After Sunday’s Week 3 slate of NFL action, analysts are starting to focus on the teams that have looked like serious playoff contenders so far this season. One team generating a lot of debate is the Dallas Cowboys.
While their offense looks strong, their defense ranks among the league’s worst. Cam Newton, who believes the Cowboys are a playoff team, didn’t hold back on quarterback J.J. McCarthy after Dan Orlovsky made a bold claim about both Dallas and the Minnesota Vikings.
Cam Newton Fires Stray at J.J. McCarthy During Dallas Cowboys Debate
The Cowboys are always a polarizing team, and that was no different Monday morning during ESPN’s “First Take” following Dallas’ 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Newton, the league’s MVP in 2015, and Orlovsky, an ex-NFL quarterback, argued about whether Dallas is a serious playoff contender.
Newton firmly believes in the Cowboys, calling them a Wild Card team. Orlovsky was shocked by that take and asked Newton if he really thinks they could beat the Vikings. He believes Minnesota would dominate Dallas.
“Wild card bro.” 👀
—@CameronNewton on if the Cowboys are a playoff team. pic.twitter.com/EhZzGhIAuQ
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 22, 2025
“You think they’re better than Minnesota? Minnesota would beat them by 17,” Orlovsky said.
Newton quickly fired back at Orlovsky’s claim, rifling off a shot at McCarthy, the Vikings’ second-year quarterback, in the process.
“No, they won’t, not with J.J. McCarthy, bro,” Newton said. “Are you serious? Sam Darnold, probably. J.J. McCarthy?”
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It’s an interesting debate, and there are arguments on both sides. Newton isn’t wrong about McCarthy, who has looked spotty at best through his first two NFL games, earning a PFSN QBi grade of 54.1.
However, outside of McCarthy, the Vikings roster is stacked from top to bottom, and their defense is among the league’s best. Minnesota earned a PFSN DEFi grade of 90.2 in its win over the Bengals on Sunday and currently has the highest-graded defense in the league.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ defense ranks near the bottom of the league. In their loss to the Bears on Sunday, Dallas earned a PFSN DEFi grade of 65.3, the fourth-lowest of Week Three, and they’ve been hovering around that mark all season.
Both teams have their flaws, and Orlovsky’s prediction of a 17-point Vikings victory might be a little high. At the same time, Newton’s harsh words about McCarthy could be a bit dramatic, considering the young quarterback is only two games into his NFL career.
The good news is this debate will be settled during the 2025 season when Minnesota travels to Dallas on December 14. Orlovsky and Newton’s takes will have a chance to be proven right during that matchup.
