Dallas Cowboys are playing for a free bye week this Sunday
By Reid Hanson
The Dallas Cowboys are preparing to face the Philadelphia Eagles this week in a classic NFC East showdown but Dallas has more to gain than just a pass to the postseason…
Everyone knows the division is on the line this Sunday in Philadelphia. If the Dallas Cowboys win, they win the division. If they lose, Philly’s in the drivers seat. When the schedule came out this summer we circled this date because we knew – we just knew – this game would be huge. Low and behold it is living up to it’s billing, and frankly, there’s even more on the line than just the NFC East crown. An unofficial bye week is on the line.
That’s because a victory at “the Linc” seals the Dallas Cowboys playoff seeding making Week 17 meaningless in every tangible way. Because whether the Cowboys enter the postseason 8-8 or 9-7, the result is the same: Dallas will play host in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
What this means
Since Week 17 would essentially be pointless, Dallas can take the opportunity of utilizing an unofficial bye week for their battered and bruised veterans. Ya think Dak Prescott‘s fractured finger could use a week off from action? How Amari Cooper? Think he could use a break? Tyron Smith could always use relief for his his back. Add Sean Lee and Zack Martin to the list of important veterans needing rest.
Now, every team wants to enter the postseason on a high note, and mailing in a Week 17 match-up with Washington may not be a very good high note. But neither is putting players in jeopardy in nothing more than an exhibition game.
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It’s no secret why many teams have a higher winning percentage coming off a bye. Extra time off lets players heal and gives coaches more time to plan. Keep in mind, even though Dallas will play host in the first round, they will likely be a significant underdog playing against someone like the San Francisco 49ers or Seattle Seahawks. They could use an extra week to rest/prepare.
But first they gotta win
The saying, “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” comes to mind. It always seems the moment we start believing in this team they go out and epically disappoint. This isn’t that. This is merely pointing out how important this game is coming up and that it potentially positions the Cowboys to upset someone in Round 1. If the Cowboys are able to continue their winning ways and beat the Eagles this Sunday, the’re going to get an extra bonus: a Week 17 bye heading into the playoffs
Next. The Dallas Cowboys need the running game to matter again. dark
This week in Philly, the Dallas Cowboys are playing for more than just a ticket to the postseason. They are playing for a chance to rest and prepare an extra week. It’s safe to say Week 16 is even more important than we imagined.
- Published on 12/18/2019 at 12:01 PM
- Last updated at 12/18/2019 at 08:59 AM