The ‘Boys may very well be in large hassle

The Dallas Cowboys are closing out one other season on shaky floor, although they’ve already locked up the NFC East title.

The Cowboys go to division rival Philadelphia within the season finale, however will achieve this with out two of their finest gamers. Rookie linebacker Micah Parsons and All-Professional deal with Tyron Smith will miss the season finale in opposition to the Eagles as each have examined optimistic for COVID-19.

Each gamers are anticipated to be accessible the next week for the wild-card recreation in Dallas. However heading into this recreation with Philly, the Cowboys nonetheless technically have a shot (albeit an extended one) on the No. 2 seed within the NFC. Dallas must deal with its enterprise first by beating the Eagles Saturday evening. Then sit again, watch and hope for losses by the Rams, Cardinals, and Buccaneers. Once more, it’s an extended shot, however stranger issues have certainly occurred.

Sadly, as lackluster because the Cowboys’ offense has been of late, this crew is used to enjoying with out Smith. He’s missed no less than three video games annually because the 2016 season and was sidelined all however two video games final season. They’re significantly better with Smith on the sphere, however they’ve discovered to regulate to being with out him, because of fixed accidents. However Parsons and the protection are a unique story.

Parsons has grow to be a frontrunner and essentially the most versatile participant on the Cowboys’ protection in only one season. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn traces Parsons up everywhere and permits him to make use of his versatility to have an effect on the sport in so some ways. Whether Micah lines up on the defensive position or as a linebacker, he’s going to make his presence felt in some way. With Parsons having examined optimistic for COVID, nobody is aware of the way it will have an effect on him transferring ahead. Some gamers have been hit fairly exhausting, whereas others solely mildly. If Parsons returns for the wild-card recreation and isn’t his regular self , Dallas might be in scorching water regardless of who they match up with.

Figuring out all of this, Week 18 in Philadelphia is a large recreation for Dallas, as a loss locks them into the fourth seed, leading to a rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys simply misplaced to the Cardinals in Week 17, dropping Dallas from No. 2 within the convention to 4. Dallas can nonetheless climb as much as the third seed, however that scenario is far less probably.

This can be a big-play protection in Dallas, and with out their greatest playmaker in opposition to the Eagles, it may very well be an extended day. The Cowboys don’t possess that all-around shutdown protection (nobody actually does anymore) as they’re liable to giving up large yards. This Cowboys protection makes their living off takeaways, and is tied for first (Indianapolis) with 33 whole takeaways, and 25 of these are INTs, which additionally ranks first within the NFL. Dallas’ turnover differential is +13, rating them third within the league. Jerry Jones’ Cowboys haven’t been so reliant on the protection in a really very long time.

Parsons has been on the head of this turnaround, with Quinn and his defensive scheme. Coaches are tasked with placing gamers ready to succeed on the sphere, and Parsons has taken full benefit of how Quinn has utilized his skills this yr. A lot of the important contributors on this protection had been in Dallas final yr after they had been traditionally dangerous. Parsons just about had the defensive rookie of the yr award locked up in December. There was even speak of him having an opportunity at profitable the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, as properly. However with the yr T.J. Watt is having (21.5 sacks) in Pittsburgh, that isn’t probably at this level.

Turnovers are the secret in Dallas proper now, and in the event that they hope for an extended postseason run, they’ll want this pattern to proceed via January. This season, the Cowboys are simply 1-3 after they fail to snag no less than one INT in a recreation. They’re 0-2 after they don’t procure an INT or a fumble. With out Parsons inflicting confusion and getting after opposing QBs, this could be an excessive amount of of a hurdle for the ’Boys to beat.