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If Sunday was the first time you’ve seen a Dallas Cowboys football game this season, you might not think they’re a playoff team.
Even with a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Cowboys officially clinched a playoff berth, but as their official X handle indicated, there’s plenty of work to do.
Heading into Sundays game, the Cowboys had a league-high 32.4 points per game, scoring over 30 in each of their previous five encounters.
Across the board, it was a dismal performance from Mike McCarthy’s team, including Dak Prescott who threw an interception for the first time since a 49-17 triumph over the New York Giants in mid-November.
Bye Bye Bye
The Cowboys’ defeat on Sunday might have waved goodbye to numerous opportunities.
A convincing San Francisco 49ers victory over the Arizona Cardinals (45-29) has them in command of the first overall seed in the NFC, improving to 11-3, with the Cowboys now at 10-4.
If Philadelphia can run the table between now and the end of the regular season, they would clinch the NFC East.
That’s a dramatic change after the Cowboys overtook them with a 33-13 win against the Eagles a week ago.
It means that the Cowboy’s hopes of an opening-round bye are out of their hands.
Philly having by far the easiest schedule down the stretch of the campaign doesn’t help their cause, as the Giants, whom they play twice, along with the Cardinals and Seahawks, have a combined 14 wins between them.
After Monday, every NFL team will have played 14 games this season.
Dallas meanwhile plays the AFC East leaders, the Miami Dolphins, then the Detroit Lions, who are first in the NFC North before travelling to Washington for a date with the Commanders.
Dak Prescott might have waved goodbye to his MVP chances, going 21/34 for 134 yards and a touchdown.
Cowboys Offensive Concerns
Dallas only scored three points in the opening 30 minutes against the Bills, the fewest they’ve ever managed in the first half this season.
Throughout the game against Buffalo, Mike McCarthy’s offense couldn’t get anything going, with their only touchdown coming in garbage time courtesy of a CeeDee Lamb run.
The offensive line conceded three sacks, while Brandin Cooks had just two catches for 10 yards.
Overall, it was a highly uninspiring performance for Dallas offensively.
They are now 3-4 away from home.
The Cowboys must improve offensively and fast if they want to put some pressure on Philly and San Fran in the race for a bye in the opening round.
Miami is first in the NFL regarding yards-per-game (414.1), with the Lions third at 394.4.
Even without Tyreek Hill on Sunday, the Dolphins beat up the Jets 30-0, with the Lions cruising to a comfortable 42-17 triumph on Saturday against the Denver Broncos.
Bad games for the Dallas Cowboys lately has been few and far between; however, we’re nearing the time of year when it’s winner-take-all showdowns, and America’s Team didn’t do anything to quiet the haters on Sunday.