Grading the Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones Reflects on Bye Week

The Dallas Cowboys have had a wild ride of a six-game stretch to start the season. At the bye week, how does owner Jerry Jones feel about America's Team?

Week 7 has been an appropriate time for the Dallas Cowboys to ride into the bye week. Stunting the momentum that comes with a 20-17 Monday Night Football victory is the price to pay for a week off. This team is seriously flawed and has some critical adjustments to make, especially on offense.

Still, at 4-2, there’s reason to feel optimistic about the state of affairs in Dallas. The defense has remained exceptional, despite continuous injuries to key contributors. Young players like cornerback DaRon Bland and Osa Odighizuwa have blossomed into stars.

As a unit, they rebounded after an utterly embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers and have gotten themselves back on track. That has left a good portion of the fanbase satisfied, or at least complacent. But what about the man upstairs (in a suite at Jerry World)?

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and edge rusher Micah Parsons / ClutchPoints

Owner Jerry Jones spoke on 105.3 The Fan on Friday, reflecting on his Cowboys’ performance at the bye week.

“I’d give it a good grade,” Jones said. “A really good grade.”

Real specific.

It’s fair to feel good about Dallas—quarterback Dak Prescott is still legitimate, there’s potential to tap into with receiver CeeDee Lamb, and the offensive line looks pretty good.

However, the schedule is not friendly, especially without the relief of a late-season bye week. Besides facing the rival Philadelphia Eagles twice (must-win games if the NFC East is going to be considered winnable), the Cowboys are yet to play contenders like the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions.

The offensive design is still hazardous. They are relying on receiver Michael Gallup to win balls he no longer seems capable of winning and have struggled to operate once the quick game stagnated.

Even so, Jones has trust in his coaching staff to make the necessary shifts.

“I wouldn’t want to start over again this year,” he said. “I like where we are at 4-2.”

Dallas will have extra time to prepare for a team that is also competing for a wild card spot in the NFC circuit: the Los Angeles Rams.

Continuing to leave the loss at San Francisco in the rearview mirror and building a functioning offense - rather than relying on superhuman performances from Prescott, as they did on Monday - will be key in keeping Jones happy.