Dallas Cowboys potential source of anxiety lies in the trenches

With the Dallas Cowboys’ 2020 campaign starting soon, the season and anxiety loom large

With the Dallas Cowboys opening their 2020 campaign against the Los Angeles Rams in less than four weeks, the season looms large in every fan of America’s Teams mind. Will quarterback Dak Prescott be able to win his second and third career playoff games to put the organization in their first NFC Championship game since 1996? Can head coach Mike McCarthy use his previous coaching success and translate it to “Big D”? What could go wrong?

All these questions and seemingly several hundred more will cross the minds of Cowboys fans before the season starts. So, I wanted to answer the biggest question that looms in my mind while writing this article. What is the one thing that could derail both a talented offense and defense?

The potential source of anxiety lies in the trenches for both sides of the ball

The one thing that could derail the talented Dallas offense outside of the obvious answer of an injury to Dak Prescott, is an injury to left tackle Tyron Smith. The blind side blocker will be entering his 10th season as the protector of America’s Team’s quarterback, looking for his eighth straight trip to the Pro Bowl. Smith has been the only long term staple of the offense, even former tight end Jason Witten left twice.

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So, why would an injury to Smith be so damaging? Well, it starts with a not so recent nightmare of a 2017 Week 10 affair against the Atlanta Falcons. The game is known for the suspension of running back Ezekiel Elliott beginning but it also was an offensive line nightmare. Backup left tackle Chaz Green stepped in for an injured Smith and allowed six sacks to then Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

Ever since that game, there is an anxiety that comes without the potential future Hall of Famer Smith starting at left tackle. There is a calm to that side of the line when he is though. Smith has missed a total of three games each of the past four seasons. If that number gets much higher and Prescott loses comfort in the pocket, the offense could become much more average than special.

As far as the defense is concerned, their ability to create pressure is a much-needed aspect of the potential success of their 2020 defense. Just look at the numbers in the most needed game of last season against the Philadelphia Eagles, Week16. The Cowboys defense recorded only one sack and Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz completed 77.5 percent of his passes.

So, what could derail the defense and cause fans anxiety about the franchise’s chances to make noise into the playoffs? A lack of pass rush, something the team has struggled with for years.

If you are looking for the last time the defense was top-10 in sacks, you have to click several times on the toggle menu, all the way back in 2011. An injury to defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence or newly added defensive end Everson Griffen would hurt the teams chances to sack the quarterback greatly, almost fatally.

To reduce anxiety for Cowboys fans, it’s a simple formula. Stay healthy in the trenches, allowing the skill around the field to be given chances to make plays.