Do I do it?
I feel like a ten year old at the swimming pool with his buddies, standing at the edge of the diving board, asking myself, should I?
Should I really get excited about the 2022 Dallas Cowboys? This is an organization that’s been crushing my hopes for 26 seasons: four playoff wins in that time, missing the playoffs more often than making them, no appearances in the NFC Championship Game. Hope you’ll pardon me for not diving head first in the deep end quite yet.
These Cowboys continue to exceed my expectations. 4-1 when I thought they’d be 2-3, and that’s without knowing Dak Prescott would miss the last four games. A tremendous pass rush that stacks up with anyone. An offense that has taken care of the football, has gone the extra step to commit to the run, and has made just enough big plays to put just enough points on the board. Heck even the penalties have been down the last couple of weeks after being a massive issue last season and early in this one. Wins over last year’s Super Bowl participants, albeit different teams with issues.
A win Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field, while clinching nothing, would put the Cowboys in a tie for first in the NFC East with wins over their two chief competitors. A loss, while not catastrophic, puts the Cowboys two back of the Eagles with a head to head loss. Big difference, even in week 6 of the season. Two defenses that are fantastic at rushing the passer. Cowboys 2nd in the league in sacks, Eagles tied for 5th. Dallas’ offensive line has played pretty well despite some new faces and injuries. When healthy, Philly’s offensive line is as good as anyone, but they haven’t been healthy lately. That should worry Eagles fans. What should worry Cowboys fans is that Jalen Hurts is not only playing the best football of his career, but he has the escapability to avoid pass rushers if the defense doesn’t keep contain. It can be hard to rush the passer and be disciplined enough to keep contain at the same time. Huge key in this game. Dallas hasn’t faced a QB with his mobility yet; Daniel Jones is decently mobile but he can’t run like Hurts.
Statistically, the Eagles are significantly better offensively, slightly better defensively, with the exception of scoring defense, about a FG difference. Eagles have the better roster and the better QB. So, do I dive in?
Not yet. Maybe next week. Philadelphia 24 Dallas 17.
by Matt Meyer