Buckle Up

By: Peyton Schultze

Led by a bold effort from Cowboys’ QB, Dak Prescott, Dallas was able to overcome past postseason woes to deliver a huge win over Seattle in the Wild Card Round.

As far as clichés go, few are as recognizable, and sometimes ridiculous, as the phrase “Don’t Mess with Texas”. Originating back to 1985 with a statewide campaign brought about by the Texas Department of Transportation to stop civilians from littering, the phrase has been used as an identity for the state of Texas by representing the state’s tough and hard working demeanor. After all, Texas has been known for being one of the nation’s most unique and interesting states, from having its own electric grid (which explains why AT&T Stadium is among the world’s best venues located in the heart of Texas) to being a state still affiliated with ties to the Old West. Texas is, and has been, very independent and the slogan has perfectly went side-by-side with the state’s core values ever since the campaign began and slogan was developed back in 1985. Yet when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, it seems as though all everyone does is just mess with them. Critics mention their 3 playoff wins in the last 22 years. Their constant inability to close games. Their lack of success even within the NFC East, especially compared to the recent championships involving the rival New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys have continuously been mocked time and time again since their last Super Bowl appearance in 1996, a 27-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tempe, Arizona, causing a rowdy fanbase to chatter about a return to glory anytime the ‘Boys seem relevant and annoying the constant critics of the team. Just ask the Cowboys most notorious and loud-mouthed villain of the media:

But last Saturday, the hate started to slow. And the fans grew even louder. Why? The Cowboys, in what many assumed to be in an underdog role against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks, finally prevailed in a big moment. Led by an unreal defense that slowed Wilson and the Seattle offense all game long, the Cowboys manhandled Seattle all game long in a 24-22 win in Big D. Focusing particularly on the Cowboys’ defense, Jerry Jones and the ‘Boys front office has done a phenomenal job in the past several drafts on that side of the ball, leading up to this point. In drafting elite linebackers such as Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, as well as adding awesome pieces in the secondary such as Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie, Dallas has formed a formidable defense that is striking fear into their opponents. Yet this Cowboys’ defense is only getting better by the week. But after slowing down a top 5 quarterback in Wilson last weekend against the ‘Hawks, the Dallas defense is starting to garner huge headlines about being one that is potentially Super Bowl caliber. However, as all things go with the Cowboys, they must prove themselves once again this week against the Los Angeles Rams (13-3). Blame it on their track record over the past 20 years in the playoffs, but there are certainly still doubters that expect this team to fall apart right when it looks like they might break through. Playing with an uphill battle is nothing new for them and continues to push this team through the playoffs, even as heavy underdogs (+7.0 in Vegas) this Saturday in LA. But after a 3-5 start to the season which ended up with an NFC East title in their hands, anything can happen in the heart of Texas with this version of the Cowboys.

Expect the Cowboys to feed Zeke the ball early and often on Saturday in LA.

With all being said about the defense though, the 2018-2019 Dallas Cowboys will go just as far as their offense can take them. But with a trio of Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper, Dallas finally has the star power on offense to match up with “The Triplets” of the ‘90s with Aikman, Smith, and Irvin. While it is almost impossible to even compare this new Cowboys’ trio to the likes of the Hall of Fame talents from the Cowboys’ stars of the ‘90s, Dallas has certainly been getting it done on offense when they need to most. A lot of this has to do with Elliott, arguably the best or 2nd best true running back in the game right now. When the Cowboys are giving Zeke the ball early and often behind a still-solid offensive line, the Cowboys look like a legit offense that can control the time of possession and keep opposing quarterbacks off the field. In fact, over the course of the regular season, the Cowboys were 7-1 when giving the ball to Elliott for 20 or more rushing attempts. Plain and simple, when the Cowboys give the ball to Elliott, good things often happen. Throw in the fact that the upcoming Rams have the 21st ranked run defense in the league and Zeke and offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, should be licking their lips.

A major mid-season addition, Amari Cooper has helped transform the Cowboys offense.

However, while Elliott is outstanding and certainly an All-Pro talent, it has been the mid-season addition of WR. Amari Cooper, that has helped make this Cowboys’ offense explosive and a threat to be reckoned with. A former Pro Bowler in Oakland, Cooper was traded to Dallas during their Week 8 bye week by Jon Gruden and the Raider organization. At first, it seemed like a curious choice to surrender a 1st round pick for Cooper, who seemed like a possible bust even in the still-early stages of his career. But Jerry Jones and the Cowboys seemed to know what they were doing and Cooper has transformed the ‘Boys O. Not only has Cooper helped the Cowboys gain production on the outside, but has helped Dak Prescott once again grow even more as a quarterback throughout the season. Prescott, Tony Romo’s former replacement in Dallas, once faced a ton of criticism midway through the season with a lack of real improvement since his outstanding rookie season. But Prescott, with help from a steady O Line and the great play-action game the Cowboys regularly use, has had an outstanding end of the season. For instance, look no further than this Week 17 throw against New York for an example of Dak’s progress throughout his 3rd season:

Prescott most likely will never have the pure arm talent of Aaron Rodgers or elusiveness of Russell Wilson. He may not even have the accuracy of Drew Brees or the arm strength of Matthew Stafford. What he does have, though, are the intangibles that come along with being a winning starting quarterback in the National Football League. Ask Tom Brady or Peyton Manning where their leadership qualities and abilities to galvanize the troops around them took them in the Canton-bound careers. Dak will never be the best QB in the league, but that should not worry Cowboys’ fans. Prescott is the quarterback the Cowboys need right now, through all of the constant chatter and chaos that consistently surrounds America’s Team in Dallas. His ability to lead the Cowboys will be crucial against Los Angeles this weekend and will likely have to play very well offensively for the ‘Boys to have a great chance of beating the 13-win Rams. Beat the Rams and the ‘Boys would likely travel to New Orleans for a matchup with the Saints (a team they beat in impressive fashion in Week 13) or return home to Dallas for a matchup with their rival and the defending Super Bowl champions in the Philadelphia Eagles. All scenarios will be tough for Dallas, but the Cowboys have the right kind of quarterback to push them through rough stretches and towards the promised land in pursuit of another Lombardi Trophy.

Could Dak Prescott really lead Dallas through the NFC en route to Super Bowl LIII? We will soon find out.

After a poor start to the season and a devastating loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 on Monday Night Football, the Cowboys seemed dead in the water. Yet Dallas has evolved and now remains one of the eight teams remaining in the NFL as the Divisional Round looms. Can the Cowboys once again prove the doubters wrong and beat some of the best teams in the NFC? It remains to be seen but with a dominant defense and an exceptional offensive trio, there should be fireworks in Cowboy Land in the coming weeks regardless of a few wins or a crushing loss. Buckle up NFL, the Cowboys are hungry and ready to make some serious noise in January.