'Bad Surprise!' Cowboys 'A Hard Place To Win,' NFL Survey Claims

FRISCO — Months removed from their NFC Wild Card letdown, there remains some hangover for the Dallas Cowboys . While the team appears ready to put that postseason failure in the rearview, circles of spectators outside "the Star" have certainly not forgotten.

Looking at the entirety of the 2023 season, the Cowboys turned a corner on offense with Mike McCarthy calling plays and the defense continued its playmaking under Dan Quinn.

But that loss to the Green Bay Packers washed away the good will. Quinn departed for a new position, leaving the Cowboys with pressing questions, specifically on the defensive side.

A poll of NFL executives and coaches conducted by The Athletic expressed that concern from the outside. From the results of 21 responders, the Cowboys were tabbed the team most likely to "surprise in a bad away."

"Losing the defensive coordinator is going to be a huge deal, and I think it’s a big difference in scheme from what they did before," an anonymous executive said. "They’re plenty talented. It’s just a hard place to win."

For such a "hard place to win" the Cowboys have certainly made it look doable in three consecutive 12-5 seasons. Of course, they have also made it seem nearly impossible to win a playoff game in that same stretch.

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Nonetheless, will the defense find the same success under Mike Zimmer? The talented pieces remain at his disposal and he brings a shift in philosophy from his predecessor.

This defense should demonstrate an improved product in run stoppage while maintaining its edge with aggressive, not reckless, pass coverage. Overall, the Cowboys should exhibit more discipline on that side of the ball, a necessary change from the Quinn regime.

There is plenty of evidence to belief in the Cowboys and specifically the defense this season, but many have chosen avenues of doubt for this team. Perhaps that gives Dallas an opportunity to "surprise in a good way'' instead.