Cowboys Snap Losing Streak Against Commanders, Hope to Revitalize Season
The Dallas Cowboys broke free from the shackles of a five-game losing streak, triumphing over the Washington Commanders in a much-needed victory during Week 12. This win sees the Cowboys improving their record to 4-7, a glimmer of hope in what has otherwise been a tumultuous season.
With a staggering depletion of key players, the Cowboys had been grappling with a 3-7 record before this recent triumph. The absence of their franchise quarterback, as well as significant gaps in both their offensive and defensive lines, painted a bleak picture for the Dallas squad. However, the return of Brandin Cooks from injured reserve has been a welcome relief, and the anticipated return of DeMarcus Lawrence promises to bolster their ranks further.
Reflecting on the challenges faced, Head Coach Mike McCarthy has embraced the adversity, remarking, “As a staff, this is very challenging. As we've talked as a staff, we'll be better coaches because of this experience. I believe that. I've experienced it in the past. That's what this league's about. It's not about players getting injured. It's really when and who, the timing of it, getting the young guys ready to play as fast as possible. You have different levels of that each and every year. If you're going to coach in this league, you have to be able to coach through these times. I know all of us will be better for this experience.”
The Cowboys' recent success was in no small part due to the performance of quarterback Cooper Rush. Rush delivered a stellar performance, completing 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns against the Commanders. His completion percentage soared to a career-high of 75%, alongside an impressive passer rating of 117.6, highlighting his pivotal role in the victory.
Jourdan Lewis, a key component of the Cowboys' defense, echoed McCarthy’s sentiments on the team's resilience and newfound confidence. “It feels like that because we know what we're doing. We know what we're doing, and guys are playing hard. We're executing the right way from all 11 of us on the field. So it feels good. ... We've been pretty good historically in the past. So we definitely have that confidence in each other that we can go out there and finish games.”
This victory places the Cowboys in a delicate position. According to the SportsLine simulation model, they hold a slender 1.4% chance of making the postseason. Despite the odds, the remainder of their schedule offers a glimmer of hope. Their upcoming opponents have a combined win percentage of .448, and the Cowboys are buoyed by having the eighth-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, according to Tankathon.
The prospect of a postseason berth, admittedly distant, isn’t entirely unprecedented. Since 1990, seven NFL teams have navigated similar pathways, clawing back from 4-7 records to secure playoff spots. The 2023 Buccaneers remain a recent memory of such a comeback, having successfully reached the postseason from a similar starting position.
For the Cowboys, the road remains arduous, yet the recent victory has injected much-needed optimism into a season that teetered on the brink. As Jourdan Lewis summed up the team’s renewed mindset, “That's the plan. As a football player, as a competitor, we want to win games. We saw we were playing good ball the last few weeks. Everything as a team, it wasn't coming together. It came together in a better way last week, and I feel like that gave us the belief to say, 'We all can play good ball and win out.'”
While challenges remain, the Dallas Cowboys have demonstrated resilience and determination. With their recent performance serving as a foundation, they must now build towards consistency and capitalize on their favorable schedule. As the season progresses, the Cowboys’ journey will be one to watch, seeing if they can indeed defy the odds and make a charge towards the playoffs.