The Dallas Cowboys have spent years swinging between promise and frustration. One week, the offense looks lost. Next, the Cowboys beat a division rival and made another run feel possible.
Monday’s win matters, but it would be easy to read too much into one night. Jerry Jones must decide what that result means before making his next roster move.
Dallas beat Philadelphia 38-21 on October 26, improving to 3-4. The victory kept the Cowboys in the NFC East race, but it did not erase the problems exposed against Tampa Bay and Green Bay.
Jerry Jones Weighs Cowboys’ Trade Deadline Options
A Much-Needed Win
There was plenty to like about the performance. Dallas rushed for 204 yards, while Javonte Williams produced a career-high 155 yards.
Dak Prescott also threw three touchdown passes without an interception. It was another example of the quarterback delivering when Dallas needed him.
Still, context matters. Philadelphia played without injured starter Jalen Hurts, and backup Tanner McKee threw an interception.
Dallas earned the win and deserves credit for taking advantage. But one strong performance against a backup quarterback does not prove the Cowboys can beat the NFL’s best teams in January.
The Roster Still Has a Costly Gap
Dallas acquired Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh in September, sending the Steelers a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
The Porter trade addressed an obvious need, but it also made another major move more expensive.
Jones has left the door open for another addition before the November 10 deadline. The Cowboys trade report discussed possible pass-rush targets, including Josh Sweat and Maxx Crosby.
Those names are possibilities, not confirmed offers. That distinction matters. Dallas should consider another deal only if the player fixes a recurring problem and provides enough value to justify the price.
The Defense Must Decide the Deadline
Dallas entered the season needing more consistency from its defense, but the offense has also contributed to the team’s problems.
In the 23-13 loss to Green Bay, the Cowboys failed to score until the third quarter. That performance followed a 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay. The loss to Green Bay showed how quickly wasted possessions can leave Dallas chasing a game.
Monday offered some encouraging defensive moments, including an interception by DeMarvion Overshown. Once again, though, the Eagles were operating with a backup quarterback.
Before spending more draft capital, Jones needs evidence that Dallas can pressure starting quarterbacks, get off the field on third down, and avoid costly penalties.
Adding another cornerback would not solve every issue. At some point, the coaching staff must get more from the players already on the roster.
Two Games Should Shape the Decision
Dallas plays Arizona on November 1 and Indianapolis on November 8, with both games coming before the trade deadline. Those matchups should provide better evidence than one victory over a weakened division rival.
The Cowboys need to show that the running game can remain effective, Prescott can continue protecting the football and the defense can handle different offenses.
Nobody is asking Dallas to abandon the playoff race. The Cowboys can pursue a postseason berth without pretending this roster is already built to win a championship.
A trade makes sense if it addresses a clear weakness at a reasonable price. It becomes much harder to defend if Dallas sacrifices another premium pick simply because the division remains within reach.
Teams can make the playoffs with losing records. Reaching the postseason, however, does not automatically make a team a contender.
The Last Word
Jones should keep the season alive without paying any price for short-term help. The Philadelphia win showed what Dallas can do when it runs effectively and protects the ball.
Now the next two games must show whether that performance is sustainable. If the defense continues to struggle on third down, the Cowboys should keep their picks instead of chasing one playoff appearance.
Main Image: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
