Dallas Cowboys: The worst case scenario for the team in 2017

After a year with so many positives to take from it, here is what the nightmare of a worst case scenario would look like in 2017 for the Dallas Cowboys

For most fans, last season had appeared to have all the makings of a worst case scenario before it ever really started.

On an August night in Seattle, there was the franchise quarterback laying on the ground in a meaningless game, not getting up. All of a sudden, any hopes for a bounce back year could not have been more delusional.

Little did we know that the next great Dallas Cowboys quarterback was ready to lead this team. Sure, Dak Prescott looked good in the preseason, but it was the preseason. When the first loss came and the offense could not score, hope was fleeting.

Then the run came. One after another after another. All of a sudden, the Cowboys put up ten straight wins and hope sprung eternal. The team ended up tying the franchise record for wins in a regular season. All of this with a rookie quarterback and running back leading the way.

Yes, the playoff exit was yet another heartbreak but this time, things feel different. There is legitimate reason to be hopeful if you’re a Cowboys fan.

The offensive Rookie of the Year. The best offensive line in football. Playmakers all over the field and a young and improving defense.

What could go wrong?

Well, here’s what a worst case scenario would look like for the Dallas Cowboys in 2017.

As a side note, we will not discuss injuries at all. Obviously there are few players, the quarterback especially, that the Cowboys will need to play significant time. In an effort to avoid any type of jinx, I will not even mention them by name.

Besides injury though, the first domino in our worst case scenario starts with the offensive line. With Ronald Leary moving on to the Broncos, the Cowboys will be shuffling the line in 2017. The likely scenario has La’el Collins moving to right tackle after the retirement of Doug Free. What if no one else can step up and replace Collins or Leary’s production inside, however?

For a team that likes to pound the rock in between the tackles, a weak link at guard could be problematic for the offense.

The next part of the Cowboys worst case scenario comes at the receiver position? What if Dez Bryant‘s best days are behind him? Last year, Bryant ended 2016 with seven straight games under 100 receiving yards. While he did have a stunning playoff game, there is concern that multiple injuries have started to rob him of his explosiveness.

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Bryant is the catalyst of the passing game. If he’s getting double teams, it opens up everything for the likes of Cole Beasley and Jason Witten. If there’s no longer a need to double him, however, how would that affect the others?

The last worst case scenario, offensively, comes at quarterback. What if Dak Prescott regresses? The concern is that a full offseason of tape now exists for opposing defenses to study. Can other teams duplicate the success that Giants exhibited again him?

Yes, Ezekiel Elliott had a phenomenal year but it did benefit from Prescott keeping teams honest in the pass game. If Prescott falls back to the pack, that could make live difficult on the running game as well.

Defensively, the worst case scenario would be a slightly worse version of the status quo. The Cowboys have not finished in the top ten in sacks since 2011. They have not accomplished that feat with interceptions since 2014.

With an extremely young secondary, the fear is that they learn the NFL game the hard way. Facing Odell Beckham, Jr., Brandon Marshall, Terrell Pryor and Alshon Jeffrey each two times could make for some long days. Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones and Amari Cooper will all get their shots at the kids as well.

As for the defensive line, it will be yet another year where a major contributor starts the season with a suspension. The Cowboys will be without David Irving for at least two games and possibly four. What if Demarcus Lawrence and Charles Tapper both continue to experience back issues? What if first round pick Taco Charlton struggles and becomes more of an edge setting run defender?

Next: The top 10 Dallas Cowboys to never win a Super Bowl

All of these things could happen and definitely comprise a worst case, indeed. With a first place schedule to navigate, if these were to occur, the Dallas Cowboys would likely miss the playoffs for the sixth time in eight years.

That would absolutely be the Dallas Cowboys worst case scenario.

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Dallas Cowboys: The worst case scenario in 2017

By Tyrone Starr | Jun 27, 2017

After a year with so many positives to take from it, here is what the nightmare of a worst case scenario would look like in 2017 for the Dallas Cowboys

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