Despite showing a very high level of play in several games this season, it ultimately was not enough for the Dallas Cowboys. Poor defensive performances were the main reason why Jerry Jones’ team missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Even so, the future does not look entirely bleak, and the team led by Brian Schottenheimer could be competitive in 2026.
Dallas’ elimination was not a surprise. From the start of the season, it was expected that the NFC East would be contested by the defending conference champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Commanders. In the end, the Eagles were crowned division champions for the second straight year. Washington was largely a disappointment, yet even so, Dallas still fell short.
The Cowboys’ biggest issue was their defense, and the warning signs were evident even before the season began. Just one week prior to the start of the campaign, Dallas traded away their best defensive player, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers. While there was some defensive improvement midway through the season, the unit collapsed again in the final three games against the Lions, Vikings, and Chargers.
Quinnen Williams could return for the christmas game
After all the defensive struggles, Jerry Jones was forced to take action. Before the 2025 NFL trade deadline, the Cowboys completed a trade with the New York Jets to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who made an immediate impact.
With Williams on the roster, the Cowboys’ defense improved and the team won three straight games, reviving playoff hopes. However, those hopes quickly faded after three consecutive losses. In Week 15 against the Vikings, Williams suffered a concussion, which was compounded by a lingering neck injury. As a result, he missed the game against the Chargers and has been unable to fully participate in practice.
Nevertheless, there is still a chance Williams could play on Christmas Day against the Washington Commanders. This is what he had to say about his recovery: “I feel very good. I’m just working, progressing, doing the things I need to do to be as healthy as I can be,” Williams said via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “Just doing everything I can to get cleared so I can go out there, dominate, and play alongside the team.”
It is also worth noting that Quinnen Williams was selected to the Pro Bowl. However, he made it clear that his ultimate goal is to reach the playoffs with the Dallas Cowboys-something that will now have to wait until 2026. Since last Saturday, following the Eagles’ victory over the Commanders, Dallas has officially been eliminated from playoff contention.
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