FRISCO - Our friend Joe Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News recently asked five “football-related questions’‘ about your Dallas Cowboys ... all about how this 3-5-1 bunch might perform in its last eight games.

Joe’s got his questions ... and his answers. ... and we’ve got ours ... plus two bonus items.

1 - Can Quinnen Williams be the answer?

After the Cowboys acquired Williams from the New York Jets at the trade deadline, Joe asked readers, “Is he is the most talented Cowboys defensive tackle since ... ?

There were over 150 responses. The most common answer was La’Roi Glover, who played for the Cowboys from 2002-05 as a part of a six-time Pro Bowl career.I’ve suggested you might have to go back to Russell Maryland and Tony Casillas from the 90’s Super Bowl teams ... or even to Hall of Famer Randy White a generation before that.

But this much is fact: The Cowboys are ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game.Williams is PFF’s No. 1 rated defensive tackle against the run.It adds up.

It has to work.

2 - What about the reinforcements?

The Cowboys’ mindset is that they’ve added not only Williams and trade-get linebacker Logan Wilson from the Bengals, but that they’re also “adding’‘ post-injury linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. and safety Malik Hooker.

I think we’re asking way too much of Overshown and company to be saviors. So I’m actually encouraged by owner Jerry Jones mentioning the reality of “rust’‘ and snap counts when it comes to Agent Zero.

So I’m dubious about this one.

3 - What kind of identity will they have?

Joe writes, “At the beginning of this season that wouldn’t have been a question. Matt Eberflus had a clear philosophy. They were going to practice his H.I.T.S mentality: hustle, intensity, takeaways, and (playing) smart.’‘

I didn’t buy this at training camp and I obviously don’t buy this now.

“H.I.T.S.’‘ is a bumper-sticker slogan, a T-shirt. It doesn’t mean anything.

“Identity’‘ is a bogus thing. So “hustle, intensity, takeaways, and (playing) smart’‘ is the Cowboys secret? How can it be a secret when every single team in the history of football seeks the same thing?

4 - Can Javonte Williams sustain?

Joe notes that Williams is on pace for 1,352 yards rushing yards. ... oh, and he mentions that Javonte is doing acupuncture at the urging of CeeDee Lamb.

Here’s why I think he will, and why he must: Dallas doesn’t trust any of the other running backs right now ... and yet trusts Javonte enough to have not bothered trading for help there.

So I vote “sustain.''

5 - How will the end of this season dictate the next?

We’ve done the math. The Cowboys will likely have to win at least six of their last eight games to have a chance at the playoffs, and that only gives them nine wins ...

Combine that with tiebreaker problems due to the losses to the Bears and the Panthers and the math doesn’t add up.

This doesn’t feel like a playoff team and it doesn’t project to be one, either. And once we get to December, assuming that becomes clear? We can examine Organic Tanking against the Commanders and the Giants.

And two bonuses questions from me ...

6 - How will the players respond following the death of Marshawn Kneeland?

The mood could be inspirational. Or funereal. I’ve seen both. I’d understand both.

7 - Can Dak Prescott carry one of the NFL’s heaviest loads?

My answer, and it’s not just because he’s the highest-paid player in NFL history at $60 million: He’d better. Because the Cowboys have no other choice.