Dallas Cowboys football is back this weekend. And yes, this time for real.
The team will travel to face the Cleveland Browns this Sunday and what better way to celebrate it than 10 predictions surrounding the team and some of its main characters, including a contract year defensive lineman that could be very financially motivated.
Let's dive in!
1. Cowboys lead a top 5 offense again
In just about every category you choose from, the Cowboys were a Top 5 offense in 2023, including points per game, yards per game, EPA/play, success rate, third down efficiency.
Although the running back room is still a question mark and there were changes made to the offensive line, the Cowboys still have their core consisting of Dak Prescott (who has yet to be extended) , CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and Brandin Cooks. This unit should be fine as long as head coach Mike McCarthy doesn't turn down the early down aggressiveness and allows Prescott to cook since early int he season.
2. Micah Parsons finally reaches 15 sacks
Although Parsons is off to a historic start in his career, he still hasn't reached 15 sacks. Reggie White, who constantly comes up when discussing Parsons as they're the only two players to ever start their careers with three 13-sack seasons, already had a couple of 18+ sack years three years into his career. It's Parsons' turn.
With Mike Zimmer planning on moving him around, it might seem like Parsons will get fewer chances to get to the quarterback. However, I expect the Cowboys' superstar to remain mostly a pass rusher. Perhaps Zimmer's blitzes will get him to the QB more often.
3. Rico Dowdle emerges as RB1
Sure, the Cowboys have household NFL names in Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. But their best at RB has to be Rico Dowdle, who was much more efficient than the well-known veterans in 2023. Dowdle also knows what Mike McCarthy wants to do as far as pass pro goes.
McCarthy has preached his desire to run a committee of backs in 2024 but someone has to lead it. Dowdle is the best man for the job and Dalvin Cook's words on the young back show exactly why:
"Rico," Cook replied when asked which running back had stood out to him. "I feel like you know he's one of those underrated players that kind of do the dirty work, knows the playbook inside out, he's helping me with the playbook right now. So he's just one of those players that don't get enough recognition but he puts his head down and just work."
4. Jake Ferguson hits 1,000 receiving yards
This is a bold one but hear me out. Ferguson is clearly on the rise. He's got the demeanor of a game-changer and a unique knack for yards after the catch, which he can get by lowering his shoulders or by leaping over defenders. After a season of proving it as a full-time starter, it's time for the Cowboys to give him Target No. 2 treatment behind CeeDee Lamb.
Look for Ferguson to receive increased usage as Prescott keeps showing off his unique knack for throws over the seams. I'm calling for a 1,000-yard season for Jake, something only George Kittle achieved in 2023.
5. CeeDee Lamb earns back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors
The top wide receiver debate is one of the most volatile you can find in the NFL. After all, it's a position that heavily relies on opportunity given by the scheme and of course, the man throwing the football. But 2023 was evidence of Dak Prescott and Lamb emerging as one of the most consistent QB-WR duos in the league. Even though Lamb wasn't around for training camp, these two will cash in on the hard work they've put together since last year.
Lamb is one of the best route runners in the league and with added weight, he'll just become more physical in the passing game. All-Pro season número dos loading.
6. Offensive line continuity reaches new heights
I strongly disagreed with the Cowboys' decision to move on from Tyron Smith but I've got to give it to them: It sure is easier to be bullish on the team's potential for continuity upfront. After all, the future Hall of Famer was injury prone. With Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Zack Martin, and Terence Steele forming the offensive line, it's easier to envision the unit piling up combined snaps together.
McCarthy loves to talk about how much that can determine a team's success so the Cowboys should be happy about it.
7. Osa Odighizuwa goes off on a contract year
Don't look now but the defensive tackle market exploded this offseason and with Odighizuwa approaching free agency in 2025 under the shadow of potential contract extensions for Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons, he might be playing his final year in Dallas.
Osa has looked great for stretches in his still-young NFL career and the financial motivation might be too great for him not to take it to another level. He's a very good three-technique that can pile up bigger sack numbers if Mike Zimmer gives him favorable looks with the double A-gap pressure looks he loves to use. I'm expecting a big year from Osa.
8. Mike Zimmer leads a top 10 blitzing defense
Speaking of Zimmer's love for double A-gap blitzes, I think we might see a world where the Cowboys become one of the league's most aggressive defenses for a number of reasons. First of all, Zimmer will move Micah around, which will provide unique opportunities to have him rush over the middle of the offensive line to generate mismatches. Additionally, the coaching staff clearly loves its linebackers' versatility with second-level defenders capable of blitzing efficiently.
Add to that question marks on the defensive end depth chart behind Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence and this team might have to rely on blitzing throughout the year.
9. DeMarvion Overshown leaves coaches no choice
Right now, it appears the Cowboys are rolling with Eric Kendricks and Damone Clark as their top two linebackers. But there’s no question second-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown will have something to say about that. Post ACL rehab, Overshown picked up right where he left off last year’s preseason.
If anything, I expect the former third-rounder to eat into Clark’s snaps throughout the year. Sure, it’s a 4-3 defense but it’s an NFL where nickel is your true base defense, so Dallas will field only a couple of backers most of the snaps.
10. Brandon Aubrey stays dominant
I’m not sure I need to elaborate here. Aubrey would’ve tied Justin Tucker’s record for longest NFL field goal ever had his preseason kick counted on the history books. We have witnessed no evidence of this dude slowing down.
Related: Mike McCarthy's recent comments put Cowboys' former second-round draft pick on blast ahead of Week 1
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