Week 4 Recap: Dallas Cowboys
Offense: A Struggle to Score
Week 4 wasn’t exactly a highlight reel for the Cowboys’ offense. They found it tough to put points on the board, mainly due to a slew of holding penalties that killed their drives. It was like the refs had a vendetta against them, flagging nearly every play. Even the commentators were bracing for a penalty flag after each snap. It got so bad that it felt like the NFL might have told the refs to ease up in the second half to avoid turning the game into a total laundry fest.
Defense: Key Players Down and Out
On the defensive side, it was a tough day losing both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence (Dlaw), the Cowboys’ top pass rushers. Though neither was making a huge impact due to the Giants’ quick passes and dink-and-dunk strategy, the absence of a strong pass rush was felt. Micah’s injury might be his first significant one in the league, which could be a blessing in disguise if it fires him up for a comeback. So far this season, he’s been underwhelming (trust me, I feel your pain as a Sleeper fantasy owner).
Special Teams: A Shocking Miss
Special teams had a surprising moment too, with Brandon Aubrey missing a kick from beyond 50 yards. Given his clutch performances so far, it was a shocker. It didn’t seem like the pass rush was even close to blocking him, so it’s a mystery what went wrong. Despite this, Aubrey still has a strong leg, and I’m eagerly waiting for the day when McCarthy lets him attempt something crazy like a 70-yarder.
Coaching: Discipline Issues Galore
Coaching? Let’s just say it left much to be desired. The team’s lack of discipline would make anyone cry. At what point will people realize that McCarthy just can’t control his players enough to avoid dumb penalties? The sheer amount of penalty yardage against Dallas is staggering and often more than the total yardage gained by some teams.
Final Thoughts: An Unconvincing Win
I’m genuinely shocked Dallas barely scraped through this game. The Giants are arguably the worst team in the division, yet Dallas was only a score ahead. This performance is a clear indicator that 2024 isn’t the year for the Cowboys. Perhaps next year they’ll reset and let their current rookies grow more. For all the Cowboy fans dreaming of a deep playoff run or even a Super Bowl appearance, it’s time for a reality check. This team is closer to the bottom tier than the top.
Beating a Browns team with backup tackles and scraping by the Giants are not signs of a promising season. The next four games are going to be brutal, and honestly, I’d be surprised if the Cowboys aren’t sitting at 2-6 by the end of that stretch.
Optimistic takeaway? Maybe, just maybe, the struggles of 2024 will pave the way for growth and development. Keep the faith, but temper the expectations. This year’s team isn’t quite living up to the hype. Let’s see how the rest of the season unfolds. 🏈💔
No responses yet