The Cowboys have only played seven football games, but already things are beginning to take shape in 2024. Washington’s hot start combined with Philadelphia’s predictable success has placed the Cowboys in the division cellar alongside New York. With three fewer wins than the NFC East leading Commanders and a brutal schedule yet to come, Dallas finds themselves in a deep hole heading into Week 9.
At 3-4, the Cowboys are 13th in the NFC with only three teams slotted below them, the Saints, Giants and Panthers. The only bright side is the Cowboys have upcoming matchups with the Giants and Panthers to look forward to. Unfortunately, Dallas lost to the Saints earlier in the season so even cellar-dwelling teams have proven to be no sure thing for this floundering franchise.
As the trade deadline approaches and teams navigate the market looking for possible upgrades, it’s important the Cowboys understand exactly where they are right now. They are a bad football team that faces long odds.
Based on ESPN’s most recent projections the Cowboys have only a 12 percent chance of making the postseason in 2024. Their next four opponents, Atlanta (5-3), Philadelphia (5-2), Houston (6-2) and Washington (6-2) are all favored to win by a significant margin. There’s an excellent chance the Cowboys roll into Thanksgiving weekend with a 3-8 record and firmly on the outside looking in.
The troubles plaguing the Cowboys are far from insignificant. The offensive line is struggling in both phases of the game. It’s rendered the running game completely insignificant and hampered the passing game in ways not seen before in the Dak Prescott era. Receivers aren’t getting open, route combinations aren’t helping, tight ends are underperforming, and the entire offense is reeling.
Defensively things are even worse. The run defense picked up where it left off last season, firmly situated as the worst in the NFL and with no hope on the horizon. The secondary has been riddled with injury and ineptitude. Cornerback should be getting relief with players like Caelen Carson and DaRon Bland returning, but safety is in complete disarray with both Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker playing arguably the worst football in either of their careers.
Without a single strength to lean on the Cowboys are a team that actually looks worse than their record indicates and a team that offers very little hope for the immediate future. It’s not a time to throw in the towel and tank, but it is time to accept the reality of the situation.
If the Cowboys are active at the trade deadline it should be as sellers rather than buyers. There are too many issues to fix to satisfy through midseason trades. The Cowboys have deeper issues to address and growing pains they need to absorb.
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