Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles: Potential outcomes fuel emotions

The Dallas Cowboys must defeat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday to secure playoff destiny. Varying emotions will hinge on the outcome.

On Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CT, the collective gasp of air heard just before kickoff will provide evidence of how closely Dallas Cowboys fans will be watching this game.

Cowboys fans desperately want to believe the sleeping giant has awoken. But the grim reality is their newfound hopes have been tossed in the trash one too many times by the Jason Garrett regime.

Over his first three seasons as full-time Cowboys head coach, Garrett’s team faced a win-and-in situation for the division title. They flopped on each occasion. Few Dallas fans will forget the 22-20 burning defeat at the hands of these very Eagles in 2013.

2019 has seen an uninspiring, disappointing march for the Cowboys head general. Being so, the potential outcomes on Sunday would produce vastly different, emotional reactions.

RESOUNDING COWBOYS VICTORY (8+ POINTS)

No amount of reality checks will keep a large majority of Dallas fans from pronouncing resurgence after a dominating victory on Sunday. Fresh off trouncing the Rams, a commanding road win over the hated Eagles would ignite a firestorm.

Logic will say they were supposed to beat this crippled, waning opponent. The 0-3 record against NFC playoff teams cannot be dismissed. Cowboys Nation will say otherwise. Slap around this rival at their house and the navy blue Kool-Aid will flow.

HOTLY CONTESTED DALLAS WIN (1 – 7 POINTS)

This winning margin excludes garbage points. A late, two-score Dallas lead would move into the domination category even if a worthless backdoor touchdown made it appear closer. This outcome refers to Dallas squeaking by in a four-quarter dogfight.

‘A win is a win’ in the NFL. However, the weak condition of the Eagles added to multiple big game failures would cast a big shadow of doubt. With the season on the line, Dallas would have barely escaped a team with no business in playoff contention.

Many fans would cite excuses and fake a newfound confidence, but deep down they would remain skeptical of competing against a 10+ win wild card opponent. Nudging out a soft Philly team would hardly confirm the notion of getting hot at the right time.

GARRETT BECOMES FOUR-TIME, 8-8 FAILURE

If Dallas loses by any margin in a clinching opportunity on Sunday, the fan base will go scorched earth and scream to burn it down. Even a final Eagles loss and backdoor playoff entry wouldn’t subdue the disdain from Cowboys Nation.

Garrett’s last hope to return would then hinge on an NFC Conference Championship berth following a Philly collapse. One win shy of a Super Bowl trip might satisfy the owner. Yet Dallas fans would know even making the playoffs was fool’s gold.

With zero confidence remaining following a loss to the Eagles, most Cowboys fans would wish for another final defeat in Washington. After all, nine losses would secure better draft position for the new head coach.

My prediction is the Cowboys will eek out a close, ugly win. A return to playing it safe and inconsistency will keep fans confused. Many will ponder if a playoff trip is even worth increased potential of Jerry Jones once again rewarding his fixed ceiling coach.