At 3-1, the Cowboys are currently one game behind the division leading Philadelphia Eagles; however, the Cowboys are about to enter the lions den of their schedule.
Upcoming opponents are: CIN, @GB, Bye, PHI
These next three games could be the moment this team really begins takes some control of their playoff aspirations.
Yes, Cincinatti and Green Bay look to be tough games, but the way the Cowboys are playing right now on both sides of the ball history could be on their side an provide you with some extra confidence.
I took a look at the current Aikman Efficiency Ratings and compared them to the 2014 AER and they are very similar.
Check it out —
Aikman Combined Ratings 2016 Through Week 4
——— Aikman ——– ——- NFL ——–
Rank Record Team Combined Off Def Off Def Combined
1 3-0 Eagles 184.4 91.8 92.6 13 3 16
2 3-1 Cowboys 164.8 97.1 67.7 2 18 20
— Aikman Offense Ratings Through Week 4, 2016
Aik NFL Team AER
1 1 Falcons 100.7
2 3 Raiders 99.4
3 2 Cowboys 97.1
— Aikman Defense Ratings Through Week 4, 2016
Aik NFL Team AER
1 3 Eagles 92.6
2 2 Seahawks 83.2
3 7 Vikings 79.8
4 17 Bills 78.8
5 20 Chiefs 76.1
6 13 Packers 74.1
7 5 Texans 74.0
8 8 Cardinals 73.8
9 4 Broncos 73.0
10 1 Ravens 72.1
11 27 Steelers 72.1
12 14 Titans 71.6
13 9 Bengals 71.2
14 23 Rams 70.1
15 12 Panthers 70.0
16 28 Dolphins 69.2
17 16 Jets 68.9
18 18 Cowboys 67.7
So, now if you look at how the Cowboys finished 2014, you’ll understand why there should be some excitement on the trajectory of this team. Here are the final AER ratings for 2014 —
Final Combined Efficiency Ratings 2014, Final
——— Aikman ——– ——- NFL ——–
Rank Record Team Combined Off Def Off Def Combined
1 12-4 Broncos 164.5 91.2 73.3 4 3 7
2 12-4 Seahawks 163.2 87.6 75.5 9 1 10
3 12-4 Packers 162.3 92.1 70.2 6 15 21
4 12-4 Patriots 161.7 89.8 71.9 11 13 24
5 12-4 Cowboys 160.5 90.9 69.6 7 19 26
— Aikman Offense Ratings 2014, Final
Aik NFL Team AER
1 6 Packers 92.1
2 4 Broncos 91.2
3 7 Cowboys 90.9
— Aikman Defense Ratings 2014, Final
Aik NFL Team AER
1 16 Texans 77.8
2 2 Lions 77.6
3 4 Bills 76.9
4 1 Seahawks 75.5
5 8 Ravens 75.2
6 17 Rams 74.5
7 24 Cardinals 74.3
8 7 Chiefs 73.3
9 3 Broncos 73.3
10 22 Bengals 72.4
11 23 Browns 72.2
12 13 Patriots 71.9
13 5 49ers 71.1
14 15 Packers 70.2
15 19 Cowboys 69.6
As you can see we’re on pace to having similar numbers if not better and what is amazing is that this is being done with Dak Prescott, along with fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott.
Defensively, 2014 was the year the defense held their own, so long as the offense was able to control the clock and score points. The downside to that is that we are still ailing at getting to the QB, just as we did in 2014. That was the year we could not get pressure on a one-legged Aaron Rodgers.
If the offense is humming with Dak Prescott, should the Cowboys mess with the chemistry and put in a rusty Tony Romo after the bye-week? He hasn’t played a regular season game since last November. This will be the question and looming QB controversy if Prescott has the Cowboys at 5-1 at the Bye.
Obviously, we still have a lot of football to go, but the Aikman Efficiency Ratings don’t lie. There is something to this 2016 squad, so let’s see where we end up.
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