4 teams that could stand in the way of Cowboys’ Super Bowl hopes
![ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a pass during the fourth quarter of the NFL game between Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a pass during the fourth quarter of the NFL game between Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2021-2F12-2F1355572147-850x560-60f46597ca9687330a68e3e50562166e0619568efb2fd657c3c7f6688dfc7c68.jpg)
3. The Arizona Cardinals
Let’s start with the positives. The Arizona Cardinals losing their Monday Night Football game to the Rams was very helpful for the Cowboys. The Cowboys were two games behind the Cards entering Week 15. Additionally, news broke on Wednesday that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is likely out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Plus, running back Chase Edmonds and now James Conner (as of the MNF game) are also dealing with ankle injuries.
Unfortunately for the Arizona Cardinals, the expectation is that DeAndre Hopkins will be out for the rest of the regular season due to a knee injury.https://t.co/MKyc5uRy3o
— FanSided (@FanSided) December 15, 2021
The bad news is more important. The Cardinals are a great team who have yet to lose on the road. In fact, they haven’t had an opponent come within 10 points on the road. That will be a huge factor when the birds head to AT&T Stadium to face the Cowboys in Week 17. This NFC matchup is easily the biggest game for the ‘Boys in the remainder of their season. If I were you, I’d view this as a test of whether the Cowboys even have a chance at being real contenders in the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl.
Kyler Murray is an elite quarterback, and the Cowboys have yet to face an elusive quarterback like him this season. Murray is currently leading the league in completion percentage at 71.6%, which ties him for the fourth-best ever in a single season. So, despite the recent defensive dominance, the Cowboys will have their hands full with Murray and company.
Luckily for Dallas, in terms of seeding, the Cardinals still have a decently tough schedule ahead. Aside from the Cowboys, the Cards will face the Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks. The last two teams aren’t great, but they’re better than the Giants — yes, even the 1-11-1 squad is better than the Mike Glennon Giants. Regardless, a Cowboys loss to Arizona in that Week 17 game obviously doesn’t help where they end up in the standings.
If Murray is in full health, you can expect him to roll into AT&T Stadium ready to put a struggling Dak Prescott to shame before the playoffs even start.