3 things we have learned about the Cowboys entering Week 10

A terrible season for the Cowboys is likely to get worse this week.

The Dallas Cowboys are set to take on the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. Unlike their battles from a season ago, the Cowboys aren’t one of the better teams in the NFL. Instead, they’re one of the lesser squads. At 3-5, currently on a three-game losing streak, and riddled with injuries, the Cowboys are staring down a dark hole at the moment with very little hope of turning their season around.

Offensively, the Cowboys aren’t a juggernaut like they’ve been in years past. On the defensive side of the ball, they have fallen from what they’ve been over the last three seasons as they rank 26th overall. Plus, they’ve only forced six turnovers, which is tied for the second-fewest in the league. Now, they face an Eagles team that is flying high on a four-game winning streak and will likely hand the Cowboys a fourth consecutive loss. So, here’s three things that we have learned about the Cowboys heading into Week 10.

The team should consider shutting down Dak Prescott for the season

Dallas just can’t catch a break on the injury front. Prescott suffered what is being described as a partial avulsion of his hamstring, which is partially torn off the bone. According to doctor Jesse Morse, owner of Injury Expertz, this could take up to six weeks if he doesn’t have surgery or up to 10 weeks if he doesn’t. He also mentions that this could linger in some capacity for the rest of his life. So, with him heading for injured reserve, which would keep him out at least until early December, and a longer expected time of recovery, the Cowboys will likely be looking at a situation where they won’t have a realistic shot at the playoffs when he is ready to return. If that’s the case, Dallas needs to consider the long-term health of Prescott and shut him down until 2025.

Rico Dowdle keeps showing he’s the team’s RB1

We all heard before the season that the Cowboys were going to have a committee approach to the running back room. Dowdle had the best game of his career rushing wise against the Pittsburgh Steelers with 87 yards on 20 carries in Week 5. However, he only saw five attempts the following week against the Detroit Lions in favor of Ezekiel Elliott. A week ago against the Atlanta Falcons, Dowdle was once again effective with 75 yards on 12 carries. It’s clear that the Cowboys should just ride the Dowdle wave at running back until he needs a rest here and there during a game. Otherwise, keep him on the field because the aforementioned Elliott and veteran Dalvin Cook are averaging a just 3.1 and 2.5 yards per rush, respectively. The running game is a mess in Dallas, but Dowdle should get the bulk of the workload every game until the season ends.

Cowboys’ current losing streak will likely last several more weeks

After the Cowboys take on the Eagles, they have the Houston Texans and the Washington Commanders after that. Anything is possible, but all of these teams have at least six wins, and they’re clearly better teams than Dallas. With Cooper Rush set the be the starting quarterback for at least the next month and half or so, the terrible play of the offensive line, a suspect running game, and a soft defense, it doesn’t seem like another win is coming any time soon for the Cowboys. Simply put, this season is a disaster with no end in sight.