The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 NFL season with high hopes and playoff expectations, aiming to make a deep run in the postseason. However, as the season progresses through Week 10, those expectations are fading rapidly. Under head coach Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys have struggled to gain any momentum, and their record now stands at a disappointing 3-6.
The Cowboys have lost each of their last four games, including a crushing 34-6 defeat at the hands of their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, this past Sunday.
The loss to the Eagles was particularly painful, as it showcased the Cowboys’ inability to compete against top-tier teams in their division, further dimming their playoff hopes.
Heading into Week 11, the Cowboys are preparing for a primetime matchup against the Houston Texans on “Monday Night Football.” With their backs against the wall, this game is seen as a must-win for Dallas if they hope to turn their season around and salvage what remains of their playoff aspirations.
During Saturday’s edition of “College GameDay” on ESPN, veteran analyst Kirk Herbstreit did not hold back in his assessment of the Cowboys. While previewing the upcoming Monday night game, Herbstreit took a brutal jab at Dallas, describing the team as a “train wreck.”
“Just keep putting Dallas in those high-profile windows. They just keep losing games. That is a train wreck,” Herbstreit said, summing up the team’s current state in two harsh words. His co-host, Rece Davis, then quipped, “Other than that, what’s your opinion on the Cowboys?”
Herbstreit, sticking to his blunt assessment, simply replied, “It’s awful.”
RELATED: Cowboys’ Interest in Deion Sanders Revealed in New Report
The Cowboys’ struggles have been evident throughout the season, but their poor performance in recent weeks has put them under an even harsher spotlight. Despite their difficulties, Dallas is set to feature prominently in upcoming primetime games.
In addition to their Week 11 matchup against the Texans, the Cowboys will also play in a Thanksgiving Day game against the New York Giants in Week 13, followed by another “Monday Night Football” showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14.
Adding to the Cowboys’ woes is the absence of starting quarterback Dak Prescott, who suffered a hamstring injury during a Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Prescott’s injury has sidelined him for the remainder of the season, leaving the Cowboys to rely on backup quarterback Cooper Rush as their new QB1. While Rush has shown flashes of competence in previous outings, the challenge of leading a struggling team with dwindling playoff hopes is a daunting one.
The Cowboys’ upcoming game against the Texans will be crucial, not just for their playoff chances but also for their pride. Monday night’s contest, set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. EST from AT&T Stadium, will be an opportunity for Dallas to show that they still have fight left in them.
The Texans, while not considered one of the league’s elite teams, pose enough of a challenge to test the resolve of a Cowboys squad that is desperately searching for answers.
With the spotlight on them in multiple high-profile games, the Cowboys need to prove that they can rise above the adversity and regain the confidence that has eluded them this season. As Herbstreit pointed out, Dallas has been given numerous chances in primetime, but so far, they have failed to deliver.
If they continue down this path, their season will end as nothing more than a disappointing “train wreck”—a sentiment that many Cowboys fans are hoping the team can avoid.
The road ahead is not an easy one, but with games against divisional rivals and playoff contenders, the Cowboys still have the opportunity to change the narrative.
Whether they can capitalize on that opportunity or succumb to the pressure remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Dallas as they fight to keep their season alive.