Predicting the Cowboys' immediate fate after latest Dak Prescott injury news
By Ryan Heckman
Believe who you want, but the Dallas Cowboys are, indeed, toast. Whatever coach speak, motivating "rah rah" type of speech we might hear from the likes of Jerry Jones, Mike McCarthy or others in the coming days, this season is done for.
And, it can all be thanks to Jones and the front office failing to go "all-in," despite the lie he sold to the fan base earlier this year. That's a story for another day, but it's as accurate and timely as ever.
After watching the Cowboys lose their third-straight on Sunday and drop to 3-5 on the year, Dallas had yet another major injury to worry about.
Quarterback Dak Prescott left the game early in the fourth quarter and would end up with multiple injuries; a finger and a hamstring. It was the latter, though, that Prescott was most concerned about after the game.
Sure enough, Monday came and fans saw the news break that the Cowboys would be without Prescott for "multiple weeks." According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, there is concern that this could be a long-term injury.
Let's assume Prescott isn't out longer than a month. That seems like a win, if we're really to buy into the idea that this is a "long-term" injury. If Prescott is out the next four games, Dallas is truly, 100 percent doomed.
The next four games are going to be brutal without Dak Prescott
Week 10 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys' next four games begins with a home tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are trying to keep pace with the Washington Commanders in the NFC East. Not only are the Eagles the no. 6 offense in terms of yards per game, right now, but they have one of the best run defenses in the league and are giving up the fifth-fewest (101.1).
Not only do the Cowboys not have much of a passing game without Prescott, they are still abysmal on the ground.
Prediction: Loss (3-6)
Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
The Texans get the dominant Nico Collins back by this time, and Houston's offense should be rolling even without Stefon Diggs and in spite of a porous offensive line. Dallas' pass defense is middling, at best, and C.J. Stroud should be able to tee off on this unit. To say nothing of running back Joe Mixon's ability to gash teams on the ground.
Prediction: Loss (3-7)
Week 12 at Washington Commanders
This is a no-brainer. The Commanders have been exciting on offense behind rookie phenom Jayden Daniels, but their defense has also improved drastically this season. A fairly well-rounded team, Washington should have no problem beating a Dak-less Cowboys squad.
Prediction: Loss (3-8)
Week 13 vs. New York Giants
Finally, in Week 13, the bleeding stops. It is, after all, the New York Giants. The Cowboys have won nine of their last 10 against the Giants, so at the very least, they'll get the dub here. But, it likely won't come easy as the Giants remain a scrappy bunch that just won't go away in most games, this year.
Prediction: Win (4-8)