The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) are heading into November under pressure to turn their season around, beginning with a tough matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) this Sunday. Dallas is desperate for an offensive spark, particularly after struggling through a season filled with missed opportunities and costly turnovers. Here’s a look at some key stats and factors to watch as the Cowboys face the challenging road ahead.
#1. Below .500 Through Seven Games
The Cowboys’ 3-4 record marks their first time under .500 this late in the season since 2020, a season marred by Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury. In 2018, Dallas managed a similar 3-4 start before winning seven of their final eight games to make the playoffs.
#2. Troubling Turnover Margin
With a -8 turnover margin, the Cowboys are near the bottom of the league in giveaways, tied for the third-worst ratio. This figure highlights a troubling pattern: the offense has thrown nine interceptions and lost four fumbles, while the defense has forced only four interceptions and recovered one fumble.
#3. Ezekiel Elliott Joins Cowboys’ Elite
Ezekiel Elliott’s 70th touchdown for Dallas last week puts him in elite company with Cowboys legends Emmitt Smith (153) and Tony Dorsett (72), making him the third running back in team history to hit this milestone.
#4. Dak’s Passing Struggles
Dak Prescott’s interceptions have been costly; he’s thrown two picks in each of his last three games, marking the first time he’s hit this streak in his career. Prescott’s passer rating has topped 100 only once in seven starts this season, signaling the need for a boost in offensive efficiency.
#5. Halftime Leads Not Enough
The Cowboys have led at halftime in all four road games this season. Last week, they led 10-6 against San Francisco before being shut out in the third quarter. So far, Dallas has been outscored 61-19 in third quarters, raising concerns about their ability to close out games.
#6. CeeDee Lamb: NFL Leader in Yards per Touch
CeeDee Lamb leads the NFL with 12.3 yards per touch, showing his impact in both the receiving and rushing game. Lamb averages 13.6 yards per catch and has gained 4.6 yards per carry on eight rushing attempts this season, proving to be a versatile threat for Dallas.
#7. Lack of Explosive Runs
The Cowboys’ ground game has struggled, with just 10 runs of 10 yards or more and no carry longer than 13 yards this season. On the defensive end, they’ve allowed 31 runs of 10 or more yards, revealing a key area for improvement.
#8. Rare Comebacks Under McCarthy
Since 2020, Dallas has only four wins after trailing by 10 points or more, and just one since 2021. The Cowboys are 4-25 in games where they’ve fallen behind by double digits, highlighting their challenges in mounting comebacks.
#9. Cousins’ Fumble Issue
Kirk Cousins has fumbled 91 times since 2015, the most in the NFL. His six fumbles this season put him among the league’s leaders, offering Dallas a potential advantage if they can force turnovers.
#10. The Gauntlet of Games Ahead
The next four matchups are all against teams leading or in second place in their divisions: Atlanta, Houston, Washington, and Philadelphia, with a combined record of 22-9. Dallas is currently 1-3 against division leaders this season, making this a pivotal stretch to determine their playoff chances.
As the Cowboys enter this demanding stretch, these factors will be critical in deciding whether they can claw their way back into playoff contention or continue to struggle against top teams. With their season hanging in the balance, each game in November will be a must-win.
