As the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season continues to spiral out of control, fans and analysts are left wondering: what in the world is going on in Big D? The team, once considered a top Super Bowl contender, now sits at a dismal 3-6 record. But it’s not just their on-field performance that has raised eyebrows – a series of bizarre incidents have plagued the Cowboys, leaving many questioning if the team is cursed.
A Comedy of Errors
From the very start of training camp, it seemed like the Cowboys were destined for a strange season. In late August, a fire broke out in a player’s hotel room, destroying the room and the player’s belongings. Head coach Mike McCarthy tried to downplay the incident, but it set an ominous tone for what was to come.
As the season kicked off, the Cowboys’ misfortunes continued to mount. All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey missed a week of practice before a crucial game against the San Francisco 49ers because he was serving on a jury for a felony case. Aubrey had to practice in near-darkness on the team’s outdoor fields, dodging sprinklers and relying on floodlights to see.
Injuries and Insults
The Cowboys’ on-field woes have been compounded by a string of injuries to key players. Star quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, just months after signing a record-breaking $231 million contract extension. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks developed an infection after receiving a knee injection, sidelining him for weeks.
Off the field, tensions have boiled over. Owner Jerry Jones appeared to threaten the jobs of radio hosts after a particularly embarrassing loss on his 82nd birthday. Cornerback Trevon Diggs confronted a reporter in the locker room over a critical tweet. Running back Ezekiel Elliott was benched for a game due to disciplinary reasons.
“Regardless of what happens the week before, something else can change for the good or the bad. We can’t look at it like everything is falling downhill.”
– Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis
Stadium Woes
Even the Cowboys’ state-of-the-art stadium has been a source of frustration. In a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb lost a potentially game-changing touchdown pass in the blinding sunlight streaming through the stadium’s windows. Jones scoffed at the idea of installing curtains, quipping that they should “just tear the damn stadium down.”
The Cowboys have become the first team in NFL history to trail by at least 20 points in five straight home games. Their once-vaunted offense has struggled mightily, failing to score a touchdown in back-to-back contests at AT&T Stadium.
Glimpses of Hope
Despite the constant barrage of setbacks and distractions, the Cowboys are not giving up on their season. McCarthy insists that the team’s work ethic and preparation have not wavered, even as the losses pile up. Players like Lewis and Lamb have stressed the importance of staying focused on the task at hand, rather than dwelling on past misfortunes.
“There’s opportunities that come in front of you. While you still may have lost some games, it’s not ‘burn the tape.’ It’s ‘watch and learn from it and then move on to the next.'”
– Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson
With eight games remaining, the Cowboys still have a chance (however slim) to turn their season around and make a playoff push. But they will need to overcome not only their on-field deficiencies, but also the bizarre string of incidents that have derailed their campaign thus far.
As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas – including, apparently, the circus surrounding the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. Only time will tell if America’s Team can rise above the chaos and salvage their once-promising season.
