Allow me to inject additional realism.
Yeah, they are horrible, but just good enough to destroy any hope of a high draft pick.
They won't make the playoffs, of course. However, they will go on a small win streak and I think there is a good possibility of a signature "Garrett" season.
That is, they will end up 9-8 or 8-9
Two of their next three games are against the Giants and Panthers. Between those games, they play the Bengals ten days after the Giants. Obviously, there is no guarantee, but I wouldn't be surprised if they win their next three games.
That puts them at 7-7. Their last three opponents are the Bucs, Eagles, and Commanders. I believe they will win one, perhaps two, but not all three.
They will miss the playoffs and the top ten of the draft.
Just to rub salt in the wound, they will look better in December than they have all season long.
Why do I believe this?
This team was destined to start out struggling due to the loss of some players, a different defensive scheme, and a great deal of youth. They started three rookies in game #1, two on the O-line.
The idea was that the team would improve as season progressed. The young players would learn through experience.
However, the Cowboys didn't anticipate a devastating chain of injuries that wiped out their entire DE group. I'm not sure if their two All Pro CB's were on the field at the same time this year. Perhaps one game? These were supposed to be their areas of strength that would carry them through all season long.
Now, the younger players do seem to be improving and some of the injured are trickling back into the lineup.
With that said, Dak's injury was the death blow.
One last piece of reality:
The offense didn't score enough points to win this game. The score is inflated by two great special teams plays. The offense was responsible for 20 of the 34 points.
Additionally, the offense's last two scoring drives started on the 50 and Washington 44. The first was the result of a punt after a three and out. The second was a forced fumble.
Until that point in the 4th quarter, the Cowboys had what seems to be their "signature" score this season, ten points.
