Here’s why the Dallas Cowboys are playoff bound in 2018
The Dallas Cowboys only need to be one game better than they were in 2017 to be in position for a playoff spot. I believe they will be. Here’s why …
It has truly been the tale of two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys as it pertains to 2016 and 2017. The former being a season in which everything went right in Big D. A first-year quarterback in Dak Prescott won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. A rookie running back in Ezekiel Elliott won the rushing title. And the team itself stayed relatively healthy (other than the injury that led to that Prescott starting), finishing with an impressive 13-3 season-ending record.
Last season epitomizes Murphy’s Law. Elliott faced legal struggles and eventually missed six games due to a suspension. The best left tackle in football, Tyron Smith, struggled with injuries. Ditto for Pro Bowl linebacker and defensive leader Sean Lee. The result? A relative down year by Prescott and the team fell one game short of a playoff berth.
This year’s Cowboys will be closer to that 2016 team than last year’s squad. And as such will find themselves contending for one of the NFC’s six playoff spots.
What’s changed?
Cowboys’ all-time leading receiver at tight end Jason Witten (retirement) and all-time leading touchdown receiver Dez Bryant (cut) are gone. Replacing them is former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns, former Los Angeles Rams wideout Tavon Austin, and rookies Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz.
Offensive line depth was addressed over the offseason with the additions of tackle Cameron Fleming and rookie guard Connor Williams.
This new look offense has lost some production but added some much-needed speed at the receiver position. Prescott has greater input and command of the offense in his third season and should bounce back behind what is still likely the best offensive line in the league.
The biggest boost to this offense is Ezekiel Elliott, who is healthy and not facing suspension. Zeke is a strong candidate to gain 2,000 rushing yards this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the young cornerbacks have gotten another year older and seem to be taking the next step in training camp. Rookie Leighton Vander Esch has unbelievable potential and can play all three linebacker spots. Third-year linebacker Jaylon Smith is another year removed from that devastating knee injury he suffered in college.
Troubled pass rusher Randy Gregory is back with the team after serving a year-long ban for substance abuse. He’ll be added to what I think can be a top five defensive line group. New defensive backs/passing game coordinator Kris Richard pairs with longtime defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli to produce a defense that has flown to the ball in the preseason.
Bottom Line
The media has been down on the Cowboys and their quarterback over the last month or so, but unjustly. Even when everything went wrong last season, the ‘Boys were in the playoff hunt late and still finished 9-7.
Prescott, the much-criticized second-year quarterback, still managed to finished with the fourth highest ESPN total QBR. Dak also navigated the media storm of the Elliott legal battle with the same poise and class that he displays on the field.
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Assuming good health, the Dallas Cowboys only need to be one game better than last season to be in position for a playoff spot. And that’s exactly where I expect them to be in 2018.