Can the Dallas Cowboys keep on winning games? These 5 questions will define it starting vs Bengals
"Winning streak" might come off as too strong a term for what the Dallas Cowboys are going through after winning back to back games. However, after a draining 0-5 run, that's certainly what it is. The question is, how long will it last? The Cowboys have a couple of losing-record opponents up ahead in the Cincinnati […]
"Winning streak" might come off as too strong a term for what the Dallas Cowboys are going through after winning back to back games. However, after a draining 0-5 run, that's certainly what it is.
The question is, how long will it last? The Cowboys have a couple of losing-record opponents up ahead in the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers, though they're not necessarily "easy" to beat.
I put together a list of the five questions that will define whether or not they keep stacking dubs.
1. Can Micah Parsons and friends keep making quarterbacks' lives a nightmare?
The Cowboys' pass rush has been great over the last couple of weeks in no small part thanks to the return of Micah Parsons, who's recorded 5.5 sacks and 23 pressures in the last four games.
But it's not only Parsons who has given opposing quarterbacks trouble. Mike Zimmer has weaponized DeMarvion Overshown as a blitzer and he's a missile flying downfield. Additionally, Osa Odighizuwa is playing his best football lately and the team's depth at defensive end is stepping up in big moments, particularly Chauncey Golston and Carl Lawson.
If this unit can continue to look as dangerous, they can keep themselves in games.
2. Can Rico Dowdle keep on, keepin' on?
How about Dowdle? He enters Week 14 with the 11th highest success rate among NFL running backs and he's been more explosive as the Cowboys have leaned on him much more.
Last week against the Giants, Dowdle picked up four gains of 10+ yards, and three of them went for at least 15-yard gains. He's cooking and the Cowboys are acknowledging it by handing it off to him more often.
It helps the offensive line is playing as well as it has up front, so look for the interior offensive line to play a big role o this. Brock Hoffman at right guard has done a great job stepping in for Zack Martin, whose season came to an end this week.
3. Can the Cowboys offensive line keep Cooper Rush as clean as they have?
Speaking of an improved offensive line, the Cowboys have done a fantastic job keeping Cooper Rush clean. Sure, he's got the league's fastest average time to throw as the coaching staff isn't asking much from the backup quarterback, but over the last couple of games he's been pressured in 15% of his dropbacks. That would rank as the lowest among 41 qualifying quarterbacks this season.
The key here is to not fall behind significantly as you don't want Rush to be the reason you win games.
4. Who will play at cornerback the rest of the way?
Trevon Diggs is questionable ahead of the Cowboys' Monday Night Football matchup in Week 14. His status will be a massive deal from here on out as Dallas is running out of depth players. So far, they've lost fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson and Josh Butler (who had been a standout backup) to Injured Reserve.
If Diggs can play on Monday, it'll be the first time this season that he and DaRon Bland play together. With Jourdan Lewis in the slot, that can be a very solid unit. Remove one piece, however, and it can crumble to pieces in the blink of an eye.
5. Can Mike McCarthy's offense move the chains on third down?
This is a cliché but it will be big for the Cowboys moving forward. Against the Giants, they were efficient on the money down, moving the chains 47% of their third downs. Against the Commanders, however, they were mediocre, going 2-of-11 for an 18% conversion rate.
Moving forward, it's gotta be more of the former than the latter. You just can't bet on 99-yard kickoff return touchdowns happening every week.
