ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones by no means thought his workforce could be on this place after 9 video games, simply 3-5-1 after Monday’s 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, however he was one thing of a realist after the sport.
“We have received three ballgames and right here we’re with this juncture,” Jones stated. “So, I do know the way to add. I imply, I am not making an attempt to be trite, however I can add it up and have a look at the numbers of video games we have got left and what potential mixtures of data may get you within the playoffs. We have now all that down actual good.”
The Cowboys are in second place within the NFC East, 3½ video games behind the Philadelphia Eagles. They’re at the moment eleventh within the convention standings, behind two groups that already beat Dallas, the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers, whereas edging the Cardinals solely due to their Week 4 tie towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
After the Cowboys play the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 17, following their bye week, the subsequent 5 opponents — Eagles, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers — are a mixed 26-16.
The video games towards the Eagles, Chiefs and Lions are available in a 12-day span.
“Each recreation is a must-win going ahead,” quarterback Dak Prescott stated. “You say that, and you are feeling that within the NFL and you need to really feel that. However if you put your self able or behind like we’ve, it is much more so that is the case. … Having all these video games to play, you may catch a sizzling streak and be proper within the combine. That is nice. However you bought to get a streak going and if you aren’t getting a streak going, you are simply placing your self increasingly more behind the 8-ball, so it is now or by no means.”
Jones’ first order of enterprise is Tuesday’s commerce deadline. Earlier Monday, he stated on Stephen A. Smith’s present on Sirius XM that the Cowboys had a commerce in place. After the Cardinals’ loss, Jones framed it in a different way, saying there’s a commerce he may make.
“While you’ve received solely three video games at this juncture, then you definately acknowledge you’ve got obtained a number of floor to make up,” Jones stated. “And I am very conscious of that. And, sure, I’d agree with you. It’s an uphill battle. Can we’ve the sorts of issues we had been relying on? I used to be actually hoping we would have a pair extra wins on the win column earlier than we began profiting from any alternatives to vary the roster. And in order that’s nonetheless there into account.”
The largest space of concern is a protection that has been depleted from the beginning of the season. The Cowboys have wants at defensive position, linebacker and the secondary to think about, and have had discussions with a number of groups about gamers at completely different positions.
“There may be one [trade] that I can do. With out query, there may be one I can do. There may be not one [completed], however there may be one which I can do,” Jones stated. “And I am leaning towards doing it.”
The deal won’t be on the magnitude of the 2018 commerce with the Raiders for large receiver Amari Cooper that flipped the season within the Cowboys’ favor.
“I would not need to get into it. It is simply the character of everyone concerned within the commerce,” Jones stated. “However something is critical if it is any individual that is going to be lively within the video games, on the sector, that kind of factor. So I do not need to diminish the commerce. However we actually, for what a participant was going to deliver to the desk, for no matter occurred tonight, we want that participant to deliver that to the desk, it doesn’t matter what occurred tonight. However does it make sense?”
As Jones wrestles with the ultimate steps of constructing that commerce — or a number of trades — coach Brian Schottenheimer wrestles with the way to put the whole lot collectively. And it goes past the scuffling protection. Prior to now two video games, the first-team offense has averaged 13.5 factors. Prescott was sacked 5 instances by the Cardinals, and the Cowboys turned the ball over 3 times.
“We obtained a number of work to do,” Schottenheimer stated. “I challenged the fellows. We have to search out options. We sit the place we sit.”
With eight video games to play, the Cowboys’ season is on the road and a commerce won’t be sufficient to repair the whole lot.
“You have obtained a number of floor to make up. I will grant anyone that,” Jones stated. “Can we get there with higher play, much less errors? Can we get there with that? Are we going to have some personnel? We’ll have the chance to have some completely different personnel than the primary a part of this season, both shopping for by way of a commerce or gamers that we have had coming [back from injury]. You guys have been listening to about that and studying about that right here for weeks and weeks and weeks.
“The outdated Parcells quote, ‘You might be what you’re,’ proper immediately. We have to try it, and you will not be disenchanted that I did not get carried away, get illogical and do one thing that was all betting on us successful the Tremendous Bowl. I do not assume you may be disenchanted.”