The Dallas Cowboys returned to reality against the Cardinals

Well well well. I knew it was a matter of time, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

THe’s been under discussion for two weeks ESPN and other networks threw up and talked about how great the Dallas Cowboys looked against the Giants and Jets. Their game against the Cardinals in Week 3 should be nothing more than a formality on Dallas’ path to 3-0. But as I said just days before this game, everyone had to do it Slow down the coronation this team too early.

Lo and behold, a few days later, the Cowboys strolled into Arizona way too confidently and took a hitdown.

Whenever I have to point this out to the Cowboys, it’s like a dagger in my back 12 year old me. Because places like ESPN tiptoe around It’s like Dallas hasn’t disappointed their fans in over a quarter century, it’s up to me to rein it in expectations for this team. Even if they win 12 or 13 games in the regular season, you know what the outcome will be when the playoffs begin.

This departmentThe round ceiling is much closer than it seems.

Of course, you’ll hear plenty of excuses this week to buffer the blow of a loss to the Cardinals. Calls that were missed or did not work in Dallas’ favor, and Things like that. None of this changes the fact that the Cowboys lost by 12 points. Her A great defense had more holes than Swiss cheese, as James Conner averaged seven yards per carry for the Cardinals. We can’t blame this on Trevon Diggs being out with a season-ending injury. It certainly doesn’t help moving forward, but the Cardinals trampled on the Cowboys’ defense.

It’s likely Dallas still wins around 11 games this year, but they need to tighten up that Run D quickly with a trip to the Bay Area on the horizon. After a Week 4 clash against New England, Dallas plays San Francisco in a rematch of last year’s division game. So you know Dallas is it Expect a hefty helping of Christian McCaffrey. Then the weapons on the outside, Deebo Samuel (day-to-day after a rib injury) and Brandon Aiyuk. And let’s not forget George Kittle in the middle of the field. This would be a challenge for the Cowboys with Diggs on the field.

So before you turn into Drake and go all in on your feelings, I’m not saying the Cowboys finished as a playoff contender. In fact, they could still win the NFC East and host a game in the postseason. What I’m saying is the same thing I’ve been saying for years: Let’s relax with Super Bowl chatter. You know it, I know it… That will not happen. Whether you want to admit it is irrelevant.

The 30th anniversary of the last NFC title and Super Bowl is fast approaching. Don’t be angry with the messenger. I’m just pointing out the reality that many of you don’t want to face.