Box Checking and History Making
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Since the week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys have won three straight games, outscoring their opponents, 127-37. Three boxes checked, emphatically. The latest two, coming at the expense of the Carolina Panthers and divisional rival, Washington Commanders. The Panthers were undone by a clean, efficient game from Dak Prescott and a relentless defence. The Commanders unstuck from great play calling, an explosive Cowboys offence and a little bit of defensive NFL history.
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Daron Bland became the first player in NFL history to have 5 pick sixes in a season. He still has six games left. The second-year defensive back was incredible in the slot in his rookie year but has since been asked to play on the perimeter, after the season ending injury to Trevon Diggs. The thought of both of these playmakers on the field at the same time, with the current pass rush that Dallas has, is scary. With hopes that Trevon comes back from his ACL injury sound, this cornerback duo could be the best in the league for the foreseeable future. Daron Bland should win defensive player of the year, period. He has just made NFL HISTORY! If he does, he will be the first DB since his current teammate, Stephon Gilmore did it in 2019 with an extremely similar stat line.
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The Cowboys now leave their easy three game streak behind them, professionally coming out with three victories. However, now they face a stretch of games, which will be very telling of how far they can go in this post season. Admittedly, this run looks a little easier than it did on paper at the beginning of the season, with the Bills being somewhat of an unpredictable team, the Lions who have just shown their first real signs of vulnerability to a now 5-6, Jordan Love lead Packers team and the Eagles, who you were so close to beating last time out and their diminishing resources on defence.
Dallas’ offensive woes seemed to have been corrected in the last few weeks, which may come down to the continuity they now have on the offensive line and that, they may be coming out the other side of their growing pains, from a change of offensive co-ordinator. Either way, Dak Prescott is playing, arguably, the best football of his entire career right now. A proclamation, soon to be tested by better teams on a stretch that could see them become a real contender for this year’s Superbowl.
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On to Seattle!