NFL2 hours ago2 minute read

Cowboys Stay Alive in NFC East After Messy Week Across Division

Dallas sits at 2-3 after losing to Tampa Bay, but a chaotic Week 5 across the NFC East keeps the divisional race wide open.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Struggles in Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys sit at 2-3 after a 24-16 home defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The loss marked the team's first home defeat against an opponent with a 0-4 or worse record since 1975. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer now has a 9-12-1 record with Dallas and has gone 3-6 over his last nine games.

Schottenheimer said the team is just getting started and noted that time is on their side. Owner Jerry Jones spoke on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas and said the team must focus more on the present than the future. Dallas has four picks remaining in the 2027 draft after trading a 2028 second round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Joey Porter Jr. on Oct. 1.

Defensive and Offensive Woes

The defense under first year coordinator Christian Parker has surrendered at least 378 yards and at least 20 points in all five games this season. The unit gave up a 27 yard completion with seven seconds left against Baltimore in Week 3 to set up a winning field goal. They also allowed Tampa Bay to convert a third and 21 play.

The offense managed only 50 rushing yards against Tampa Bay. Turnovers led directly to defeats in Week 1 against the New York Giants and Week 5 against the Buccaneers. Schottenheimer has faced questions about his decision making, including a 65 yard field goal attempt that was missed against Houston and a decision to attempt a two point conversion after cutting Tampa Bay's lead to 24-16.

Division Race Remains Open

Quarterback Dak Prescott said his focus is making sure players do not lose belief in each other. The team recently completed a stretch of three games in 12 days across two continents.

The Cowboys remain tied for second place because every team in the NFC East struggled in Week 5. The Philadelphia Eagles fell to 2-3 after blowing a lead late in their game. The New York Giants stand at 3-1-1 and the Washington Commanders are 1-3-1 after playing to a tie against each other.

Injuries and roster changes have hit the division hard. The Giants lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season. Philadelphia right tackle Lane Johnson retired last week. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels wore a brace on Sunday in his return from a dislocated left elbow. Prescott noted that having nobody run away with the division gives the locker room confidence.

What it means for the next game

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (NFL, Mon, 19 Oct): Green Bay Packers win 48%, Dallas Cowboys win 52%; projected score Green Bay Packers 27, Dallas Cowboys 25. Our safest pick: Under 59.5 points.