Following a back-breaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, there is nothing the Dallas Cowboys need more than a break. And this doesn't mean a bye week, but quite literally anything to go their way, because Brian Schottenheimer's coaching disaster is what cost them the game. This game should've gone to overtime at the very least.
Yes, there are real questions about this team, but the good news is that things will get considerably easier for the Cowboys. First up is a 0-3 Texans team, then the 0-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, but not only have the Bucs been brutal; they just lost Baker Mayfield due to a thumb injury.
Mayfield went down late in the Bucs' Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with what was later diagnosed as a dislocated thumb. Further testing revealed no fracture or tendon or ligament damage, but Todd Bowles said Mayfield is expected to miss at least three weeks.
I'm no mathematician, but even I know that three is greater than two, so he should not face Dallas in Week 5. With Mayfield likely sidelined, this means the Cowboys will faceundrafted rookie Jalon Daniels on Thursday Night Football.
Dallas cannot look past the Texans. Let me repeat that: Dallas cannot look past the Texans. But if they manage to win that interstate matchup, they'll have a Mayfield-less 0-3 Buccaneers team waiting for them on a short week.
The Cowboys will face Jalon Daniels, not Baker Mayfield, in Week 5
You never wish for injuries in this league, but it's hard to say this isn't exactly what the Cowboys needed. They're going to face Daniels in his first NFL start on primetime in Jerry's World, making an advantageous matchup look even better for a team in desperate need of momentum.
We didn't get to see much of Jalon Daniels in Sunday's loss, but what we saw wasn't pretty. He threw a game-sealing interception on the final drive, and outside of his athleticism, there isn't a ton to be excited about here, even in a Bucs offense where he'll be surrounded by good weapons.
The Bucs chose Daniels to be their backup over vet Jake Browning. He looked good in the summer and won the job with a strong preseason. However, his brief Week 3 cameo proved he isn't ready to face a starting NFL defense. So early into his career, Daniels is an emergency third QB at best, but this is a next man up league, and depserate times call for desperate measures.
Christian Parker's defense isn't exactly the '85 Bears, but the young guys have been promising, and there's enough talent here to make life difficult for Daniels. Jaishawn Barham, DeMarvion Overshown (if healthy,) and Dee Winters have the athleticism to help keep his legs in check, while Donovan Ezeiruaku and the defensive front should have opportunities to get home.
And given the Zac Robinson offense in Tampa Bay has been anemic even with Mayfield (who has regressed considerably after his new extension), it's not like the former Kansas standout will offer the spark they've been looking for.
All of the Cowboys' attention should be on the Texans, who are desperate to climb out of a 0-3 hole, but it's impossible to ignore that Dallas' Week 5 matchup just got considerably more favorable.
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