There was a lot of talk a few weeks ago that with the Cowboys’ record, it was best to keep losing to get a high pick in the 2021 Draft. However, the division as a whole has been totally hit. And the scene changed radically on bye week in Dallas, when the Giants beat the Eagles. At the time, just two teams had three division wins. Now this weekend, both the Washington team and the Cowboys have won and now all hold a 3-7 record. Except for Philadelphia who have a 3-6-1 record thanks to that draw against the Bengals for Week 3.
Now, something that has to be portrayed is the great level that the Cowboys showed against Minnesota this weekend. It was certainly the best game of the season for the team. In a campaign without preseason games, with a new coaching staff, in addition to a large number of injuries and testing different players in various positions with very poor results.
Dalton x Dalton for the GAME-WINNING TD.
(via @nfl) | #CowboysNationpic.twitter.com/T0Ed7Ccu4O
— SportsDay Cowboys (@dmn_cowboys) November 23, 2020
Also, take into consideration that the team lost in week 5 to the leader of its dressing room, quarterback Dak Prescott. With the level that the team showed against the Vikings, even against the Steelers, perhaps the organization would have better results at this time. Now, it must also be seen that with Prescott in the field the results were not exactly favorable. The team finished with a 2-3 record after their abrupt exit in the game against the Giants.
So we’re not just talking about Prescott being able to save the team by himself. The defense was lousy, allowing yards both in the air and on the ground. And the offense was delivering the ball to rivals several times. In conclusion, this team did not depend solely on its quarterback, there were a lot of adjustments that had to be made.
If Dallas manages to win the rest of the games it has on its schedule, we are talking about a 9-7 record that could put them in the postseason. What’s more, with an 8-8 record and even a 7-9 they could access, but that will depend on the rest of the rivals in the division.
The tank is over for now. Cowboys are one win from leading the NFC East, and are absolutely ‘good’ enough to win it. I’m not convinced this team has the talent to put up any serious challenge if they make the playoffs, but with Dak Prescott potentially back, who knows…
— Dan Turner (@dtsturner) November 23, 2020
At the moment, all this theory of losing to obtain a high selection in the Draft has gone down the pipe and everything seems to indicate that the Cowboys want the division. And that’s very good, a selection among the top five of 2021 is useless if the team continues to play mediocre. The intention is also to see how the rookies of this year’s Draft are handled, as well as all the elements that end the contract and see if they have what it takes to stay in the franchise.
In fact, speaking of the Draft issue, certain factors must be taken into account. Like for example the fact that a player who is supposed to finish among the first selected, can go down drastically. The perfect example this year has been CeeDee Lamb, who finished with Dallas in the 17th pick. It is extremely strange to think about the fact that none of the other 16 teams did not consider the Oklahoma prospect. However, they are situations that occur. Organizations decide what they need to improve positions and the Cowboys selected an element to improve on offense. For better or for worse, the young man has paid off. And it’s not that Dallas got it in pick four or five, it was in 17.
As already mentioned, it is better to have a winning team that fights than a loser that conforms. After Prescott’s return at some point in the first months of 2021, there has to be a competitive team that knows how to stand up to major rivals.
Just like that I’m back to believing the Cowboys can win the Super Bowl. This time is different. They’ve changed.
– Rob Zastryzny (@ RobZastryzny_8) November 23, 2020
And while it is true that some say that going to the postseason is useless, you have to think twice about that statement. Because analyzing things well, if the team stays on a winning path and playing well, it will be a rival to fear in the playoffs. In addition, they will count on the fact that the first game would be at home. This would give new players to the franchise a boost and create a winning mentality that regardless of the outcome, would put them in a position to make greater achievements in the future.
Either way, these are just hypotheses. With everything that has happened this year, it would not be unreasonable to think that the Cowboys could make the Super Bowl. Playing from less to more, it is not the first time something like this has been seen, and less in the NFL. Don’t forget about the 2011 New York Giants season.
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!! IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE I FELT THIS WAY.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 23, 2020
In the words of journalist Skip Bayless, perhaps many fans have not felt that way for a long time. Beat a team with postseason aspirations and with the authority with which they did it. They are expected to maintain this attitude against the Washington team this Thursday, and partially be the leaders of the division and defeating a direct rival. The Cowboys have everything available to go to the postseason, they just have to do their part.
