The Dallas Cowboys enter NFL games today with one of the best records in football, viewing themselves as a bonafide threat in the NFC and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Around the league, however, some are far more skeptical of the Cowboys’ chances.
Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Lions, Dallas sits one game back of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East. While the Cowboys theoretically have a chance to earn the first-round bye as the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the realistic playoff path for the team will take them through the Wild Card round.
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On the surface, a potential matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seems favorable for Dallas even on the road. However, the Cowboys are 7-0 at home this season and 3-5 as visitors. Furthermore, the team has a +171 point differential at home in 2023 with a -6 point differential on the road.
While the Cowboys have beaten teams like the Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium, it’s their performance on the road that is catching attention around the NFL. Coming off consecutive road losses to the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, there’s more skepticism of Dallas.
As one NFL executive put it to The Athletic’s Mike Sando, there are signs of the Cowboys “imploding” before the NFL playoffs even begin. As he watched Dallas, he sees a front-runner with a style that isn’t going to change even when the games matter most.
“I think their identity is what it is. A front-running bunch, and when they start off hot, they ride it, and when they have to go blow for blow, I think there is…imploding there.”
NFL executive on the 2023 Dallas Cowboys (H/T Mike Sando of The Athletic)
One reason cause for concern from the Cowboys’ perspective has to be the run defense. While Dallas ranks 19th in rushing yards allowed per game (115.7), it allowed its last three opponents to average 154.3 rushing yards per game. It doesn’t bode well for potential playoff matchups against the Eagles or 49ers.
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Even if the Cowboys beat the Lions on Saturday, it won’t erase all the skepticism surrounding this team. Dallas will have won at home, a place where they’ve been dominant this year. With the Eagles closing in on an NFC East title, however, the Cowboys’ success at home won’t matter.