For Dallas Cowboys’ fans, this is a good day. Every Cowboys Nation member by now is sick of hearing about the Ezekiel Elliott suspension, and we all want to get back to see this team play football.
This isn’t the first time, and certainly won’t be the last, that Dak Prescott and the Cowboys face adversity.
I’m counting on the Cowboys to get through it. Yeah, it will be hard. But not even close to being impossible. The Zeke-less stretch starts this Sunday at Atlanta as the Cowboys prepare to face the defending NFC Champions.
I’m calling the Cowboys to walk away with the win today, and maybe make a wish or two from this list come true.
As every Sunday, here is this week’s edition of Cowboys Wishlist!
Wish #1: Dak Prescott Scores Three Touchdowns
We’ve talked about it all of the offseason. We’ve talked about it all season. We’ve argued about it. We’ve deeply discussed the situation. And now, it’s time to get some answers.
Will Dak Prescott lead this offense to win without his superstar running back? Dak has surely been impressive this season, and should be in the MVP conversation. With 21 out, he has a unique chance to prove it.
There’s more than one reason as to why this is on my wish list. Obviously, I want the Cowboys to put up points on the board and get a W, and I want Prescott to prove how good he is.
But also, Dak is the third QB with the most total TDs this season (20), only behind Deshaun Watson (21), and Carson Wentz (23).
Three TDs by Dak would tie him for most in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles’ QB just before they match up in next week’s Sunday Night Football.
NFC East football is always fun, and with the two QBs on the race for the MVP, that’d make for an interesting story to watch. But first, Dak needs to score three touchdowns versus the Falcons.
Wish #2: Rod Smith Gets More Than 10 Carries
Today, the Cowboys’ backfield will feature three capable running backs. The guy who’s been RB2 all season long and has relieved Zeke when he’s needed it has been Alfred Morris. Naturally, he is expected to be the starting running back this week.
However it seems as if Cowboys fans are looking at somebody else. And it’s not Darren McFadden.
His name is Rod Smith.
Smith was a beast in preseason and showed a lot of flashes. Some would argue he deserves the job and he’ll probably make a case for it.
I wish Dallas at least gives him the chance and gets him a minimum of ten carries during the ballgame. The kid is legit.
Wish #3: First Multi-INT Game for Cowboys’ Defense
The Cowboys have accounted for four interceptions in the season. The number isn’t ideal, but this is a young secondary with a lot of work to do.
Today, we might see Chidobe Awuzie return to the field. Although he’s listed as questionable, he was a full participant in practice all week.
In the last few weeks, this defense has accomplished a lot of good, epic things. A multi-interception game would be a nice addition to the list.
Matt Ryan might be testing the Cowboys’ secondary quite a bit today, and with a secondary that’s getting better by the week, it’d be nice to see them have more than one interception in a single game.
Wish #4: Hold Falcons’ Rushing Attack Under 100 Yards
It doesn’t matter if they’re currently at 4-4, when you go against the Matt Ryan-led Atlanta Falcons, you are afraid of the passing game. However, with Julio Jones dealing with an injury, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see this Atlanta team run a lot more.
In the year, only two teams have held the Falcon’s rushing attack under 100 yards.
This defense has been pulling off some incredible feats, or at least incredible for a defense that was supposed to be mediocre.
Having said that, I think the linebackers have been doing a great job and I wish they hold the Falcon’s backfield under 100 yards. Yet another confidence boost for this Cowboys’ defense.
Wish #5: Cowboys Walk Away Healthy
Last week’s victory over the Kansas City Chiefs was more than awesome. A quality win versus a quality opponent right when the Cowboys needed it.
However, it came at an expensive cost. Dez Bryant, Brian Price, Terrance Williams and Tyron Smith all suffered injuries during the game. Fortunately, Williams turned out to be okay. But the rest weren’t so lucky.
Now the Cowboys are not only missing Elliott, but will miss Tyron and probably Dez. Both are important contributors and it will hurt to not see them playing.
It will be a big challenge for the Cowboys to win this game, but if they do, I sincerely wish they do so without more injuries, This team doesn’t need that at all right now.
