The Cowboys have more injuries to deal with than at any point this year, several of them to the offensive line and wide receiver.
Still, the Cowboys have Dak Prescott, who is playing as well as any quarterback in the league. And facing a winless Jets team, you have to wonder just what the mindset will be from the Cowboys coming off the first tie in franchise history since 1969.
The staff writers give their predictions for Sunday's game in the Meadowlands.
Patrik Walker: Having played two overtime games in their first four games, the Cowboys look more like a M.A.S.H. unit right now than an NFL roster. So many key players are either already effectively ruled out of the contest with the Jets due to injury or on their way to being told they'll be in a track suit this weekend. Things won't get any easier for a red-hot Dak Prescott, and he'll likely have to carry the team in yet another week but with what they hope will be a better outcome than a loss or a tie. I do believe Javonte Williams can attack the edges and the debut of Jaydon Blue could help stretch the defensive front horizontally to open up lanes in the middle and downfield for Prescott to cook with George Pickens and Jake Ferguson — though Justin Fields is gonna keep things close with his escapability. Prescott avenges his lone loss to the Jets though, and with the same score they handed him in 2019. 24-22, Cowboys win.
Tommy Yarrish: I know the term "trap games" is more often than not used in college football when the big, bad power four team goes on the road against a seemingly inferior opponent, and everyone gets shocked when said inferior opponent has actually just been a few plays away from being good, or hasn't had a chance to show it yet. Sunday feels like that kind of a game for the Cowboys. I don't think Dallas is underestimating the 0-4 Jets, but from the outside it certainly can seem like this should be an easy win, right? I don't think it's as easy as it looks. Jalen Hurts showed you in Week 1 that a mobile, rushing quarterback can win against this defense, and Justin Fields presents the same problem. When Dallas has worked to take away the short game, Russell Wilson comes in and hits them with some shots down the field. Oh, and keep in mind that the Cowboys are banged up a ton going into this game especially on offense and the offensive line. Does Dallas' defense have the horsepower to be able to handle the Jets if a lot of these starters can't go? There are a lot of questions coming into his game, but I still think the Cowboys are the better team and barely escape with a win. Cowboys 27, Jets 24
Nick Eatman: This one is scary. I've said it all week long that I think the Jets have a great chance of winning this game. Everything about the dynamics of the NFL suggests the Jets get their first win of the season. The way the Cowboys played an emotional rollercoaster against the Packers - only to tie - has me wondering just what the mental makeup is going to be for the Cowboys. The similarities are there from the Cowboys winning a close overtime game against the Giants, only to hit the road and lose to a desperate, winless team with a first-year coach. But then again, the Cowboys didn't beat the Packers. Maybe they did treat it like a loss and will be just as motivated this week. Who knows. But with the Cowboys' massive O-line injuries, plus CeeDee, Turpin, Hooker and maybe Miles Sanders all out, it's hard to see a Cowboys' win this week. But ... Dak Prescott is playing lights out and that will be the difference for me. Cowboys win 30-28.
Kyle Youmans: If this was a game played where both teams were at full strength, I believe the Cowboys would win by two or more scores. However, even in Week 5 of the season, that's just not a realistic expectation. The Cowboys could be without four of five starters on the offensive line. They'll be without their top wide receiver again and possibly their All-Pro kick returner. Yet, even with all the injuries, Dallas still has a chance to build on the depth they added this offseason and make a statement against a desperate Jets team. Give me Dallas in a close one, 27-24.
