Can we expect the Dallas Cowboys to win a playoff game?

A win is a win in the NFL. From what we’ve seen, can we really expect the Dallas Cowboys to win a playoff game? Fans shouldn’t be so optimistic.

The Dallas Cowboys win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday left much to be desired. Winning the NFC East has to tempered by what we see on the field. Once again, wins don’t come easy and each game is a constant struggle.

The lone bright spot was defensive end Randy Gregory, who showed why the Cowboys have had so much patience with his off the field issues. Gregory was disruptive and opportunistic around the ball. We saw what a special talent he is when he’s right.

The defense did not have a great day at the office. While the Buccaneers were held to 20 points, the squad gave up seven first downs via penalty. We saw an uncharacteristically sloppy and undisciplined performance by the best unit on the team.

The offense did the bare minimum to win this game. While the stat sheet might show the team scored twice in their three visits to the Red Zone, let’s not forget on one possession they were set up by the Gregory fumble recovery, that was advanced to the Tampa four-yard line.

Once again, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan decided to resort to trickery with the jet sweep to wide receiver Amari Cooper, which was stopped for a loss, resulting in yet another Red Zone failure. While it would be unreasonable to expect perfection, far too many points are still being left on the field.

Quarterback Dak Prescott‘s stat line showed an impressive 20 completions out of 25 attempts. However, it’s Fool’s Gold. Prescott only threw for 161 yards, including one chunk play of 31 yards to wide receiver Michael Gallup.

Three other throws combined for 34 yards, leaving the remaining 96 yards on 16 completions, for a six-yard per catch average. It doesn’t take a mathematician or anyone with a tremendous football I.Q. to see Prescott cannot stretch the field with any consistency.

It’s quite frustrating to watch each and every game come down to the last possession by either team. This was a game where it was expected that running back Ezekiel Elliott could possibly have one of his best games as a pro. Yet he only carried the ball 18 times and was held under 100 yards.

Do Cowboy fans really believe that somehow this team will magically have a complete game in the playoffs, where mistakes and missed assignments are more magnified? I haven’t seen anything promising on the field to say otherwise.

We cannot argue with the eye test. The constant tightrope act is difficult to watch. It’s hard to be optimistic that the Dallas Cowboys will put it all together as if flipping a switch in January.

What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments section below.