When the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams opened the season in a primetime Sunday Night Football telecast, many thought we were treated to a contest between two of the best teams in the National Football League.

When that game was decided late and the Rams won a competitive contest, 20-17, there was little reason to doubt we had witnessed a game between two of the best.

But now, five weeks into the regular season, we have some empirical evidence that indicates we may not have been watching two of the best in the opener, and no better than one good team and one average team with the possibility, wait for it, that the Cowboys are bad.

They weren’t supposed to be.

Mike McCarthy, who joined Jerry Jones’ merry band of warriors this season as head coach, replacing hometown favorite Jason Garrett, was supposed to be the final cog in a championship season. On paper, the Cowboys had three skill position players in Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott who some thought could rival the Dallas glory days when the running back, wide receiver and quarterback positions were manned by Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman.

Not close, or at least not yet this season.

While the offense is still capable of putting up points, they can’t compete with a defense that appears dazed and confused. Since limiting the Rams to 20 points in their opening loss, the Cowboys have given up 39, 38 and 49 points against the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns.

Makes you consider two things, first, maybe the Rams offense isn’t that good, and second, Kathy Nolan, wife of Dallas Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan, should cancel an appointment with the interior decorator for their new home in Texas.

Today, the Cowboys are at home for a second straight Sunday, and after getting scorched by the Cleveland Browns last week, who compiled a record 307 yards on the ground and 49 points on the scoreboard, they host the winless New York Giants.

Whew, at least they get to take out their frustration on a bad team.

Not so fast, Maxwell. In truth, few things are worse motivationally than playing bad and then expected to win based on a “weak” opponent. And few things are better for an anemic offense, like the Giants have been, than to go up against a struggling stop unit.

The Cowboys think this one is going to be easy, but Dallas wins this year are likely never to be easy and today even unlikely.

Qoxhi Picks: New York Giants (+8) over Dallas Cowboys