Cowboys’ goal: to win the Super Bowl
That’s why they hired coach Mike McCarthy, assembled the team they have and it’s the goal they set for themselves since they started the preseason last July, with strong changes in the defense and an offense that seemed unstoppable, led by the now multimillionaire quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys officially qualified for the Playoffs last Thursday when the Tennessee Titans defeated the San Francisco 49ers, and even without playing, could win the NFC East title if the Philadelphia Eagles fall to the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon. Absent that outcome, the divisional championship will be theirs for the first time in three years with a win over Washington Football Team hours later in Sunday night’s showdown.
“We were confident we would deliver in that section,” McCarthy noted in reference to Playoff qualification. “But this is about winning the division and staying in the hunt for a better seeding in the conference. Our goal is much bigger than just advancing to the Playoffs.”
This is the first time the Cowboys have made the Postseason since 2018 and they appear to have one of their most complete teams in recent years, despite the level of their offense dropping off during the second half of the current campaign after initially proving they can execute, move the ball and score points almost any way possible.
“(There’s) a lot of room for growth,” Prescott indicated. “We’ve taken those steps and have improved day in and day out and will continue to do so. We’ll peak at the right time.”
For its part, the defense, which had been the team’s Achilles heel for the past decade, underwent a drastic rebuild since the end of last season that began with the hiring of coordinator Dan Quinn and included the drafting of eight players among the 11 picks they had in the most recent Draft, until the firing of linebacker and team captain Jaylon Smith after the fourth game.
The defense has held the Cowboys in the most recent seven games, thanks to stealing fumbles, a task that proved nearly impossible for Dallas in years past. Dallas has now won three consecutive games with steals. Its longest streak in 27 years.
“You have to win a championship for you to be a championship defense,” stressed corner Trevon Diggs, who leads the NFL in interceptions with 10. “We have the potential, we have the talent, we’ve created an identity and we can certainly get there.”
McCarthy noted that all players are focused on their individual responsibilities, on what the team can control, including the three games remaining in the regular season.
The Cowboys added starting Nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who added his third interception last Sunday and has his best season in his five NFL seasons, all with the Cowboys, to the reserves/COVID-19 roster Friday. Among the regular rotation players, safety Malik Hooker also entered the protocol.
Special teams coach Matt Daniels and defensive line coach Aden Durden are also questionable to report for the game against Washington.
“We’ve made it this far, thanks to everybody’s hard work,” running back Ezekiel Elliott said. “We have to keep working and taking care of ourselves as much as possible, because for what’s coming up, we’re going to need everybody.”
Good to know.
The Cowboys ruled out offensive tackle Tyron Smith for the second straight game with an ankle injury.
Also on the Cowboys’ reserve/COVID-19 roster are defensive tackle Trysten Hill, receiver Simi Fehoko and running back Ja’Quan Hardy (practice squad). It is unknown if they will be able to play against Washington.
