Miami Gardens, Florida. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and coach Mike McCarthy were powerless on the bench, seeing a lead they worked so hard to build on the road evaporate with 3:27 left to play.
Now, the Cowboys must embrace a storyline they have tried to avoid all season.
“This narrative about us not winning away is strange, but true — unfortunately,” star receiver CeeDee Lamb said after Dallas lost 22-20 to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a game-winning field goal by kicker Jason Sanders.
“I hate losing,” said top defensive end Micah Parsons. I despise this feeling. I know we’re a better squad.
It wasn’t as bad as last week’s 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, Dallas recognizes the missed opportunity they squandered in Miami following their fifth loss of the season, all on the road.
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The Cowboys (10-5) dropped to second in the NFC East, one day before the Philadelphia Eagles visit the New York Giants on Christmas Day.
A opportunity to catch the hot San Francisco 49ers (11-3) in the NFC standings? Probably gone.
The division championship and home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs? It might not happen.
“I think it gives you a good taste where we potentially — we may have to go on the road obviously to get this done,” McCarthy went on to say.
If the Eagles maintain their lead in the NFC East, the Cowboys might face a road playoff game when the postseason begins next month.
Anything can happen in the final two weeks, but the Cowboys are already resigned to the idea.
The Cowboys host the Detroit Lions (11-4) on Saturday night and end the season on the road against the Washington Commanders (4-11). A loss in either game could assure a road playoff game.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have one of the easiest remaining schedules — home against the Arizona Cardinals and on the road against the Giants.
