RADIO
The Dallas Cowboys haven't been able to follow the blueprint for (regular season) success that they've enjoyed over the past few seasons. Instead, they've been uncharacteristically bad all around as a team. They have a record of 3-5 through eight games and don't look much like their old selves.
There are a variety of driving forces behind their flop so far, and there's growing pessimism about their ability to turn it around. While anything can happen in this league, it's also possible for losing teams to get worse as the year wears on. There aren't always silver linings to dark clouds.
So what's happening with the 'Boys? Will they turn it around this season, or are they destined for more losing?
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What's Happened With The Dallas Cowboys So Far?
The biggest reason for their lack of success has been injuries. Primarily the one to star defensive end Micah Parsons. The defense has collapsed without his elite play. It has been unable to generate the pressure that's made it a difficult unit to beat without Parsons' All-Pro, elite ability to pressure opposing QBs and generate sacks.
Don’t mind me just posting another Micah Parsons highlight pic.twitter.com/0Wq9G7dPzi
— Dear Old State (@_DearOldState) September 17, 2023
He is a game-changer and has been compensating for a lot of the Cowboys' deficiencies this year. There is just no way you can replace a top-5 pass-rusher in the league. We've seen this before when the Pittsburgh Steelers were awful without star pass-rusher T.J. Watt.
They've also had defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, cornerback Trevon Diggs, and slot corner DaRon Bland, all who have been stars at some points in their careers, miss games due to injuries. They are a ridiculously banged-up defensive unit, and they've struggled to stop opposing offenses.
Trevon Diggs came out of the locker room before the media was welcomed inside to say something to @MikeLeslieWFAA about this tweet. https://t.co/1ppFoUcoaa pic.twitter.com/JqYSDUSGyg
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 28, 2024
The other big problem is the attitudes of the players. Dallas ingrains in its players a sense of superiority, starting with the owner, Jerry Jones. Jerry needs everything to be about Jerry, and his infectious arrogance rubs off on his players. "We're the Cowboys" is repeated like it means something, though they haven't been a playoff-relevant team in decades.
The Cowboys' coaching is also highly questionable. The team thrives when building big leads and blowing out hapless opponents, but they're like a boxer who gives up when the opposition stands firm and punches them in the mouth. They fold. Remember the playoff game they had last year?
We’ve seen this before from Aaron Jones.@Showtyme_33 loves playing in Texas against the Cowboys.
🏈Jones’ hat trick today ties a #Packers playoff record
🏈7 career rush TDs in the playoffs is the most in franchise history
🏈9 TDs in 4 games vs. Cowboyspic.twitter.com/yIksy3jFiG https://t.co/vADmT6ixGF
— Andy Morgan (@AndyMorganTV) January 15, 2024
Dallas has never been a team that can deal with serious adversity, and that's unlikely to change anytime soon. Without elite talent on both sides of the ball, it has no pathway to succeed. It is 3-5 as a result.
Will The Cowboys Make The Playoffs This Year?
Probably not. Their quarterback, Dak Prescott (hamstring), was placed on injured reserve, and he will not play for at least four more games. There's speculation that he may miss the rest of the season, and given that it's likely a lost year for "America's Team," that speculation isn't unfounded.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is headed for Injured Reserve and the only question now is... how bad is the news? pic.twitter.com/6aLFJ5xs2v
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2024
Prescott suffered a partial avulsion of his hamstring tendon -- it tore partially off the bone. That's a serious issue, and the team may be better served to not bring him back. If it wins more games, it'll have a lower draft position, and it has been struggling with him as it is.
As @SlaterNFL reported, a source confirmed Dak Prescott suffered a partial avulsion of his hamstring, which means part of the tendon has pulled away from the bone. Tyron Smith suffered a full avulsion and needed surgery. A partial avulsion does not.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 7, 2024
The Cowboys seem destined for a losing record.
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