(Editor’s Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in ‘Mailbag’ presented by Miller Lite.)
I realize it’s only Week 7, and the term “must-win” is often overused, but how big is this game against the Eagles? It feels like it could be a tipping point for the entire season. – Bryan Carter/Austin, TX
Nick: I think this is as “must-win” as a Week 7 game can be for the Cowboys. It’s probably about the same for the Eagles, but they’re not actually expected to win and it won’t be considered an embarrassing loss if the short-handed Eagles lose to a Cowboys team that still has most of their star players intact.
But more than the matchup, the Cowboys can’t afford to keep losing games, especially if the Giants are finding ways to win. At this point, there’s not going to be a real chance for the Wild Card, so it’s all about catching the Giants, who beat them in Week 1. Oddly enough, because the Giants and Commanders tied, the head-to-head tiebreaker won’t really factor into play unless the Cowboys finish with a tie later in the season.
But this Monday Night game is crucial for Dallas because they’ve got to figure out a way to right the ship. And playing a banged-up Eagles team with a young, inexperienced quarterback is the perfect place to start.
I’ve been saying all week that this is the “swing” game for the season. Win this one and get to 3-4 with the Cardinals, Colts, 49ers and Titans as the next four games, I think it would be the start for something going for this Cowboys team. But lose the game and get to 2-5, reality will set in that every game from here on out will be a struggle.