Defining moment: Why the next six weeks could determine the Cowboys’ season

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As Week Eight in the NFL kicks off, the Dallas Cowboys begin a critical portion of their season.

Mike McCarthy’s team are 4-2 heading into their home matchup with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday as they aim to catch the Philadelphia Eagles in the AFC East standings.

Dallas is coming off a bye week and is two games behind the Eagles for the division lead, with the two teams set to lock horns on November 5.

Make or Break

We aren’t even halfway through the 2023 campaign, and yet it feels like the Cowboys will be staring down some must-win games in the coming weeks.

That’s because four of their next six games will take place at AT&T Stadium, all of which will be against NFC opponents.

Head coach Mike McCarthy recently spoke about this critical juncture for his team.

“No place like home, right? It’s important for us to maintain the home field advantage that you can establish,” McCarthy said. ‘I’m looking forward to playing at home.”

Four of the opening six Cowboys games this year occurred away from home, and although they’ve lost two of their previous three road contests, they have to feel pretty good about their position.

The Cowboys have made the most of their home-field advantage of late, winning 10 in a row while outscoring their two away opponents this season by a combined score of 68-13

Good Omen

On Sunday, the Cowboys can capture an 11th straight victory at home, the longest stretch in the franchise’s history since 1991-92 (11).

That streak was just the beginning of what would become a dynasty with America’s Team, who captured three Super Bowls in four seasons from 1992 to 1995.

In 92, the Cowboys began a string of four straight 12-win seasons, while the current team has won a dozen regular season affairs in back-to-back campaigns.

Although the Cowboys have made the playoffs in their previous two campaigns, they have not made it beyond the Divisional Round since last lifting the Lombardi Trophy in 1995.

Technically speaking, the Cowboys play five of their next seven games at AT&T Stadium, but their four home fixtures will be crucial.

Only two of their next six opponents currently have winning records (the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks), so it would not be unreasonable for them to strive for a potentially 5-1 or 4-2 record over that stretch at the very least.

If they can achieve either of those, it would not only put them in a great spot to return to the post-season but also allow McCarthy to potentially rest some critical pieces to his lineup down the stretch.

The Cowboys’ schedule to end the 2023 regular season will not be easy, with three of their final four games being on the road.

Three of their final four games this season will be against some of the best offensive units in the league right now, with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions ranked first, fourth and fifth, respectively, in yards per game.