For a group that simply gained its eleventh recreation of the 12 months, the Cowboys simply can’t appear to win. All 12 months lengthy, they’ve been accused of being frauds as a result of they have been blowing out dangerous groups. It was stated they’d by no means beat group and for that purpose they’d wilt within the playoffs.
Then, when the Cowboys blew out the Eagles of their rematch towards them, the narrative shifted to the Cowboys’ struggles on the highway. It was handy, for the reason that Cowboys had a two-game highway journey towards two of the very best groups within the AFC. They dropped each of them, however the second recreation was a really slender loss to the Dolphins.
Then they returned dwelling to host a Lions group that simply gained their division for the primary time since 1993. Detroit has been remodeled from a perennial doormat to a troublesome, bodily imposing group that persistently wins on the margins. In some ways, they’re every part the Cowboys have labored in direction of changing into since Mike McCarthy grew to become the top coach.
To nobody’s shock, the sport was an in depth one. It felt just like the Cowboys have been controlling issues within the first half, however a fumble out of the endzone prevented Dallas from opening up a giant lead. That permit the Lions hold round, which is once they grow to be most harmful. And all of it culminated in a gutsy two-point conversion try (tried thrice) that in the end decided the end result of the sport.
The Cowboys emerged victorious, profitable 20-19. They acquired right into a knife combat with a playoff group and managed to make only a few additional performs to win. Every week in the past, they have been in the identical scenario however discovered themselves on the opposite facet, having wanted just a few additional performs.
It was the second straight recreation that completely simulated the kind of battle the Cowboys will seemingly discover themselves in throughout the playoffs. And each occasions, they have been prepared for the combat. Each occasions, the offense did its factor and scored a go-ahead landing within the fourth quarter. Each occasions, the protection acquired walked throughout on the ultimate drive of the sport, however they made one additional cease this second time round. That needs to be encouraging.
After all, the naysayers can nonetheless level to the struggles on the highway, however that criticism carries rather less weight now. Why? As a result of the Cardinals upset the Eagles on Sunday, which now means this group is a win over the horrible Commanders away from locking up the NFC East and the second seed within the NFC.
That additionally means they get to host a playoff recreation and, ought to they win, host one other one the next week. For a group that may apparently solely beat good groups once they’re at dwelling, that’s big. There may be additionally a pointy irony in the truth that the Cowboys need to go on the highway and win a recreation with a purpose to safe homefield benefit for the primary spherical of the playoffs.
One thing tells me McCarthy wouldn’t need it every other method. The Cowboys have been a unique group popping out of their bye, particularly on offense. The pinnacle coach, now in his first season since 2018 calling performs, spent the week off making an attempt to good the offense and get into a greater rhythm with Dak Prescott. Since then, the Cowboys are second in each EPA/play and offensive success price, whereas Prescott has grow to be a official MVP candidate.
They’re additionally 7-3 since then, with all of their wins coming at dwelling. Three of these wins got here towards playoff groups, and it might grow to be 4 if the Seahawks handle to make the postseason too. Now it’ll take only one extra win to ensure a minimum of another recreation in AT&T Stadium, one thing the Cowboys have wished all 12 months. They know precisely what they’re able to in that stadium, and now they’re battle examined too.
The Cowboys need to be feeling actually assured as they put together for the playoffs, and rightfully so.
