ARLINGTON, Texas _ Confidence is good when it's based on demonstrated ability.
But what happens when arrogance and cockiness puts you in the state of denial about real issues?
That gets you beat.
More important for the Dallas Cowboys, following Sunday's 35-30 loss to the surprising Los Angeles Rams, it has them at a crossroads heading into an uncertain part of the season.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott might have played his last game for a while. On Monday, the 5th Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals could overturn the temporary injunction that has allowed him to play, forcing him to begin a six-game suspension immediately.
The uncertainty is the reason the Cowboys needed to win as many games as possible with Elliott on the field.
They are 2-2 and it has a lot of do with arrogance and a denial of issues that have plagued this team since the start of the season.
Don't let the 30 points on offense fool you or the obvious problems on a defense minus linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) against a Rams team that is the league's new rising star with a 3-1 mark.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley are the Elliott and Dak Prescott of this season.
Gurley exploited the Cowboys linebackers all day, rushing for 121 yards and recording seven catches for 94 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown.
Goff was 21 of 36 for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
A Cowboys offense that is the key to any hopes of success is sputtering. There is something wrong with what was the league's top-ranked running game.
Elliott had 56 yards rushing in the first half, but finished the game with 85 yards in 21 carries.
Prescott finished 20 of 35 with 252 yards and three touchdowns, but this was after a near perfect first half with 11 of 15 passing for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cowboys led 24-13 late in the first half.
The Rams went on a 16-0 run to take a lead they would never relinquish.
And while receiver Dez Bryant had five catches for 98 yards in what was his best outing of the season, something was still off on the Prescott-Bryant connection. It too has been a problem all season.
There was so much more that could have been done against the Rams, but yet a drop by Bryant and misfires by Prescott is all that will be remembered.
The Cowboys consistently said that things were fine and the issues were being handled.
Well, things are no longer fine.
The team faces the rested Green Bay Packers next Sunday following a 10-day layoff.
And Elliott might not be there to help.
