Dallas Cowboys Face Dire Playoff Prospects After Losses

The Dallas Cowboys are facing a grim outlook after suffering a disappointing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, dropping their record to 3-5-1. With this recent defeat, the Cowboys find themselves 11th in the NFC playoff standings, well outside the postseason picture, and closer to a top-10 draft pick than a playoff berth, as reported by Deadspin. The loss to the Cardinals, who also hold a 3-5 record, was particularly troubling as it marked the Cowboys' first home loss of the season. Their performance raised significant concerns about their playoff prospects, especially with tough matchups looming on the horizon.

Blogging The Boys highlighted that the Cowboys have now lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The team struggled offensively against a Cardinals squad that has had its own issues throughout the year. Dallas initially showed promise but faltered when it mattered, failing to convert opportunities into touchdowns, especially in critical moments such as their opening drive of the game where they went for it on fourth down but were unsuccessful due to poor pass protection.

In the game, the Cardinals' Jacoby Brissett, filling in as quarterback, managed to exploit the Cowboys' defensive weaknesses, finding open receivers and capitalizing on missed tackles. According to Blogging The Boys, Dallas's defense appeared to lack heart, allowing the Cardinals to convert first downs with ease, which led to a significant momentum swing. Despite a blocked punt that briefly gave the Cowboys life, they could not sustain it and ultimately fell to the Cardinals 27-17.

The Cowboys' schedule does not ease up from here; Deadspin pointed out that they face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11, followed by daunting matchups against the Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, and Chargers. This stretch of games is critical for the Cowboys as they look to salvage their season. The team has been plagued by issues, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer's play-calling coming under scrutiny after the loss to the Cardinals. The lack of offensive execution and defensive lapses have left the team in a precarious position.

As the trade deadline approached, speculation arose regarding potential moves to bolster the roster. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, hinted at a trade, but after the loss, he backtracked on those statements, emphasizing uncertainty about making significant roster changes. This reflects a broader concern that simply adding players may not resolve the deep-seated issues plaguing the team. With their playoff chances diminishing, the Cowboys must rally during their bye week and find a way to turn their season around, or risk a disappointing end to what was once a promising campaign.