Dallas Cowboys Predict ‘We’ll Be Ready! for Philadelphia Eagles’ After ‘Catching Our Breath’

The Dallas Cowboys earned some much-needed rest on Sunday of Week 13 in the NFL.

Dallas has played four games in 19 days. Games it has all won, mind you, but the physical toll of an NFL season is enough by itself without short turnarounds.

The Cowboys’ latest venture—a 41-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football”—is evidence of just how grueling this stretch has been. Dallas is known for its stout defense this season, but surrendering 35 points to a previously struggling Seahawks offense can be head-scratching unless you take it in context.

Head coach Mike McCarthy believes as much. He noticed a difference in his team this week during practice, and after an emotional win on national television, he’s giving his team a few days to recuperate.

“Yeah, they’re tired,” McCarthy said postgame on Thursday. “You could see it during the week. I mean, it took them a while to get back. So, they’ll be off for the weekend. We’ll get back together on Monday. We’ll do some things Monday morning and then we’ll go into a normal seven-day week.”

It’s a good place to be in Dallas. The Cowboys have the luxury of being able to “take a breather” because of their standing in the current NFC playoff picture. The goal is still to catch the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, sure, but a 9-3 record is nothing to scoff at.

Of course, next on the schedule is the biggest game of the regular season for Dallas. If it hopes to catch the Eagles, it will need to win the rivalry rematch next week on “Sunday Night Football.”