For those gloom and doomers out there, the Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes are still pretty solid.
Even after a 23-0 loss to Indianapolis Sunday afternoon, the Cowboys have their playoff hopes squarely in front of them.
A victory either Sunday against Tampa Bay or the at the New York Giants on Dec. 30 will return the Cowboys to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Still, quarterback Dak Prescott didn’t mince words about Sunday’s humiliating loss to the Colts.
Dak Prescott: Sunday's loss is a wake-up call – NBC Sports #CowboysNation #ForeverCowboys https://t.co/fguk0Ix5Lc
— jose santillan (@santillanjyj) December 17, 2018
It went downhill for the Cowboys after their opening possession. Dallas marched 45 yards and picked up three first downs before stalling out on its 10th play. And when kicker Bruce Maher’s 48-yard attempt was blocked by Denico Autry.
Indianapolis scored on the ensuing possession and the rout was on in Dallas’ first shutout since a 12-0 loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 16, 2003. That game was so long ago that Quincy Carter was Dallas’ starting quarterback in Bill Parcells’ first season as the Cowboys’ coach.
Prescott called the loss a “wake-up call” when talking to reporters after the game.
“We just hurt ourselves from the beginning,” Prescott said. “We never really gave ourselves a chance.”
The Cowboys’ five-game winning streak was dead. But a victory in either of the two remaining games still will get them to the playoffs, which was little more than a pipe dream after the Cowboys started the season 3-5.
