On a three-game losing streak and looking up at the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East standings, the Dallas Cowboys have gone from a Super Bowl hopeful to a team that will struggle to make the playoffs.
Of course, things could always turn around for the Cowboys, but Ezekiel Elliott is serving a suspension, the defense is giving up a ton of points and the offense, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, is sputtering without its star running back.
Dallas has not been good over the past few games and its 5-6 record reflects that fact. The Cowboys have been so bad, in fact, that one former player turned analyst, Reggie Wayne, can't see Dallas making the playoffs.
Here's what Wayne said on 'NFL Total Access' when asked if the Cowboys will make the playoffs:
"Absolutely not. Zero chance. No Ezekiel Elliott. Ezekiel was your offense and your defense. He made Dak Prescott better. He made Dez Bryant better. He kept the defense on the sideline and that's what we kind of all lost in the sideline, exactly how good this defense was — it wasn't very good. But with him on the field, he made the great. Without him in the picture this Dallas Cowboys team struggles."
Wayne does have a point. The Cowboys are now 0-3 without Elliott and this looks like a completely different team from the one that was supposed to be a Super Bowl contender earlier in the season. Dallas' offense has been terrible without Elliott, scoring only 22 points in the past three games. Prescott has been terrible without Elliott, having compared no touchdowns compared to five interceptions in the past three games.
There's a very good chance Elliott was the glue that held this team together, and with him now serving a suspension the Cowboys are falling apart.
With games against the Redskins (5-6), Giants (2-9) and Raiders (5-6) coming up there's still a chance Dallas could turn this season around, but that's still going to be easier said than done without Elliott on the field.
