As the Dallas Cowboys strode off the field with an overdue victory against the Washington Commanders, a palpable sense of relief and renewed optimism filled the air. The Cowboys managed to snap a dispiriting five-game losing streak in Week 12, elevating their record to 4-7. This victory rekindled their dwindling playoff hopes, even if just slightly.
Under the leadership of head coach Mike McCarthy, Dallas has been grappling with significant adversities this season. Key players across their roster, including their franchise quarterback and crucial components of both the offensive and defensive lines, have been missing. Despite these challenges, McCarthy has remained resolute. “As a staff, this is very challenging. As we've talked as a staff, we'll be better coaches because of this experience. I believe that. I've experienced it in the past,” McCarthy asserted, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the league. “It's really when and who, the timing of it, getting the young guys ready to play as fast as possible.”
The game against the Commanders highlighted a standout performance by backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Rush, stepping into a leading role, completed 24 of his 32 passes for a commendable 247 yards and two touchdowns. Achieving career-highs with a 75% completion rate and a 117.6 passer rating, Rush demonstrated a level of play that could buoy the Cowboys’ ambitions in this tumultuous season.
“It feels like that because we know what we're doing,” stated Jourdan Lewis, vocalizing the sentiment echoing through the Cowboys' locker room. “We're executing the right way from all 11 of us on the field. So it feels good. ... We have that confidence in each other that we can go out there and finish games.”
Further boosting their prospects, the team welcomed Brandin Cooks back from injured reserve, offering a significant addition to their offensive arsenal. The return of DeMarcus Lawrence is also on the horizon, hinting at a potential strengthening of their defensive line.
Despite the improved outlook, the Cowboys’ chance of reaching the postseason remains a long shot, with the SportsLine simulation model calculating only a 1.4% probability. Nevertheless, it's not unheard of for teams in the NFL to overcome daunting odds, as evidenced by the seven teams since 1990 that have successfully made the playoffs after beginning with a 4-7 record, a feat famously duplicated by the 2023 Buccaneers.
The hopeful path to the postseason isn’t entirely insurmountable for the Cowboys. With an opponent win percentage of .448, they face the eighth-easiest remaining schedule in the league according to Tankathon. Such a schedule could serve as a conduit for Dallas to build momentum if they capitalize on potential opportunities.
Yet, all stakeholders within the organization are acutely aware of the uphill climb. As Lewis reflected, “We saw we were playing good ball the last few weeks. Everything as a team, it wasn't coming together. It came together in a better way last week, and I feel like that gave us the belief to say, 'We all can play good ball and win out.'” The onus now is on the Cowboys to sustain the synergy they found against Washington and leverage each game as a stepping stone for improvement and success.
For the Dallas Cowboys, the road ahead remains challenging, but the victory over the Commanders has injected a fresh sense of belief and possibility. Maintaining that trajectory could transform this struggling season into a testament to resilience and tenacity, revitalizing their quest for post-season contention.