By JOSHUA SHAVER
The Dallas Cowboys are 4-3 this year, and their schedule only gets tougher from here on out.
The team will face the Philadelphia Eagles again, the New England Patriots on the road and the Chicago Bears on the road.
The Cowboys schedule is as tough as it comes. With that being said, the Cowboys will make the Super Bowl, and here’s why: The Cowboys have been the best team on offense in the league so far this season.
Offensively, the Cowboys – through seven games – rank third in passing yards and first in total offense. The Cowboys are averaging 27 points a game, so they are pretty elite compared to the league average offensively.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is ranked first in QBR, which is the best stat for rating quarterback performances. Prescott is third in passing yards and is tied for fourth in total touchdowns with fifteen. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is fifth in rush yards and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Amari Cooper is third in receiving yards and tied for third in receiving touchdowns.
The Cowboys defense has been in the Top 10 as well, including being top five in total yards allowed and seventh in points allowed.
For example, the Cowboys traveled on the road to the Saints and held them to only field goals; faced the Dolphins and held them to 6; and held the Eagles to 10. This is a top five football team, even with their average record.
I don’t like to make excuses for why my team loses, but against the Saints, the Cowboys had two uncharacteristic fumbles and lost by 2 points. Then the Cowboys had two missed field goals and some bad pass interference calls not called and a dropped interception. Against the Jets on the road, the Cowboys had lost both of its star tackles, and Cooper was hurt on the first catch of the game. Dallas still had a chance to win the game but lost 22-24 due to a missed 2-point conversion.
Although the Cowboys have had embarrassing moments and losses, the game against the Eagles; a divisional rival showed why the Cowboys won’t. After Eagles head coach Doug Pederson promised the Philly fans a win, the Cowboys trounced the pathetic Eagles 37-10. The Eagles, who two years ago won the Super Bowl, were utterly dominated offensively, defensively and even through its special teams.
The Cowboys give me joy and give me heartbreak throughout the years, but this season with this talent, I believe the Cowboys will not disappoint.
The problem with the Cowboys is situational mishaps by our key players and special teams with missing field goals at the wrong time. Our offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator are really good at situational game plans.
When it comes to head coach Jason Garett, however, he’s one of the worst in the league and is coach “clap” because that’s all he knows how to do. If the Cowboys get rid of Garrett, the team would be one of the best teams every year for a decade.
On Oct. 12, the Cowboys lost to an underrated winless team on the road. Even though the loss to the Jets was a team low, all of the Cowboys starters are back, and when they are all on the same page, this team is one of the premier dangerous teams in the league.
I predict the Cowboys will win seven of their next nine games, finish at 11-5 and garner the third seed in the NFC.
The only team standing in the Cowboys’ way is ultimately the Saints due to their roster’s depth at literally every position.
It doesn’t matter if Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas don’t play, the Saints will still find a way to win, and that’s what great coaches like Sean Payton do. The Cowboys lost this season to the Saints on the road by 2 points, but they will redeem themselves by the playoffs.
The Super Bowl 54 matchup will be the Cowboys and the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, the Cowboys will come up short because Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are the deadliest quarterback and coach duo ever.