Dallas Cowboys still in full control their own destiny

The Dallas Cowboys not only limped along, but they did better than anyone thought they would when Dak Prescott went down. The defense has shown up in every game since the Buccaneers and has kept the Cowboys firmly in the playoff chase. The offense suffered, but it was enough to get the team to this point. The Cowboys are starting to ramp up Dak Prescott to return, and the offense can only go up at this point.

While the Philadephia Eagles remain the only undefeated team, and the surprising New York Giants have only lost one game, the Cowboys are firmly in control of their own destiny at this point. Even with the loss, the Cowboys are in sixth place in the playoff picture. With another game against the Eagles, and another against the Giants whom they have already beaten, the Cowboys, have a great shot from this point forward.

The Dallas Cowboys control their destiny for the playoffs as they are slowly getting healthy, starting with the return of Dak Prescott.

The offense has struggled and Cooper Rush had gotten away with some poor throws that opponents couldn’t convert into a turnover. The Eagles created three off of bad Rush throws, and yet the Cowboys were in the game until the third of Rush’s interceptions iced the game. If the offense can get better, and with Dak Prescott it absolutely should, then the Cowboys are setting themselves up for a mid to late-season push.

We have seen over the years if a team can get hot at the right time, they can do some damage in the playoffs, Now there are still some limitations on this offense, even with Dak Prescott returning, but the defense can carry this team if this offense does get better. Dak coming back will help if the defense has an off game or two.

While we will still have better run blocking than pass blocking, some questionable coaching decisions (like not challenging the CeeDee Lamb spot), odd playcalling, and drops by the wide receivers, a better quarterback with a stronger arm can help overcome some of these issues. Barring more serious injury issues, the Cowboys are going to be able to ride the defense while the offense figures it all out.

What helps is the Giants are a flawed team with a shaky quarterback and the Eagles have looked very beatable, but have had some luck on their side. The Commanders meanwhile are a heated mess, you know a mess that when heat is applied to it so now even messier (A Pitch Perfect 2 reference there). That leaves the East winnable, but it also shows the entire NFC is winnable.

The Cowboys went into the Eagles game with house money. While the loss hurts, it doesn’t hurt in the grand scheme of making the playoffs. Sure, it would be nice to win the NFC or the NFC East, just making the playoffs and peaking at the right time is all the Cowboys really need to do. The destiny is theirs, Dak coming back helps them control that destiny.