Williams Rejects the Fatigue Narrative
Quinnen Williams is ready to play even though the team just played Sunday. Most players would be exhausted after a quick turnaround, but the Cowboys defensive tackle sees things differently. He told the Dallas Cowboys official site that he feels fine and is eager to go. “I’m not tired,” Williams said. I love football, and I look forward more to the chance and opportunity of playing again.
The schedule is brutal for everyone else. Thursday night marks the third game the Cowboys have played in just 11 days. The first of those games was a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which added 10 hours of travel time. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer admitted the whole squad is “tired” and “sore” heading into this short week. Williams disagrees with his boss on this specific point. He says he enjoys the challenge and has done this before. “I’ve done this before,” Williams noted. “At the Jets, we had three games in 10 days.”
The offense has a different story to tell as they prepare for the Buccaneers. Dak Prescott has no regrets about calling the unit the Greatest Offense There Is. The team is 2-2, but the quarterback believes they are living up to the hype and can still get better. “Do I think what we’ve done, is it enough? Absolutely not,” Prescott said. “Do I still believe that that’s who we are, and that’s who we’re gonna be? Damn right.”
The numbers back up his bold claim. The Cowboys rank second in scoring at 30.5 points per game. Even more impressive is their efficiency per drive. They average 3.39 points per drive, which ranks No. 1 in the entire NFL. This stat matters because they have had the fewest drives of any team. They are putting up big numbers with fewer chances than anyone else.
Prescott knows the opponent is desperate. The Buccaneers are 0-4 and coming into Dallas. “You turn the page, and you’re on to the Bucs,” Prescott said. The team hopes guard Tyler Smith returns from a thumb injury to help the run game. If the offense clicks again like they did against Houston, this short week won’t matter.
The Stakes for Thursday Night
This game is a test of depth and mental toughness for the entire roster. The Cowboys have played three games in 11 days, which is rare for most teams. Williams says he is used to it and finds it fun.
Dak Prescott has a strong record on Thursday nights. He is 13-7 in his career in these games. The team needs to protect that legacy against a winless opponent. “Nobody cares about the win that happened last Sunday,” Prescott said. “It’s about what we do now.” The Cowboys must prove they are still the best offense in the league.
