"While we enjoyed the W, it still only brought the Cowboys' record to 4-5-1. They're still just tenth in the NFC standings, with the ninth-place Panthers at 6-5 and holding a head-to-head tiebreaker. The last wild card spot is currently held by the 7-4 49ers. So for some, if not many, Monday's victory may have offered little encouragement and even frustration over weakened 2026 draft picks."
"Still, unless you completely discount the Raiders as a credible opponent, what we saw in Vegas offered room for optimism. The defense did look better, and that was with completely new pieces or some existing ones in larger roles. And the offense, against a Vegas defense that was middle-of-the-road going into the game, was firing on all cylinders once Lamb and Pickens were let out of the penalty box."
"Continued efforts like those from both sides of the ball could be enough to flip Dallas' performance from the first half of the year, making a final record of 9-7-1 reasonable. That's not going to win the NFC East, of course, but it's been good enough to snag the last wild card spot in three of the last four seasons. There's still a big hole to dig out of, naturally, but the Cowboys took the right first step against the Raiders."
The Cowboys entered the second half of the 2025 season with momentum after a Monday night win in Las Vegas but still sit at 4-5-1 and tenth in the NFC. The Panthers hold a tiebreaker and the 49ers currently own the last wild-card spot, creating a steep climb to the postseason. Defensive play improved with new or expanded roles for personnel, and the offense functioned efficiently once Lamb and Pickens were effectively involved. Dak Prescott continues to exploit defensive looks, shifting production between receivers. Sustained performance from both units could make a 9-7-1 finish feasible, but significant uncertainties remain.
Read at Blogging The Boys
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