Week 5 of the NFL season was filled with excitement across the board. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a thrilling victory over the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars stunned the Buffalo Bills, while the Miami Dolphins continued their offensive blitzkrieg on the league. Oh, and the San Francisco 49ers crushed the Dallas Cowboys.
Ja’Marr Chase and A.J. Brown shined while De’Von Achane and Zack Moss flashed again. Joe Burrow finally looked like Joe Burrow as well.
As the Sunday games wrapped up in Week 5, there were plenty of overreactions to go around. Which are overreactions and which are reality?
The Cowboys are paper tigers
Overreaction or reality: Reality
The same script persists. The Cowboys blew out bad football teams like the Giants and Patriots and lost to a team they shouldn’t in the Cardinals through their first four games of the season. The 49ers were the real test to prove how good Dallas was among the NFC hierarchy.
Instead, the Cowboys put up a complete dud. Dak Prescott threw three interceptions against a 49ers defense that has his number (has 21 in his last 19 games played including postseason) and the defense allowed 42 points, having no answer for Brock Purdy (four touchdowns).
The Cowboys defense dominated Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson and Mac Jones (Josh Dobbs was the other quarterback they faced in that stretch). Facing Purdy, they allowed four touchdowns and a 142.0 passer rating.
The combined record of the first four opponents Dallas faced was 5-15, outscoring opponents 124-41. The 49ers were 5-0 and the Cowboys were outscored 42-10. They allowed more points to the 49ers than they did the previous four games.
Of course, the Cowboys won’t be ultimately judged until January. Through five games, the Cowboys are still paper tigers.
This is Bill Belichick’s last season coaching the Patriots
Overreaction or reality: Reality
Belichick should be…
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