The Dallas Cowboys lost quarterback Dak Prescott for the season on Sunday, as the 27-year-old quarterback suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. The Cowboys, however, still managed to beat the New York Giants 37-34 on a 34-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein as time expired. They are now 2-3 on the season – and atop the NFC East.
Is it possible for the Cowboys to still win the division?
“I think it is,” PFF analyst Sam Monson said on The DA Show. “The Cowboys, whether they won or lost yesterday, were still going to be in reasonable shape because that division is still wide open. Nobody is looking capable of stepping up and making a big run and going for a lot of wins. [A] .500 [record] probably takes that division.”
Veteran Andy Dalton was more than serviceable in relief of Prescott. He finished 9-of-11 for 111 yards and found Michael Gallup for a 38-yard strike to set up Zuerlein’s game-winnner.
“Look, losing Dak Prescott is a blow. It’s a horrible situation for him, and your heart goes out to the guy,” Monson said. “But Andy Dalton is not a terrible backup. He’s not a bad quarterback to have to turn to, and all the rest of the things that were standing in Dak’s favor this season [are] still there for Dalton. He has one of the best receiving corps in the NFL to work with. The offensive line has fallen apart, and that’s going to be an issue for him; it was becoming an issue for Dak. But Andy Dalton can still execute that offense to a pretty high level.”
The Cowboys host Arizona (3-2) on Monday Night Football in Week 6 before pivotal NFC East showdowns with Washington (1-4) and Philadelphia (1-3-1) on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, respectively.
“I think they’re still in reasonable shape if they can turn things around on defense and if they can get viable play from the offensive line,” Monson said. “We’ve seen quality PFF grades from Andy Dalton in the past when his supporting cast was good, so I think they’re still in a reasonable spot. Dallas can still take that division with Andy Dalton at quarterback.”