Editor’s note: This is one of a series of NFL previews by The Dallas Express.Â
Dallas Cowboys
2022 SEASON: 12-5, lost to San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoff Round
The Cowboys were bit by the injury bug early as quarterback Dak Prescott broke his thumb in the season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The offense looked anemic in the opener, but backup Cooper Rush helped keep the team afloat, leading it to a 4-1 record without Prescott.
Prescott returned in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions but was not the same player. He put up the worst numbers of his career and led the league with 15 interceptions thrown.Â
Despite Prescott’s struggles, the Cowboys were one of the better teams in the NFC. Running back Tony Pollard emerged as a legitimate No.1 threat in the backfield, and the defense led the league in turnovers for the second straight season.
Dallas went 6-2 after its bye week in Week 9, losing only to Jacksonville and Washington as it clinched a playoff spot by finishing second in the NFC East — two games behind the eventual NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys won their wild-card playoff game against the Buccaneers, overcoming several missed extra-point attempts, before being eliminated by the San Francisco 49ers for the second consecutive season.
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WHAT’S NEW
There have been a plethora of changes in the Cowboys organization, including the dismissal of several assistant coaches like offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, and offensive line coach Joe Philbin. Analyst Brian Schottenheimer has been promoted to the offensive coordinator role, but head coach Mike McCarthy will be the primary play-caller this season.
Prescott returns healthy, aiming to put last season behind him, and Trey Lance joins the quarterback room alongside Prescott and Rush after a trade with the 49ers. Pollard takes over the top running back spot after being given the franchise tag amid Ezekiel Elliott’s release, and the team traded for Brandin Cooks to strengthen its receiving corps.
The offensive line remains stout, while the tight end group enters with many question marks after Dalton Schultz signed with the Houston Texans.
The Cowboys also added Stephon Gilmore to play corner opposite Trevon Diggs and drafted defensive tackle Mazi Smith to help clean up their run defense. Brandon Aubrey, a former Major League Soccer and USFL player, is the new kicker after winning the job in the preseason.
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2023 SCHEDULE
September 10 (Sun) 7:20 p.m. CT at New York Giants
September 17 (Sun) 3:25 p.m. CT vs New York Jets
September 24 (Sun) 3:25 p.m. CT at Arizona Cardinals
October 01 (Sun)Â 3:25 p.m. CT vs New England Patriots
October 08 (Sun) 7:20 p.m. CT at San Francisco 49ers
October 16 (Mon) 7:15 p.m. CT at Los Angeles Chargers,
October 19-23 (Thurs-Mon) BYE WEEK
October 29 (Sun) noon CT vs Los Angeles Rams
November 5 (Sun) 3:25 p.m. CT at Philaldephia Eagles
November 12 (Sun) 3:25 p.m. CT vs New York Giants
November 19 (Sun) noon CT at Carolina Panthers
November 23 (Thurs/Thanksgiving) 3:30 p.m. CT vs Washington Commanders
November 30 (Thurs) 7:15 p.m. CT vs Seattle Seahawks
December 10 (Sun)Â 7:20 p.m. CT vs Philadelphia Eagles
December 17 (Sun) 3:25 p.m. CT at Buffalo Bills
December 24 (Sun) 3:25 p.m. CT at Miami Dolphins
December 30 (Sat) 7:15 p.m. CT vs Detroit Lions
January 7 (Sun) TBD at Washington Commanders
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PLAYER TO WATCH
RB Tony Pollard
There is plenty to watch with Pollard this season. Not only is it his first time entering the season as the featured back in the NFL, but he is also returning from a broken leg that ended his season in the playoffs. He did not play in the preseason, and fans will be waiting to see how he regains his form and what he does for an encore. Plus, he will be a free agent yet again this offseason.
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ROOKIE TO WATCH
DT Mazi Smith
Dallas brought Smith in for one reason: to clog up the running lanes. The Cowboys allowed nearly 2,200 yards on the ground last season, and the nose tackle excelled at using his size and strength to fill gaps and make plays in college.
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BREAKOUT CANDIDATE
DE Sam Williams
Recent events have put Wiliams in the public spotlight for the wrong reasons, but the team has been adamant that those will not influence his playing time. McCarthy has praised the work Williams has done on the field this offseason. The second-year defensive end came up with four sacks as a rookie after establishing himself as an elite college pass rusher. Will this be the year he emerges in the NFL?
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WHY CAN THEY CONTEND?
Dallas is one of the most balanced teams in the NFL, with an electric offense and an opportunistic defense that is among the league’s best at creating turnovers. The defense may be even more robust now with the additions of Smith along the defensive front and Gilmore opposite Diggs. Plus, the changes on offense with McCarthy calling plays should put Dak Prescott in a better position to manage the turnovers that plagued him last season.
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OBSTACLES
Philadelphia and San Francisco will be the most significant hurdles for the Cowboys, plus they play in a division that sent three teams to the playoffs last season. Coaching, personnel, and scheme changes can amplify difficulties early in the season as the pieces try to make things gel, and Dallas had an abundance of those. Quarterback play is always crucial and was not up to par last season, and the schedule is backloaded with several potential playoff teams having opportunities to derail Dallas’ season.
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2023 Prediction
Record: 11-6, second in NFC East
Result: NFC Divisional Round
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The Philadelphia Eagles claim the top spot in the NFC East until proven otherwise after making it to the Super Bowl last season. However, the Cowboys are clearly the next-best team in the division and may even be the favorite if they played elsewhere in the NFC. Some of the roster is young and inexperienced, but Dallas still has the ammunition to have a good season. Still, the Cowboys have not been able to advance far in the playoffs, and plenty of teams can challenge them in the postseason, especially Philadelphia and San Francisco.
