It wasn’t shocking to see the Cowboys go down in Philadelphia final Sunday. However a 41-7 blowout, particularly with Eagles QB Jalen Hurts sitting out, was fairly gorgeous. Dallas’ ineptitude on either side of the ball threw some gasoline on current fires concerning the crew’s future and opened up some questions on this weekend’s finale towards Washington.
Which QB ought to begin in Week 18?
There’s one thing about dealing with the Eagles that turns Cooper Rush from a feel-good story right into a sorry sight to behold. As soon as Philly adjusted following some first rate early drives, and even they included a horrible determination that led to a pick-six, Rush stopped trying even remotely succesful as a passer. We lastly bought to see Trey Lance, albeit for only one paltry drive on the finish.
This Sunday’s regular-season finale has Dallas internet hosting the playoff-bound Washington Commanders. Dan Quinn has already declared that his crew might be enjoying to win, desirous to protect the sixth seed within the event. So the query for the Cowboys is whether or not they are going to match that effort the perfect they will or use this final recreation to judge expertise.
One may argue that beginning Lance this week isn’t falling by the wayside. Whereas Rush did beat Washington earlier this 12 months, that was with CeeDee Lamb nonetheless within the offense. Now with none game-changers within the passing assault, one factor that would give Dallas an edge is Lance’s athleticism and the power to punish the Commanders’ typically aggressive protection.
Given how they’ve dealt with him the final two years, it’s fairly clear at this level that the Cowboys don’t consider in Lance as an asset now or sooner or later. However given what Rush placed on show final week, Lance in all probability has the perfect probability of enjoying this week that he’s ever had with Dallas.
How badly does Dallas want WR assist in 2025?
No one expects one other receiver in Dallas to be pretty much as good as CeeDee Lamb. Solely a handful of fellows in all the NFL are. However it’s turn out to be painfully apparent these final two seasons that the WR depth chart is missing and must be a precedence for the crew this offseason.
Granted, evaluating pass-catchers since Rush took over at QB hasn’t been straightforward. However even when Dak Prescott was enjoying we didn’t see a lot distinction in manufacturing. He’s solely proven sporadic chemistry with Brandin Cooks and none with Jalen Tolbert or every other choices; nothing like we noticed up to now with guys like Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson.
Whereas being older doesn’t assist, Cooks looks like a foul scheme match above all else. His finest property are underutilized in Mike McCarthy’s scheme. He’s not a superb complement to Lamb and undoubtedly not able to stepping up as a major possibility in Lamb’s absence. He shouldn’t be again subsequent 12 months, and that’s not about his expertise however this simply not being the best offense for him.
Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks, and others are all completely ample to deliver again subsequent 12 months for competitors and depth. Possibly you rely on a kind of guys rising as a strong WR3, however you possibly can’t try this and never make a extra severe funding within the number-two spot. Even when Lamb’s wholesome he wants another person to attract the protection’s consideration, and it’s particularly very important to nonetheless have an effect participant if he misses time.
Ought to we be frightened about Jake Ferguson?
Staying as regards to underwhelming receiving choices, 2024 hasn’t been the third-year explosion anybody anticipated from Dallas’ high tight finish. However whereas Ferguson’s down season is the most important disappointment of any WR or TE, his comes with essentially the most cheap excuses and room for hope going ahead.
Ferguson left Dallas’ season opener towards the Cleveland Browns with a knee harm and sat out a recreation earlier than returning in Week 3. He additionally missed two video games with a concussion in November. However regardless of nonetheless managing to play in 13 video games his manufacturing continues to be nicely in need of his 2023 numbers, together with having not scored a single landing.
There are a number of mitigating components to contemplate. For one, Ferguson’s usually appeared like a man enjoying harm. He hasn’t had the identical explosiveness after the catch, which naturally means he’s additionally going to have a harder time getting open. There’s additionally been the Cowboys’ offensive line points, forcing Ferguson to hold again extra to assist in go safety than getting out into patterns.
An absence of chemistry with Cooper Rush additionally seems to be a problem. When Ferguson was out with the concussion, Rush was doing a strong job of constructing Luke Schoonmaker and even Brevyn Spann-Ford appear like they belong within the NFL. However when Ferguson returned, we didn’t see any actual uptick from the TE place. If something, Rush seems to be much less comfy getting the ball to the starter.
The excellent news is that Ferguson nonetheless has one 12 months left on his rookie deal and Dallas doesn’t must make any massive determination on him this offseason. There’s actually sufficient room for hope his getting more healthy, and getting Dak Prescott again, will deliver subsequent season nearer to his personal normal.
