The Dallas Cowboys giving out black eyes: 5 thoughts

Dallas Cowboys. Washington Redskins. Thanksgiving. This game measures who the ‘Boys are. With division bragging rights on the line, will Big D win?

Yup. All the faces around the Dallas Cowboys are in smiling mode. The Cowboys, standing strong at 5-5, welcome the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium for prime television. The reality show called the America’s Team deserves some eyeballs right now. Dallas has somehow found a way out of a black hole, and in surprising fashion, are handing teams black eyes.

The Philadelphia Eagles have spun away at 4-6, losing three of their last four games. Instead of “Fly Eagles, fly,” team Eagles have landed and could be spending the holidays from the couch. Meanwhile, Washington dropped to 6-4 and in disastrous fashion, their star quarterback in Alex Smith was injured.

A few weeks ago, the Cowboys were basically writing themselves out of the storyline, falling back as pretenders while other NFC teams stalk the playoff picture. Now, in what could be a career-defining game for head coach Jason Garrett, the ‘Boys are fighting for the division lead on Thursday.

Honestly, I’m surprised. You should be surprised, too. Regardless, how about dem Cowboys? Well, let me spill some quick thoughts.

1. Cowboys threw a super punch

We said it over and over again, the stretch between Philadelphia in Week 10 to Philadelphia in Week 14 is the hardest part. During that span, the Cowboys play the Eagles twice, the Falcons, Saints, and Redskins.

So far, America’s Team is 2-0.  Folks, this is the stretch where it counts. Where it really, really counts. You got to give this team credit because for a minute there, it was all but over after the Tennessee loss.

2.  The receiver ripped effect

The Amari Cooper boost is real. Look no further than Ezekiel Elliott, the offensive line, and the rest of the receiving core. Dak Prescott might be throwing to others, but Cooper is grabbing the eyeballs from defenses. Receivers matter. The good ones can change the DNA of a team. Bye, bye receiver committee.

3. Tony Romo to Dak Prescott, Sean Lee to Leighton Vander Esch

From number 50 to number 55, the Dallas Cowboys are once again bridging the present with the future. At the close of business Sunday night, Leighton Vander Esch ranked fifth in the NFL with 84 combined tackles. He has started five games out of 10. He is 22-years old. Let that sink in your world.

4. Defense wins … (Insert your thoughts here)

The defense won buzz during the hot months of summer. Now, they are proving the talk with their walk. The identity in the defense is only shaping up — we haven’t even seen what the defense can truly do yet. The ceiling is still being determined.

If Sean Lee returns alongside Jaylon Smith and Vander Esch, look out! Lee has 27 tackles in five games. With the defense just warming up, and say the ‘Boys get into the tournament, who knows where this defense could drive to.

5. Jason Garrett allows dumbo size plays

Hold on. Guys, you know I have to file a complaint, despite an emotional win in the big ATL. With a dummy penalty on the special teams, when yards and plays mattered in the close game, Garrett didn’t do anything to the guy committing the foul.

He just slaps his helmet. Another way to look at: he just used the guy’s helmet to slam his hands for a clap. He did nothing. Didn’t yell at him. Nothing. Does anyone else have a problem with this or am I crazy? This guy can’t shake his cheerleader mode no matter the circumstance.