Victories will help Dak Prescott get the last laugh
Critics laughed when Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said this run-first team would be exciting. Winning will help Prescott laugh last.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott recently revealed the 2018 version of America’s Team would be an exciting franchise to watch this upcoming season. Prescott gave an impromptu interview during International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.’s successful title defense against Carlos Ocampo at the Ford Center in Frisco, TX.
Prescott’s choice of words brought great national scrutiny because the 2017 Cowboys were called many adjectives – but exciting wasn’t one of them. With the retirement of legendary former quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys have evolved into a run-first and run-second team.
Many critics feel the Cowboys 9-7 record might have been better with running back Ezekiel Elliott available for the entire season. Statistically, while Elliott was suspended for six games, the Cowboys ended the 2017 season ranked second in rushing yards gained (2,170).
Even using a running back by committee approach, the talented Cowboys offensive line helped the running backs average 4.5 yards per carry and 135.6 yards per game. Those are great numbers without the teams best rusher for six games and a 40 rushing yard performance in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos.
Winning the time of possession battle, controlling the clock and rushing the football doesn’t work when the opponent gets a big lead early in the game. The passing game is the most efficient way to rapidly put points on the scoreboard.
We will see if the Cowboys offense without receiver Dez Bryant and future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten can stop defenses from focusing completely on the Cowboys rushing attack.
In a football city with a history of great Hall of Fame running backs like Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, Cowboy Nation can appreciate a team with a great running game. The running game needs to be paired with a top ranked defense.
That formula has worked recently for teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gets the praise, it’s usually overlooked that the Patriots defense regularly ranks amongst the league best in the fewest points allowed per game category.
When Prescott described the 2018 Cowboys as “exciting”, the football world laughed. If the addition of first round draft pick, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch improves the defense, this formula may lead to victories.
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I’ve reviewed the Cowboys schedule and boldly predicted a 10 win season. Victories are exciting. Winning a sixth Lombardi trophy is exciting. With a few breaks in the Cowboys favor, this team could be remembered as – exciting. It’s possible Prescott might get the last laugh.
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