The playoff picture is starting to become clearer around the NFL as the second half is officially upon us. For the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵÏÂÔØÈë¿Ú (3-5-1) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-7), the early expectations from the start of the season have not been met, but there are still opportunities for momentum ahead. Both teams have seen their fair share of breakout performances and monumental let downs through a rollercoaster of a season so far.
The elder statesman of NFL head coaches, 74-year-old Pete Carroll prepares to face his longtime friend and first-year head coach Brian Schottenhemer on Monday Night Football. All with momentum and a much-needed confidence boost on the line. Here are 10 more notable 'big facts' to remember ahead of Monday's 7:15pm CT kickoff on ESPN and ABC.
Bright Lights of Monday Night (Again)
This week marks only the fifth time in NFL history that a team will play back-to-back games on Monday Night Football, and only the second time it was a scheduled occurrence. The only other scheduled back-to-back was the Raiders in 1996, also with a bye week scheduled in-between. The Chiefs in 2020, the Jets in 2014, and Vikings in 2010 were all re-scheduled events due to delayed circumstances.
Dak's Dominance of Monday Night
Despite the loss to Arizona in Week 9, Dak Prescott hold a 5-2 career record in his Monday Night Football starts. His 113.0 passer rating in Monday Night games ranks second among the quarterbacks with at least five starts since he entered the league in 2016, trailing only Lamar Jackson. Prescott has tallied 236.4 yards per game, with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions in Monday Night performances.
Prescott's Premiere Percentage
Another week, another Dak Prescott streak is in the works. Prescott has completed at least 60 percent of his passes in all nine games this season, the second-longest streak to begin a season in Cowboys history. Only Tony Romo achieved a longer stretch, when he rattled off 15-straight to start the season in 2014.
Batman and Robin
CeeDee Lamb (81.8) and George Pickens (84.9) are two of the seven players in the NFL currently averaging over 80 receiving yards per game this season. They would be the first duo in the last five seasons and the first in Cowboys history to finish with a receiving yards per game average that high.
Mario and Luigi
If the Cowboys record does not improve, Lamb and Pickens could become just the fourth duo to ever average over 80 receiving yards per game for a team that finishes with a record below .500. This would join Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley with Atlanta in 2020, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. with Tampa Bay in 2019, along with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin with Arizona in 2005.
Mentor vs. Mentee
For the first time as head coaches, Brian Schottenheimer will his long-time coaching mentor Pete Carroll. Schottenheimer coached underneath Carroll both at USC (tight ends coach) and with the Seattle Seahawks (offensive coordinator). This will be Carroll's second meeting with a Schottenheimer, as he played against Brian's father Marty in 1998. Carroll's Patriots defeated Schottenheimer's Chiefs 40-10 in Week 6 at Foxboro Stadium.
3rd Down and Manageable
Through the first nine games of the season, the Cowboys defense has allowed a 52.6 conversion rate on third down. That would be the highest allowed by any team in a single season since the 1991 season. They rank dead last in the league in that category, before adding Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson in the trade deadline this past week.
Welcoming Williams
Speaking of Quinnen Williams, he has 34.5 run stuffs since entering the NFL in 2019. This is tied for Grover Stewart for the second-most by a defensive tackle over that time span. The only player with more? Arron Donald with 37.5.
Two-Week Drop Off
Dallas' once elite production on offense has tapered off the last two games. After averaging 31.7 points per game with 390.6 yards per game over the first seven weeks of the year, the Cowboys totals have dropped to 20.5 points and 336.0 yards over the last two. Dallas has also had two or more giveaways in their last two games, after not committing a turnover in the four games prior.
Rocky Road
The Cowboys currently hold the third-worst road record in the NFL this season at 1-4. Only the New York Giants (0-6) and the Cleveland Browns (0-5) have a worse mark away from home. Their only road win of the season took place in Week 5 against the now 2-7 New York Jets. A contributing factor to the road struggles has been the turnovers, as Dallas is -4 in the turnover margin on the road, compared to an even margin at home.
