Cowboys need to quickly 'flip the switch' before the playoffs
Dallas wideout CeeDee Lamb said, "we all got to flip the switch," following a 26-6 loss to Washington on Sunday. Lamb is spot-on since the Cowboys looked like a different team against the Commanders.
The team that had won 12 games heading into Week 18 made several flabbergasting miscues, including a botched punt attempt by Bryan Anger, a muffed punt return by KaVontae Turpin and Dak Prescott throwing a pick-six.
The Cowboys beat themselves and exposed one of their weaknesses one week before the playoffs: they lack the consistent and crisp execution required for a championship team.
Although Dallas is a talented team with seven Pro Bowlers, it didn't dominate opponents over its last five regular-season games and is on a turbulent trajectory.
The Cowboys played in three one-possession games, barely winning twice. They also surrendered 136 points and committed 11 turnovers.
Dallas scraped by going 3-2 in its last five games, but it didn't look strong like fellow NFC championship contender San Francisco (13-4), who went 5-0 to end the regular season.
"Indeed, they can't even have total confidence in what team is going to show up against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers on Jan.16," wrote Yahoo! NFL columnist Charles Robinson.
The Cowboys need to sharpen their concentration, which made them a championship contender earlier in the season. If they fail to regain it, the Cowboys waste the potential of a second consecutive 12-win season with another first-round exit.
But if Dallas turns the switch on, it can be in the championship mix. Per Oddschecker, the Cowboys still have the sixth-best Super Bowl odds.
More must-reads: