When the Cowboys were 2-3 and looking sloppy, Jerry Jones declared his team ready to win a championship this year.
Now that they’re heading into a game with the defending champions, after losing linebacker Sean Lee for the season and running back DeMarco Murray still on the shelf, Jones sounded a bit more reserved.
“Against this team, by many and arguably the best team in the NFL, we wanted all hands on deck,” Jones said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It is disappointing not to have two players of that caliber. I’ve said all along I think this team has an opportunity to be a contender but the one exception that I made was, . . . sitting as we’re sitting right now health wise, injury can make a difference and does in the NFL.
“It’s been my experience when you do have a situation like this, others will step up. Others on the field at different positions will compensate.”
The Cowboys are still talented enough to contend, but after losing Lee for the season, Jones doesn’t have quite the same bluster, and rightfully so.