Dallas Cowboys could benefit from Giants defensive woes

Setbacks in a rebuilding division could help propel the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs in 2020

Last season, the Dallas Cowboys benefited from playing in the NFC East. Their record against their divisional foes was an impressive 5-1. Unfortunately, the Cowboys went a disappointing 3-7 against their other opponents in 2019.

There’s little doubt that Dallas plays in one of the weakest divisions in the NFL. And while things can change quickly, the fact both the Washington Football Team and the New York Giants are seemingly in rebuilding mode should help America’s Team in their quest for a playoff run in 2020.

Washington, New York, and Dallas installed new head coaches this offseason. The Giants hired former special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach for the New England Patriots, Joe Judge. The G-Men also brought on former Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett as their offensive coordinator.

The Washington Football Team hired longtime Carolina Panthers’ head coach Ron Rivera. Sadly, Rivera recently revealed he’s been diagnosed with squamous cell cancer and will attempt to coach through his treatments.

The Cowboys’ new head coach is Mike McCarthy, the longtime Green Bay Packers coach and former Super Bowl winner. All three have faced some unusual obstacles with their new teams following a stunted offseason due to a worldwide pandemic.

But one advantage New York (4-12) and Washington (3-13) had this year was during the 2020 NFL Draft. Both Washington and the Giants picked in the top five of the annual selection event, owning the second and fourth overall picks respectively. Washington selected Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young while the Giants drafted Andrew Thomas, an offensive tackle out of Georgia.

The Dallas Cowboys offense vs. the Giants’ defensive woes

Picking near the top of every round in this year’s draft figured to help both struggling NFC East teams make a quick turnaround. But according to NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal, the Giants have experienced some unfortunate injuries that could once again land them in the basement of the division.

"“On paper, New York’s defense is one of the most talent-poor groups in football. Again. On the field, the team lost two defensive starters (linebacker David Mayo and rookie safety Xavier McKinney) last week. Monday’s signing of Logan Ryan was a necessary move, but this remains a team you want your fantasy starters to go against.”"

The Dallas Cowboys fielded the NFL’s top offense last year when it came total yardage, with both their passing attack and running game ranking in the top five. That should bode well for the Cowboys when they face the Giants in Weeks 5 and 17 of the upcoming season.