Sunday was a litmus test for the Dallas Cowboys, and they failed miserably, falling 44-24 to the Denver Broncos in a game that, for all intents and purposes, was over midway through the third quarter.
Even if the Cowboys came up short in a competitive fashion, a case could've been made to offload a draft pick or two before the trade deadline to improve the defense. They have four first-round picks in the next two years that could fetch some serious talent. But that loss proved Dallas should just hold onto its assets.
Ever a seller of hope amid adversity, Jerry Jones stated that Sunday's result won't have any impact on the team's approach to the November 4 trade deadline.
Jerry Jones strongly hints Cowboys will be buyers at trade deadline after blowout loss
"A loss is discouraging, but as far as my temperament, if I saw a proposition for us to help this team, no matter what this score was today, then I would look at it on the merits of helping this team," Jones said. "If you're talking about trading for a player or trading a player, I would completely look at it on the merits of this team, both for next week or the week after, or the long term."
That is absolute nightmare fuel.
Even with the impending return of DeMarvion Overshown, this team would be lucky to make the playoffs. With the loss, the Cowboys are now 10th in the NFC with a 3-4-1 record. They are 2.5 games behind the 49ers, who own the third Wild Card spot with a 5-3 record. They are also looking up at the 4-3 Bears and 4-4 Panthers, both of whom own the tiebreaker over Dallas.
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With upcoming games against the Cardinals and Raiders, the Cowboys have a real chance to be 5-4-1 entering the hardest part of their schedule. The season didn't end on Sunday, but it was the latest proof that they can get picked off by any team.
The Broncos' offense had been struggling coming into Sunday. They erupted for 44 points, 426 yards, and an impossible 7.5 yards per play.
Matt Eberflus was clearly a terrible hire to replace Mike Zimmer, and the Cowboys need help at edge rusher, linebacker, cornerback, safety, and defensive tackle. What sense does it make to invest in that? There are too many holes. And the head of the operation might be the biggest issue. Even if they improve at one or two positions, do you trust Eberflus to put the D in a position to succeed?
We get Jones not wanting to give up on the season. The offense is good enough to make the playoffs, but the defense is a lost cause. A big splash wouldn't solve anything.
That doesn't mean Jones won't act out of desperation between now and the deadline, though.