It’s also the talk of the bye week, after owner and general manager Jerry Jones referenced an unannounced trade on a national television sports talk show hours before a 27-17 loss to Arizona on Monday night sent the Cowboys to their bye.
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That agreement did not cause much impact, but another one did.
The Cowboys scored their second blockbuster in just two months following the Parsons trade, this time adding rather than subtracting by acquiring star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets. A few hours earlier, on trade deadline day, Dallas signed Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson.
An uneven first half of the season, featuring one of the best offenses and worst defenses in the NFL, left unanswered the question of whether any trade could help Dallas.
The answer didn’t seem very promising after the loss to the Cardinals, but Dak Prescott remembers 2018. That’s when the Cowboys, who are 3-5-1, had nearly the same record, traded for wide receiver Amari Cooper and won a playoff game for the first time with their star quarterback.
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There are other similarities, including the fact that Dallas was heading into its bye when he was traded for Cooper, and he played Monday night on the way out. This year, the Cowboys visit the Las Vegas Raiders on November 17.
But there is a big difference. Even years ago, Dallas’ defense finished in the top 10. Even with the addition of Williams, this defense will have a hard time breaking out of the bottom five.
“I’m being very realistic,” Jones said. “We’ve won three games. So I know how to add up. I can add up and see how many games we have left and what possible record combinations could get you into the playoffs.”
At the very least, the addition of Williams will give the Dallas locker room reason to believe in a change similar to that of 2018.
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“I know we lost the first week we had (Cooper) on Monday night, but we ended up coming back and went on a run,” Prescott said. “That’s what this league is about: creating streaks. That’s still ahead of us. There are a lot of games left to play and we can still get a streak going.”
What is working?
Prescott’s offense was the best in the league for seven weeks, but has shown signs of faltering as the Cowboys lost consecutive games for the first time this season.
Prescott had a four-game streak of at least three touchdowns without an interception. He has a touchdown pass and three picks in the last two games. Receiver George Pickens, acquired from Pittsburgh in the offseason, had a five-game touchdown streak. Now he has gone three games without one.
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Dallas will be fine if CeeDee Lamb and Pickens can start clicking again, and running back Javonte Williams can continue to get to the end zone.
What needs help?
The NFL’s 31st-ranked defense continues to give up big chunks of yards for long stretches. The latest example was Arizona scoring on consecutive drives of 70+ yards after the Cowboys blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown. Those two Cardinals touchdowns came either side of halftime, putting Dallas in a 24-7 hole. The Cowboys have allowed at least 40 points twice. The worst club in terms of 40-point games allowed in a season is three.
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Kenny Clark erased any doubt that age would be an issue after the Cowboys traded the dynamic Parsons in his prime for a 30-year-old coming off an injury-plagued season. Clark has 2 1/2 sacks and plenty of impact on a defensive front that has shown better resistance against the run, but with plenty of room to improve.
Stock down
CB Trevon Diggs’ days in Dallas seem numbered. He will miss at least two more games after going on injured reserve due to a concussion suffered in an accident at home. The Cowboys have said he is also dealing with knee issues. Diggs spent the last two seasons rehabbing major knee injuries. Dallas can release the 2021 All-Pro in the offseason with minimal impact on the salary cap.
Injuries
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LB DeMarvion Overshown could make his season debut against the Raiders. He tore several knee ligaments late last season, the second major knee injury in his first two seasons. Rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel is in the same 21-day practice window upon his return from IR. That window expires before the Las Vegas game. … Dallas hopes to get safeties Malik Hooker (toe) and Donovan Wilson (elbow/shoulder) back after the break.
Key number
1 – The number of times in franchise history the Cowboys have allowed at least 400 yards per game. They’re at 397 shortly after halftime.
Next steps
The Cowboys play four of the next five games at home after the trip to Las Vegas. But the calendar is brutal. Defending champion Philadelphia visits on Nov. 23, followed by the runner-up Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day. Three more playoff teams from last season follow: Detroit on the road, then Minnesota and the Los Angeles Chargers at home.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL