First it was the novelty of 'September Football,' then it was the innovation of 'October Football,' but now as the calendar turns to November, things can get wild in the NFL.
The Dallas Cowboys (3-4) enter the month that holds a tough stretch ahead, starting with the NFC South leading Atlanta Falcons (5-3). The last two times Dallas has faced Atlanta, they have scored at least 40 points, and would give anything to sniff that sort of production from a struggling offense in 2024.
Here are 10 more notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Sunday's Noon CT kickoff on FOX.
Here are 10 more notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Sunday's Noon CT kickoff on FOX.
Head Below Water
The Cowboys (3-4) are under .500 through seven games for the first time since 2020. 2020 just happens to be the last season Cowboys missed playoffs. Dak Prescott was injured Week 5, and the team finished 6-10. The last time Dallas was below .500 through seven games with a healthy quarterback was 2018, when the team was 3-4 and then 3-5 before winning seven of their last eight games.
Turning it Over
The Cowboys have a -8 turnover margin in 2024, which enters Week 9 as the third-worst in football. This comes on the heels of nine total interceptions thrown and four fumbles lost. Along with only four interceptions gained and one fumble recovered. Dallas has a -7 turnover margin since facing Detroit in Week 6.
Zeke's Touchdown Milestone
Ezekiel Elliott scored his 70th touchdown as a member of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He becomes the third running back to score 70 times with the Cowboys alongside the Hall of Fame duo of Emmitt Smith (153) and Tony Dorsett (72).
Dak Seeing Double
Dak Prescott has two interceptions in his last three starts after throwing two picks against San Francisco. This marks the first time in his career that he's thrown two interceptions over three consecutive games, and he leads the NFL with four such games in 2024. He has notched a passer rating over 100 in just one of his seven starts this season.
Halftime Heroes?
The Cowboys have led at halftime in all four road games this year. Despite leading last week in San Francisco (10-6), they were outscored 21-0 by the 49ers in the third quarter. This year, the Cowboys have been outscored 61-19 in the third quarter.
Lamb Still Showing Efficiency
CeeDee Lamb leads the entire NFL in yards per touch this season with 12.3. He's averaging 13.6 yards per catch this year but also has a 4.6-yard average in the eight rushing attempts he has this year.
Grounded
Most NFL teams categorize an "explosive" running play as 10 yards or more. If that's the case, there hasn't been much explosion for the Cowboys, as they have just 10 rushing plays this year that have gone over 10 yards, and nothing longer than 13. On the other side, teams have rushed for 10-yard runs or more 31 times.
10-points Too Tough
Since Mike McCarthy took over as head coach in 2020, the Cowboys only have four comeback wins when trailing in a game by 10-points or more. And only one of those has come since 2021 (2022, Week 16 vs. PHI). Dallas is one of three teams with one or fewer such comeback since 2021, including the Carolina Panthers (0) and New England Patriots (1). Dallas holds a 4-25 overall record in those games under McCarthy.
Containing Cousins
In the last 10 years, no player has fumbled away the ball more than Kirk Cousins. Since 2015, Cousins has fumbled 91 times, the second-most is 77 (Russell Wilson, Derek Carr). And it hasn't changed this year as Cousins is tied for the most fumbles this year with six.
The Guantlet Ahead
Each of the next four games for Dallas include teams that are either in first place or second place in their division, including three of the possible eight division leaders. Atlanta (5-3), Houston (6-2), and Washington (6-2) all lead their divisons entering the month. While Philadelphia (5-2) is not far off, only a half game back of Washington in the NFC East. The next four teams have a combined record of 22-9. So far, Dallas is 1-3 against teams either first or second in their divisions with a win over Pittsburgh and losses against Detroit, Baltimore, and San Francisco.
