The Cowboys appear content to count on players coming back from injury as the only help they need right now.
The Cowboys are now 3-4 on the season after suffering yet another loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. Seven games have come and gone and the Cowboys are still looking for answers to overcome the deficiencies of this team. The defensive line is still struggling to generate a pass rush and fill gaps in the running game. On the offense, the offensive line is struggling to protect Dak Prescott, the receivers are struggling to get separation, and the running backs have yet to break a run over 13 yards this season despite elevating Dalvin Cook on Sunday.
This season has been one of the lowest in terms of rankings amongst the other NFL teams. Currently, the Cowboys sit dead last in total rushing yards and rushing yards per game. They are also tied for last in rushing yards allowed per game (Carolina Panthers) and 31st in points allowed per game. The Cowboys are even struggling in the turnover category, one where they excelled in previous seasons, ranking 30th in the NFL with a -8 turnover differential.
It is no secret that this season has been disappointing through the first seven games, and the sand in the hourglass is running low for this team to turn things around. With 10 games left, currently third in the NFC East, there should be a sense of urgency to do just that. In order for this Cowboys team to have a chance in doing so, self-reflection needs to take place at every level of this organization. However, the front office for the Cowboys is determined to continue selling hope to the fans.
On Monday, Stephen Jones spoke with 105.3 The Fan to reiterate his confidence in the roster as it sits currently, citing the injuries on defense as the main contributor for this early adversity.
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on @1053thefan said he hasn’t had any thoughts this season that maybe this team just isn’t good enough.
“This team is made up of a lot of the same players that won 12 games the last three seasons. Right now we’re just going through adversity. We’ve had…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 28, 2024
Jerry Jones joined 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday with the same sales pitch: hope that the players coming back from injury will somehow solve all of the issues and turn the season around. “That’s what we’ve got. That’s the reality”.
#Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones: I have a lot of faith in these players. I have a lot of faith in this coaching staff.. We’ll have some players coming back (from injury) that will play critical roles for us. We ought to get better. Seventeen-game season, lets get this thing turned… pic.twitter.com/qwmpHC2dGl
— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) October 29, 2024
While these returning players will no doubt be an improvement, it is a bit negligent to say that it will be enough to get the season back on track. A lot of the struggles that are present today are the same struggles that the team faced last year and early this season when healthy. Mind you, the 49ers were also riddled with injuries this past weekend and were able to overcome it.
If the hope is that retuning players will turn this season into a “storybook ending” as Jerry Jones called it, there may not be time left for that. DaRon Bland and Micah Parsons’ status for this week is still unknown and it will be a few weeks at least before we will see the return of guys like DeMarcus Lawrence and Brandin Cooks.
When looking at where the Cowboys stand in the division, there is very little room for error. The Washington Commanders are 6-2 atop the division and the Philadelphia Eagles are on a three-game winning streak at 5-2. The Cowboys are multiple games behind and the upcoming schedule isn’t doing them any favors.
Before the season even started, it was understood that the Cowboys would have a really tough schedule, as previous playoff teams do. However, in Week 9, it looks even more daunting based on how well their opponents are doing. The next four games are the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders. Three out of the next four games are against current division leaders and likely 2024 playoff contenders.
As it looks right now, the Cowboys are sticking with the personnel and staff that they have, holding steadfast in their plan of relying heavily on young players and the guys already in-house. The trade deadline is approaching next week and there is no sign of movement on that front for the Cowboys. The window for making the playoffs in 2024 is closing quick and there is very little room for error. Will hope be enough for the Cowboys to create that storybook ending? Right now, it’s getting difficult for even the most hopeful optimists to buy in.
