The Dallas Cowboys may have made it out of their toughest stretch of the season. With injuries mounting and COVID outbreaks ravaging the team, they stumbled through November losing three of four games. What once looked like a promising challenge for the No. 1 seed in the NFC now looks more of a long shot, though not impossible, based on their recent stumbles. But they may be back.
Week 13 saw the return of several of their top-10 players to the lineup, including Amari Cooper after two weeks, CeeDee Lamb after missing one and DeMarcus Lawrence after missing 10 with a broken foot. This was on the heels of Tyron Smith returning the prior week after missing three games of his own. Week 14 will see the return of Randy Gregory after missing four weeks. Don’t forget top-20 players like Michael Gallup and Neville Gallimore, out for most or all of the season. Throw in a missing head coach, OL coach, OL assistant and the majority of the strength-and-conditioning coaches and it’s all apparent. Why are the Cowboys’ stumbling? This is why.
Next man up is a myth. The Cowboys are one of the most talented organizations in football and the fact they overcame so much through the first seven weeks is miraculous. Now that most are back, it’s time to judge them but first, here’s an assessment of just how much talent they do have. Here’s a look at the top-30 players entering Week 14.