Ugly would be a good way to describe the opening of the 2017 Dallas Cowboys season. We all knew this would be a more difficult year for Dallas and that they probably wouldn't be able to match the 13 wins mark they achieved in 2016.
Even still, I believe very few would've thought that the Cowboys would go 2-3 to start the season. Dallas has suffered two straight losses at home, including a game in which they were leading with less than a minute and a half on the clock.
To make it worse, as of right now, superstar Running Back Ezekiel Elliott is suspended for six games.
If you're a part of Cowboys Nation, you know there are plenty of reasons to be upset about this season.
However, there is a ton of football left to play for this young Dallas Cowboys team. 11 games, to be precise. Yes. This team still has playoff hopes. Although a lot of people want to convince you otherwise, you better believe it.
No, the Cowboys have not been dominant. In fact, they have been mediocre. But truth be told, legitimate threats are not something the NFC currently has in abundance. Right now, the best teams in the conference are the Philadelphia Eagles (5-1), the Carolina Panthers (4-2) and the Los Angeles Rams (4-2).
Naturally, the Eagles are the biggest threat for this Cowboys team, as they control their own destiny and can end up taking the division championship home. This would force the Cowboys to fight for a Wildcard spot to be able to play in January.
Dallas is sitting at third place in the NFC East standings, and that is discouraging… except it isn't the end of the world. On top of the Cowboys are the Redskins and the Eagles, who haven't played Dallas at all this season.
Here's the deal. If this team is able to beat the 49ers and the Redskins in the next couple of weeks, this is a 4-3 team. Washington and Philly are playing each other next week and one of them will be adding a game to their loss column.
Jason Garrett and his squad aren't that far away from the top of the division as it may seen. Have you seen this NFL season? It's been a crazy, crazy year. Anything can happen, anytime.
With an offense led by Dak Prescott, a young secondary that will improve every week, a defensive line featuring Lawrence and Irving, and Hitchens and Lee back at linebacker, we should have hopes on this Cowboys team.
While winning the division might be a challenge after the Eagles' 5-1 start, a Wildcard spot is a very big possibility. The Cowboys are a good team that happens to have a few flaws. But look around the league, they are not the only ones.
Here's to 11 more games, and hopefully more. Go Cowboys!
