The Dallas Cowboys have hit a new low, securing their first losing season since Mike McCarthy took over as head coach in 2020. Sunday’s humiliating 41-7 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles cemented their fate, with a current record that guarantees they’ll finish below .500. For a franchise with sky-high expectations, this collapse has left fans and players alike in utter disbelief.
“Nobody plans to lose,” said quarterback Dak Prescott after the game. “Nobody plans to have a losing season. You expect playoffs every year. You expect to win this division. It sucks. It’s frustrating.”
New Video of Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy Sparking Reactions in Cowboys Locker Room
Prescott’s disappointment reflects the sentiment across the locker room. McCarthy, however, chose a more pragmatic approach, focusing on finishing strong despite the team’s struggles. “I’m here to finish the race,” he said, referring to the season-ending matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Related:
What went wrong? injuries, declining performance, and lost momentum
The Cowboys‘ downfall has been nothing short of dramatic. After three consecutive seasons finishing 12-5 with top-five rankings on both offense and defense, Dallas has taken a significant step back. This year, the team’s offense has plummeted from averaging 29.5 points per game to just 20.7, while the defense has fallen to 30th in the league, allowing a staggering 27.8 points per game.
Injuries have played a critical role in this decline. Key players like Prescott, Demarcus Lawrence, Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs, and CeeDee Lamb have all spent time on injured reserve. Even defensive standout Micah Parsons missed several games, further crippling the team’s chances.
The end of a championship window?
For a team that entered the season with hopes of playoff redemption after another postseason loss in 2023, the Cowboys‘ inability to recover has sparked questions about their future. Eliminated from playoff contention last weekend, Dallas is now staring down its worst season in four years.
With one game remaining, McCarthy’s focus is on salvaging pride, but the disappointment is palpable. “We expected so much more,” said Prescott. “This is not who we are.”
The Cowboys face a long offseason of hard questions and tough decisions. Whether they can rebound from this nightmare season will depend on addressing glaring weaknesses, regaining health, and finding the spark that once made them contenders. For now, though, fans can only wonder how it all went so wrong so fast.
