It’s Divisional round or bust for the Dallas Cowboys in 2019
The Dallas Cowboys enter this season with big expectations. Here is why anything less than making it to the divisional playoff round is a failed season.
The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a season that saw them have a moderate amount of success. Although it was only a wildcard game, it saw them win their first playoff game since the 2014 season, before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional matchup.
While winning that game would have resulted in their first NFC Championship berth since 1995 and although it didn’t happen, it was good to see this team succeed when put in a pressure position such as those that the NFL playoffs present. With a playoff win and a divisional round berth under their belts from last season, to not at least make it back to that same game in this upcoming season would be an abject failure. Here is why.
One of the most influential moves of this offseason for the Dallas Cowboys involved bringing one of their own back. Well, not quite back, but it was when they got stud pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence re-signed to ensure that he never had the chance to leave in the first place.
On top of re-signing Lawrence to rush the quarterback, they also brought in another potential stud for this defensive front. For just a sixth-round draft selection, the Dallas Cowboys were able to acquire former first-round pick, Robert Quinn. Quinn brings his 69.0 career sacks, with 6.5 of them coming during last season, to a Dallas Cowboy front that he said he chose over the New Orleans Saints because it allows the defensive line to “attack”.
On top of Robert Quinn, the Dallas Cowboys added a guy who was a stud and still says he has plenty of that left, in former Green Bay Packers star Randall Cobb. Although Cobb wasn’t as effective or simply involved in the Packers’ offense last season as he had been in previous years, he says he can still be that guy, while he should still definitely bring something good to the table for this Cowboys team.
When thinking about some of the players who were already on the roster, a full offseason and a fresh beginning for Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott‘s connection is another reason why anything less than a divisional berth would be a failure. Although they performed admirably together last season, where Cooper arrived midseason via trade, a full season and offseason of work should only make them that much more of a combustible duo.
While we are talking about Prescott, he is on the cusp of what seems like it will be a mega deal for the quarterback. Once Prescott is all locked up for the future by the Dallas Cowboys, it will more than likely be to the tune of at least $30 million annually.
Not that you want a player at any salary to not perform at a winning level, but to see a player and especially your quarterback seemingly regress after signing a huge deal would be a huge knock on Prescott. Although there could be other factors that cause them to not make it as far or further than they did last season, the number one target of the criticism in this event would undoubtedly be the quarterback that just received a massive extension.
Along with everything else that’s been mentioned, the Dallas Cowboys are returning the league’s 8th ranked defense from last season, which should only be improved with another year together. This defense also features the stud linebacking duo of Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, which are a huge part of this potentially elite defense and yet another reason that anything less than a divisional round berth would be a failure.
One of the last main reasons that not making it that far would be a failure is the returning to form of the offensive line. While center Travis Frederick is reportedly nearing his long-awaited return from an illness that cost him all of last season, offensive tackle Tyron Smith is reportedly in great shape and health.
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With the addition of new offensive and defensive weapons, the increase in familiarity and chemistry among these weapons, the monetary rewards, the emergence of the defense last season, and the re-emergence of the offensive line, this team should definitely make it to the divisional round. These are the reasons that to not do so, would be a complete failure for this season’s Dallas Cowboys.