Dallas Cowboys owe fans a win to force battle with Seattle
By Brad Austin
In a season filled with distractions and depleted lineups, the Dallas Cowboys owe fans a win in Oakland to force battle with Seattle.
To say Dallas Cowboys fans have been through the ringer this year is an understatement.
Nerves were rattled until Week 9 watching Ezekiel Elliott‘s status flip flop through the courts. All the while other key starters fell in and out of the lineup.
On Sunday fans will continue to hold their breath trying to even the record to 3-3 without Zeke and stay alive in the playoff race.
DEFENSE FEELS THE WRATH
Interior defensive line force David Irving missed the first four games with suspension. He was also held out last Sunday while nursing a concussion.
The two best linebackers, Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens, played only their fifth full game together last weekend. Just so happens Dallas won all five.
Starting defensive tackle Stephen Paea retired after Week 4. Even future Hall of Fame kicker Dan Bailey missed four games.
Nearly each and every week as soon as one roster issue was solved, another key starter or two fell by the wayside.
Orlando Scandrick is back at practice and will likely return Sunday. The entire starting defense could be intact for the first time since Week 9, if Irving can return from concussion protocol.
Come Sunday, the only piece left missing will be Elliott. Get past these hungry Raiders and the entire army will be ready to protect our house.
SEATTLE IS OUR PLAYOFF GAME
The fans dealt with the court battles, suspensions, injuries, politics…you name it. Through it all they remain loyal and ready to roll with their Boys.
Forget about winning out, playoff scenarios, and who needs to lose to who. The Dallas Cowboys owe their resilient fans one meaningful, fair fight with Seattle.
If Dallas loses to Oakland on Sunday and is eliminated from the playoffs, they’ll have robbed their fans of the joy and clarity they truly deserve.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve, surrounded by family, and all beating the Seahawks will do is cause harm to Dallas’ draft position. Holiday nightmare.
Now imagine the 8-6 Cowboys hosting wildcard contender Seattle the day before Christmas. Both teams very much alive and geared up for a death match.
Only this game would be different. Zeke makes his long awaited return to complete the offense. The entire starting defense is back. Full roster, no excuses.
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It’s the final game in Arlington. The home crowd is buzzing as Christmas joy and Cowboys football passion fills the air.
Seattle isn’t just a playoff elimination game, to Cowboys fans it IS our playoff game.