Reality has a way of kicking you in the shin right before it's time to start your race.
Forget 2-2 and just look at the football before us. It ain't good for Dallas the way these games are playing out. This is an 8-8 team, maybe, unless some things get figured out quickly. Most likely, that's an offseason or two or three away.
The defense is wilting. The running game is surrounded. The quarterback is lost and failing. The coaches are hamstrung by the reality of an mediocre team that needs both time to develop, but better hurry up quick for the aging side of its roster. The answers don't seem attainable at the moment.
The curtain has been pulled back from the illusion of 13-3. The NFL waited for Romo to return like we did last year, but he never did. Dak and Zeke piled up wins against easy and injured opponents to the tune of 11 amazing wins in a row. The future promised to be unstoppable and spectacular.
But quietly, the league went to work. Good defenses showed the template to stop this offense, and as of now, that's got this team hog-tied. Minnesota, Philadelphia, and the Giants showed the way, even in losing efforts. They provided the plan.
Time of possession won last year for Dallas in spades. Dallas just drained the life out of opponents with brutally long and exhausting drives that left QBs standing, watching, and waiting. That is not happening this year. Too many third-and-longs and three-and-outs have turned that table upside down.
The book is out. Dak Prescott can't beat you from the pocket. Not today anyway.
Gang up on Zeke Elliott by stacking the line tight. Dallas is struggling at left guard and right tackle, so run blitz it to death. Sell out on Zeke. Make the Cowboys throw the football. Cover everything short with man coverage, especially on Beasley and Witten. Single high safety. Pass rush with discipline and don't allow the quarterback to escape outside the pocket. Watch for the rollouts to the right. Keep that quarterback in the pocket where he's hesitant and inaccurate.
That's it. It's working, at least for teams with good defenses.
The Cowboys defense has some good, young talent, but they won't hold up, especially if they have to log too many minutes. There are holes to expose, especially if you have a good quarterback and a reasonable offensive line.
The answer screams for coaching, but what are they to do with so much baby-young talent at all the key positions. This team needs time, as in seasons, before we really know what we have.
I know this. This team is not a contender this season. This is a middle-of-the-pack poser with great rankings that isn't ready for the big stage right now. Borderline playoff team thanks to a division lacking a great team.
