Cowboys' struggles are regarding, however extra necessary assessments lie forward

Martin Rogers

FOX Sports activities Insider

"Do not blink," was the message Dak Prescott relayed to his teammates earlier than the decisive drive that lastly introduced some sense to Sunday afternoon in Arlington. Regardless of that for the earlier three hours, the Dallas Cowboys had blinked and blinked once more and blinked some extra.

The Cowboys had blinked so steadily towards the Houston Texans as to make the eyes water, and there have been very practically some actual tears to come back from a 27-23 nailbiter that you have doubtless already both watched, or caught the highlights of, or examine, so now it is time to determine what all of it means.

We are going to undergo the steps of that right here, however let's give away a spoiler proper on the high. If you happen to're on the lookout for a take that Sunday's outcome means the Cowboys' combating fortitude ensures their playoff readiness, or that their shaky efficiency signifies the alternative, you will be upset.

As a result of we're previous that now.

We're so used to getting forensic on Cowboys shows right now of yr that we will not kick the behavior. It's totally different this time.

Mid-December is right here and we all know that Dallas goes to make the postseason. There's sufficient standing proof to recommend it is a staff able to performing some injury there. And in addition, naturally, of probably flaming out and disappointing its legion of followers.

This actuality is not new, and nothing that occurred on Sunday shifted it. Dallas has a sure place within the NFL hierarchy this season, certainly one of a handful of groups that may already solid a gradual eye towards the playoffs and put together accordingly.

A loss to the Texans would have been a shock, however would it not have spelled doom and been a damning indictment on whether or not Mike McCarthy's group had an opportunity of constructing a postseason splash? Reply sure in the event you should, however to take action would appear somewhat on the overreactive facet.

The reverse applies as nicely. Does getting over the road late towards Houston because of a relaxed last drive — behind Prescott's forceful arm and Dalton Schultz's certain palms and Ezekiel Elliott's skillful footwork  — imply they're now battle-tested and hardened and may use the reminiscence of the expertise to optimistic impact in January?

No.

It was an thrilling sport, a spirited efficiency by the Texans and a strong job of getting out of a jam by the Cowboys. And that is actually it; no trigger or achieve available from searing takes.

Prescott performed it up as one thing extra significant than that, as a result of he is good and savvy and that is what QBs do; spout positivity and put some verbal sheen on a efficiency that typically lacked gloss.

"We would have liked that sport," he instructed reporters. "You are going to play some robust video games. You have to play one-score video games within the again finish, simply to have that confidence and belief in one another."

Reality be instructed, we do not know rather more than we did going into the weekend. We all know Dallas is able to taking part in poorly in stretches of a sport, and we knew that prior, as a result of we all know that applies to each staff within the league, even the 12-1 Philadelphia Eagles.

We all know the Cowboys have an excellent quarterback who can ship underneath duress, and that is not an enormous revelation both. We all know Dallas has sufficient smarts and timeliness to battle again from adversity towards a staff that was 1-10-1 and yeah, we might have guessed that one too if we would bothered to think about it.

The remainder of this Cowboys season is a pure outcomes enterprise, not a seek for deeper which means. Can Prescott's offense and a fiery, hungry protection churn out sufficient wins to pressurize the Eagles? Can they flip the second-best file within the NFC and a No. 5 seed into one of the best file and a No. 1, with all the benefits it could entail?

That is what issues. No optimistic indicators and worrying indicators and key indicators and ethical victories or psychological setbacks. It is about wins and losses.

A postseason is approaching wherein the Cowboys are a legit menace and need to be considered one of many NFC's main favorites.

The time between every now and then goes to fly by. Blink and you will miss it.

Do not blink … and also you typically get an thrilling end and a feel-good comeback. However not rather more. Not but, anyway.

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Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports and the author of the FOX Sports Insider newsletter. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the each day publication.

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