When the news of the Micah Parsons trade first came out, it seemed like confirmation that the Dallas Cowboys would not be a competitive team in the playoff race this season. A defense that was held together by their superstar edge rusher seemed poised to fail without him.
That is exactly how things ended up going, until they turned a corner after the trade deadline. While they remain out of the playoff picture, recent outings have given fans optimism about things taking a turn for the better for America’s Team. Now, after a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the hopes of a postseason berth aren’t completely out of the picture.
Can the Cowboys Still Make the Playoffs?
The Achilles heel for the team all season long has been their defense. Ranked dead last on PFSN’s Defense Impact, it has failed to provide any resistance throughout the year. As a result, they added reinforcements at the trade deadline.
Recognizing the team’s needs, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones opted to bring in Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams to the roster. Immediately, their transformation was crystal clear.
Facing the Las Vegas Raiders, they put together their best grade of the season at 82.4. However, Philadelphia was an altogether different animal for them to contend with. And, it seemed like the night against Las Vegas was indeed fool’s gold.
As the Eagles put up 21 points in a hurry in the first half, Dallas seemed to have no answer for them. However, in the second half, they were able to keep the reigning Super Bowl champions scoreless, while snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat.
It was an altogether excellent encounter for both units, as the Cowboys forced two turnovers on Philadelphia, while the offense, ranked third on PFSN’s Offense Impact, was electric throughout.
Eventually, it was a Brandon Aubrey field goal as time expired that gave Dallas its fifth win of the season and kept its playoff hopes alive. However, it was still a long way to go for the franchise, thanks to their pedestrian 5-5-1 record.
According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, the Cowboys are now in a position to make the playoffs, but they would need to put in a huge effort in all their remaining games.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.Â
