3 Cowboys players who must start the season strong in Week 1

1. Dak Prescott, QB

Prescott at the top of this list shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. If the Cowboys want to go far into the playoffs and to the Super Bowl, they will need their quarterback not to repeat last year's performance.

Prescott threw for just 2,860 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 2022. His 15 interceptions tied the league lead with Texans quarterback Davis Mills, and his 91.1 quarterback rating was the second-lowest of his career.

It wasn't Prescott's best season by any means. But don't forget how bad his wide receiver core was last season. Outside of Lamb, the Cowboys rolled with Noah Brown as the WR2 to start the year, and Gallup was coming off a brutal ACL injury and was nowhere near100%.

Dallas didn't set up Prescott well in 2022, and that showed. That's why they went out and traded for Cooks this offseason, a veteran with six 1,000-yard seasons over his nine-year NFL career. Gallup should also be a better option in the passing game this year as he regains his confidence.

With a much improved wide receiver core around him and a veteran play-caller in Mike McCarthy, a better season should be in store for the 30-year-old veteran.

Week 1 will be a big test for Prescott entering 2023. He's going up against the Giants, a team he has dominated throughout his career. If the Cowboys quarterback can start the year strong and carry that into Week 2, that will be big for his confidence.

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