There are four weeks left in the NFL regular season, and for the Dallas Cowboys, it’s do or die. The team’s chances of making the postseason got slimmer after its loss to the Detroit Lions last Thursday, but NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles have kept the door open for the Cowboys to steal the division title.
In recent memory, the Cowboys have come up short in these situations. The team has lacked a backbone and discipline stemming from mediocre coaching and what could be a dysfunctional front office at times. Now, however, America’s Team seems to be shifting the tide under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
It's Time for Cowboys to Officially Cement New Era in Dallas
The record may not indicate it thus far, but Schottenheimer has been a revelation for Cowboys fans. At the time of his hiring, many questioned general manager Jerry Jones’ decision to elevate him from offensive coordinator instead of hiring an “already proven” coach. Since then, Schottenheimer has led the league’s best offense and has become the “player-coach” every team seeks to find.
From rocking “shiesty” ski masks in practice to Dak Prescott having his best season yet, the Cowboys were in the midst of a season-defining stretch. Dallas carried a three-game win streak, highlighted by beating both Super Bowl 59 participants in back-to-back weeks, into Detroit. Despite the streak ending there, the Cowboys showed great resolve up until that point.
The comeback victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 (trailing 21-0) was a sign of a potential shift in culture. The team didn’t roll over for the defending champs and let them blow them out of their home stadium; improvement from past seasons.
But the vibes have been different all season. There’s a sense of camaraderie that seemed foreign under previous head coaches. Regardless of wins, losses, and yes, a draw, Schottenheimer looks to have a grip on the locker room, and the players are rallying around him in the good and bad.
The loss of Marshawn Kneeland wasn’t easy on anyone, especially for those men in the locker room. However, it only gave the team something more to play for in the midst of their three-game win streak. That alone speaks to the leadership and cultivation of Schottenheimer.
Dallas has four winnable games left on the schedule. If the team wants the perception of the franchise to change, this is the opportunity to do so. Regardless of whether they clinch a playoff berth or not, going out on their own terms falls squarely on how they decide to finish the season. Not only is it important for this year, but for what Schottenheimer and company are building for the future.