Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys are not an overrated 'schoolyard bully'

The Cowboys (9-3) are facing overrated claims despite looking like a juggernaut in three consecutive victories.  

Although they smoked the Colts 54-19 on Sunday, brash Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd isn't buying the Cowboys championship stock, comparing them to a schoolyard bully since they throttled a weak opponent. 

"They seize on the weak and terrified. But when they face top quarterbacks and real pass-rushes, that is when I don't trust them," Cowherd said on Monday. 

In addition to throttling the Colts, the Cowboys have beaten legitimate teams like the Bengals (8-4) in Week 2 and the Vikings (10-2) in Week 11. Each has a 90 percent or better chance to make the playoffs, per the New York Times Playoff Picture.  

The start vs. the Colts wasn't ideal. The Cowboys held a thin 21-19 lead before the fourth quarter, but forced five turnovers en route to scoring 33 points in the final quarter to turn a nail-biter into a rout. 

While five turnovers in a single quarter is somewhat of a fluke, the Cowboys have shown an ability to get takeaways. Through 12 games, they have forced 21 turnovers, second in the league. 

Per Oddschecker, the Eagles (11-1) have the third-best Super Bowl odds. They beat the Colts by one point in Week 11. The Chiefs (9-3), who have the second-best odds, lost to Indianapolis in Week 3. The Cowboys blowing out the Colts gives them credibility, which is why they have the fourth-best odds.

They're not a bully picking on the NFL's weakest, but a championship contender earning the respect of the entire school block. 

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