Cowboys focus on big picture, say ‘a win’s a win’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Dallas Cowboys were not going to apologize for their 27-13 win over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.

“A win’s a win, and we’re going to take it and we’re going to get better from the mistakes and make sure that we’re improving,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “But a road win or a short week, you have to take them all. Style points and all that. This is for those who believe games are won on paper. “

On paper, the Cowboys should have won by more against a Titans team that rested a number of key players, including running back Derrick Henry, and had quarterback Josh Dobbs make the first start of his NFL career. Tennessee’s place in the AFC South would not have been affected by a win or loss. The Titans’ season comes down to their Week 18 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The importance of the Cowboys’ Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders will be determined by how the Philadelphia Eagles fare Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. If Philadelphia wins, it will win the NFC East and be the top seed in this conference. If the Eagles lose, the Cowboys will win the division. The Cowboys must beat the Commanders to win it. The Eagles will lose to the Giants in the finales.

“I’m a Saints supporter. Coach Mike McCarthy stated, “Definitely.” He is also a fan. The Cowboys have won eight of their past 10 games, with the only losses coming in overtime to the Green Bay Packers and Jaguars. For the first time since 1994-95, the Cowboys have posted consecutive 12-win seasons. On Thursday, they overcame three first-half turnovers by Prescott, including two interceptions that raised his season total to an NFL-high 14.

Coming off an emotional 40-34 win over the Eagles at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, McCarthy knew this game would be tough, calling this stretch the most difficult of the season. McCarthy stated that he is aware of the injuries and all the other issues. “All the little things. It wasn’t perfect. This was not a clean performance. That is something we recognize. That’s something I don’t dispute. But I do know my football team. They won a hard game on Sunday, but it took them a while to recover. That’s Thursday night football. It’s a difficult challenge. It’s a difficult challenge, but the most important thing was that we answered the bell and got it done. “

The Cowboys were playing their second straight game without starting linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and were working another secondary combination with Nahshon Wright playing more snaps in the nickel defense while also coming up with an interception. On offense, the Cowboys were without leading rusher Tony Pollard, who has a thigh bruise, and lost center Tyler Biadasz in the second half to a high right ankle sprain.

Biadasz’s absence caused three moves on the offensive line, with Connor McGovern moving to center from left guard, Tyler Smith moving to left guard and Jason Peters taking over at left tackle.

“It’s just a testament to how our team fights to make it through this three-game stretch,” defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence said. “The body is on fire, you see? We won the victory tonight, despite all that. “

Now, they have more time to prepare for Washington. However, the exact date has not yet been set. Prescott stated

“Rest. “Obviously, get the rest you need, get your body back under you and then mentally understand what’s coming. You can take a few days off and then come back. We have a long, long road ahead of us and we know that we are capable of finishing this season on the right foot. “