Cowboys fans across the world are wrestling with their emotions after the team falls short to the Philadelphia Eagles in a 26-17 loss. The Cowboys now sit at 4-2, but did the Cowboys really “lose” on Sunday night?
We knew coming into this game against the Eagles that the Cowboys needed to score points in order to keep up with Philadelphia's offense. They couldn't.
They also couldn't protect the football, as Cooper Rush finally came down to reality and turned the ball over three times. The offense could not get going (as we've seen all season) and there were no answers on defense for stopping the Eagles from running the ball.
We know how good this defense can be
This was the first game the Cowboys' defense allowed over 20 points so far in the season. We also got confirmation that this defense struggles against the run.
Will they improve? I believe so. But what we do need to know about this team going forward is how this offense can get going. The answer is right around the corner it seems, as Dak Prescott looks to return to the field this week against the Detroit Lions.
This offense has severely missed Prescott and his ability to extend plays – something that Cooper Rush hasn't been capable of doing. Let's give Rush his credit because he has helped manage this team to a 4-2 record, which nobody thought was even possible when Prescott went down in week one.
The Cowboys need Dak Prescott and this offense needs to find its rhythm
Dallas is in great shape and still very much in the running for the playoffs. With Prescott back in the lineup, the Cowboys will be a complete football team that can hang with anybody in the NFL. Just last year, the Cowboys had the #1 scoring offense in the league.
Dak Prescott is stepping into the most perfect situation a quarterback can ask for — a 4-2 team with an offense that can run the ball effectively and is accompanied by a great defense.
Prescott doesn't have to be the hero anymore, and as long as Dak can take care of the football, the possibilities are endless for this offense and this team as a whole.
So while the Cowboys may have another loss on their record, the team didn't “lose” anything; they remain relatively healthy and there is still plenty to be hopeful for. Dallas may now sit in third place in the NFC East behind the Eagles and Giants, but when you really look into these teams, Dallas isn't that far behind, if at all.
The Cowboys will face all of their divisional opponents again this year, and a win against all three of those teams can almost guarantee a division win and a ticket to the playoffs.
