NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys fans have to be fairly pleased as the Cowboys enter their bye week. The team has a 6-2 record. Take away one horrific quarter against the Eagles along with the complete disaster that was the Cowboys’ offense in week one and they have exceeded most experts. They beat both Super Bowl teams from last season as well.
The Biggest Difference
The Cowboys aren’t worried about the “style,” they play, rather they have been far more focused on the end results. Finally, after all my begging and pleading for many years, this has been the case in 2022. Complain all you want about only getting 5th round pick for Amari Cooper, whine and cry about Ezekiel Elliott getting more touches than Tony Pollard or his contract. The bottom line remains the team is playing WINNING football. There is a different mentality in Dallas at long last folks. Look no further than the 4-1 record with backup Cooper Rush as the quarterback. They didn’t fall apart as many thought would happen. Sorry all you Mike McCarthy haters, he has done a very good job so far. Yes, I know playoff wins will determine his fate, however you need to win in the regular season to get there. Dalton Schultz misses a game no biggie, rookies Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot fill in quite nicely. Week 8 Zeke is out, Tony Pollard steps in as the next man up and has a very good game.
Exceeding Expectations
The first to come to mind has to be Tyler Smith. I will admit I didn’t have much faith he could cope at left tackle as a rookie based on what we saw of him at Tulsa. Sure there’s been a few penalties here and there, but overall he has not been a liability which is quite rare for a rookie left tackle. After his horrendous performance in week one, Terence Steel at right tackle has also been awfully good overall. On defense, while he hasn’t been perfect Leighton Vander Esche has been pretty good playing on a prove-it one-year deal as well. No one but no one though can equal what Cooper Rush did in terms of exceeding expectations. A 4-1 record filling for Dak Prescott, wasn’t pretty at all, but it was effective.
The Disappointments
For many in Cowboys Nation, the disappointments begin and end with dear old Jerry and his son Stephen of course. They didn’t sign this free agent or that free agent, they didn’t trade for a wide receiver at the deadline. I keep sounding like a broken record, it’s the way they operate. Life would be easier folks if you ignore what they say. I give both very little attention. Not having a healthy Tyron Smith is a disappointment that I’ve learned to live with, although it would have been interesting to see a Smith at left tackle and left guard, it wasn’t to be. Some would say Anthony Brown has been disappointing and at times that is the case. Just remember teams are not testing Trevon Diggs as often so it’s Brown they go after.
The Second Half
The Cowboys travel to Green Bay and Minnesota then return home for Thanksgiving Day to face the Giants. after that, it’s the struggling Colts, Texans, and Jaguars, before what will be a revenge game against the Eagles on Christmas Eve (Bah humbug Philly) the final two games are against the Titans and finally the Commanders. If they don’t take anyone for granted and given how this defense has performed they can go 7-2 or even 8-1 to finish off the regular season. How can I be so bold to say such a thing? Simple folks, they have outside of the Bears game where the defense took some of the game off, they’ve been awfully good at not playing down to their opponents. The Packers have been terrible, and the Vikings have really only faced one good team (and lost). Do any of the AFC South teams really scare you other than maybe Derrick Henry going off for a big game for the Titans? Do you think Dan Quinn won’t have a different game plan for the second Eagles game? So love us or hate us, the Dallas Cowboys are poised to have an excellent finish to the regular season. Hopefully, they remain healthy and hungry come the playoffs.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregsCowboys
