FRISCO, Texas — At the midway point of the PML season, the Dallas Cowboys sit at 5 – 3, boasting one of the league’s most explosive offenses and a defense that thrives on takeaways. But beneath the strong record lies a quarterback storyline and lingering questions about whether Dallas has the balance to make a deep playoff run.
Dak Leads, Milton Emerges
Quarterback Dak Prescott has been the engine of the Cowboys’ offense, putting up 2,398 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions through eight games. He’s averaging a blistering 342.6 yards per game and ranks among the league’s leaders in efficiency with a 115.7 passer rating. Prescott has stretched defenses with deep shots (long of 81 yards) and is playing some of his best football in years.
But rookie Joe Milton III has quietly made his mark. In limited snaps, the rookie has been nearly flawless, completing 83% of his passes for 483 yards, 5 touchdowns, and just 1 interception. His rating of 144.2 is tops on the team, raising questions about whether Dallas will continue to mix both quarterbacks as the season progresses.
Ground Game by Committee
The rushing attack has been led by Javonte Williams, who has pounded out 434 yards and 5 touchdowns on 91 carries (4.8 avg). Rookie Jaydon Blue has brought fresh legs and explosiveness, adding 125 yards and a score on just 27 carries. Together, they’ve helped Dallas maintain balance and set up play-action opportunities for Prescott and Milton.
Pass-Catching Powerhouse
No receiving corps has been more dangerous than Dallas’. CeeDee Lamb is on a tear, hauling in 35 catches for 743 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging nearly 93 yards per game. His chemistry with both quarterbacks has been electric.
Across from him, George Pickens has emerged as a true No. 2, racking up 44 catches for 702 yards and 8 touchdowns. The rookie Blue has chipped in as a dual-threat, adding 390 receiving yards and 5 scores, while tight end Jake Ferguson has been reliable in the red zone with 3 touchdowns on 355 yards.
This depth has made Dallas nearly impossible to defend — with five different players already over 300 receiving yards.
Defense: Feast or Famine
The Cowboys’ defense has lived by the motto: bend but don’t break. Linebacker Damone Clark has been the heartbeat, leading the team with 70 tackles, 9 TFL, and 2 interceptions.
The secondary has been opportunistic, led by Malik Hooker’s 6 interceptions and Kaiir Elam’s 4 picks, while DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs each added 2 apiece. Pressure has come from all over, with Sam Williams (4 sacks), Osa Odighizuwa (2 sacks), and Kenneth Murray Jr. (1 sack, 3 TFL) disrupting opposing quarterbacks.
When the defense forces turnovers, Dallas looks unbeatable. But surrendering chunk plays has been an issue — as highlighted in the Week 7 shootout loss to Washington.
Special Teams Solid
Kicker Brandon Aubrey has been steady, hitting 9-of-10 field goals with a long of 57 yards and a perfect 36-for-36 on extra points. In tight games, his reliability has been crucial.
The Road Ahead
At 5 – 3, the Cowboys are firmly in the hunt for the NFC East crown. Prescott’s production has kept Dallas among the league’s elite, but Milton’s efficiency has sparked debate about whether the rookie deserves a larger role.
With Lamb and Pickens dominating, and a defense capable of flipping games with turnovers, Dallas has the firepower to contend. The question is whether they can avoid the self-inflicted wounds that have cost them in close games.
The Cowboys are contenders — but how far they go may depend on who’s under center when it matters most.
