Amazing: The Dallas Cowboys are 10-4 without even playing a complete game

After starting the season 6-1 and enduring a two-game slowing streak along the way, the Dallas Cowboys have won three consecutive road games for a 10-4 record, are in first place in the NFC East, and sitting as the #2 seed in the NFC playoff picture. If the Cowboys win their remaining three games (which is highly possible) and the Green Bay Packers lose at least once, then they can secure the #1 seed.

The fact the Dallas Cowboys have an impressive 10-4 record is not a surprise right now, but the manner in how and why the Dallas Cowboys came to 10 wins is what’s surprising. This last half of the season the Cowboys offense has been going through a mini-slump of sorts, and the defense has been the one leading the way.

This has been a total flip from earlier in the year and a important reminder this team has yet to play a complete game on both sides of the ball.

The Dallas Cowboys have yet to play a complete game on both sides of the ball.

Yeah, I know it sounds crazy, but I will explain it…

A Revamped Defense

As the Dallas sits atop the NFC East, the most impressive thing to discuss right now is the dominance of their opportunistic defense. In their last three games, Dallas’ defense has forced 12 turnovers, scored two defensive touchdowns, recorded eight sacks, and picked off eight interceptions. Dallas’ defense is playing on a championship level in all phases of the game. My Gawd!

As talented as this team is on both sides of the ball, they have never played a complete game where the offense and defense were dominant for an entire game. Pick a game and it was one-sided.  I

Trevon Diggs is leading the entire NFL with 10 interceptions, rookie Micah Parsons has 12 sacks as a DPOY/DROY candidate, Randy Gregory (6.0 sacks), DeMarcus Lawrence (1.0), and Dorance Armstrong (2.5 sacks) are the “War Daddies”.

Those are the top dogs leading the way, but the supporting cast of Neville Gallimore, Carlos Watkins, Osa Odighizuwa, Trysten Hill, Quinton Bohanna, Leighton Vander Esch, Jourdan Lewis, Anthony Brown, Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse, and a few other unsung heroes are playing at the top of their games as well.

That’s definitely a top-10 defense that ranks seventh in points allowed at 20.9, not bad for a defense that ranked dead last the previous season and was statistically the worst in franchise history.

Regardless of the competition Dallas has faced lately, those gaudy defensive stats are the makings of champions. Period. This group has carried the offense because of their recent struggles and now the Dallas D is tied for first in the league in takeaways with the Indianapolis Colts.

If Dallas’ defense can continue on this trajectory, NFC opponents are in big trouble.

More importantly, Dallas’ defense has the majority of its players performing at an elite level; therefore, we’re witnessing their best capabilities every Sunday. But that’s just the defense finally finding their groove because the offense had been so dominant before the slump.

Because D-Law, Gregory, Gallimore and other defensive linemen missed several games earlier in the season, Dallas’ defense gave you a glimpse of how great they would be once they got their key players back. The results are in these last three games, and it is only going to get better because this defense has the ability to pressure any quarterback by rushing ONLY four linemen.

Man… that’s special because the secondary is just waiting for the opportunity to make a big play!

A complete game is on the horizon

At the start of the season, we saw a defense feast or famine while the offense scored over 30 points a game and anchored the team as whole. That’s how Dallas won six straight games while Diggs and company forced turnovers-playing little brother to the offenses big brother.

As talented as this team is on both sides of the ball, they have never played a complete game where the offense and defense were dominant for an entire game. Pick a game and it was one-sided.  It’s always being an either-or type of situation. The best example is the last three games. Dallas’ offense has been stagnant lately, but the defense has manhandled opposing offenses.

Imagine how prolific this team will be once they bring it altogether!

The question is how soon will they get on the same page and play at an optimum level? And who would have predicted Dallas’ offense not being explosive in these last three road games? I thought the offense would put up 50 on the New York Giants, but that’s an NFC foe that was going to give their all-forget about them having a losing record.

But the good news is that Dallas’ offense will get back on track sooner rather than later because they have the offensive weapons. Besides, all of their issues are self-inflicted-Dak Prescott untimely turnovers, bland play-calling, and miscommunication between wide receivers. Once the offense complements the defense, this team will be beyond scary and championship worthy.

Dallas is 5-3 in its last eight games with three remaining against the Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals, and the Philadelphia Eagles. The toughest part of their schedule is in their rearview mirror and because of that, the aforementioned teams are facing a Dallas team that is at full strength, battled tested and motivated to capture much more than a #2 seed.

It is time for the Dallas Cowboys to focus on what lies ahead and that is playing a complete game on both sides of the ball because that is what Super Bowl-caliber teams do! BOOM