A lot is at stake for the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2024 NFL season as they try to prove they belong with the best in the conference after another underwhelming playoff exit in January.
To do that, they'll have to defeat the very best in the NFC. Not only during their regular season matchups but on the standings and most importantly, when it's time to play do or die football.
Below are the three teams I'd consider the biggest foes for the Cowboys within the conference ahead of September.
1. San Francisco 49ers
This is the big one. At this point, the Cowboys don't even represent a "big game" for the San Francisco 49ers, who have had the best of Dallas for the last three years.
The Cowboys could really use a top seed in the NFC for home field advantage (even if it didn't really help them last January) and the biggest foe standing in the way has to be the Niners, who have proven they can win consistently with a high-end roster and elite coaching.
Despite some losses on defense, the 49ers made up for it with key additions throughout the offseason, like the arrival of Leonard Floyd making up for the departure of Chase Young, who disappointed after arriving to the Bay mid-trade.
This remains the best team in the NFC and more importantly, the most fearsome matchup for the Cowboys, who have yet to prove they can stop Kyle Shanahan's scheme, a big reason why the team brought in Mike Zimmer to coach the defense.
2. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are no longer the team of tomorrow. They are a not-so distant second-best team in the conference behind the Niners, something backed up by the last NFC Championship Game in which the Lions almost spoiled the party at Levi's Stadium in a hard-fought game.
The Lions have arguably the best offensive line in football and a 38-year-old offensive guru in Ben Johnson calling the shots on a dangerous unit that includes Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
If their rookies elevate their struggling secondary, this is one of the scariest teams in the entire league. Right now, they should be ranked above the Cowboys.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
If someone is going to take the Lions' claim for best offensive line in the game, it's the Philadelphia Eagles even after Jason Kelce's retirement. The Cowboys' division rival made a significant bet this offseason as it brought in a couple of new coordinators in Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio and it could pay off huge dividends after last year's struggles in Philly.
Although the Cowboys' most fearsome rival is likely to remain the 49ers, the Eagles are by far the most important one as winning the NFC East will determine who plays at home in the playoffs.
The range for the Eagles feels pretty large as it's easy to see them making a deep playoff run while it's impossible to dismiss them not being able to overcome the late-season struggles from last year. Coaching will be the X-factor of their season.
Related: National analyst picks long-shot Cowboys member to win major award in 2024 NFL season
Local Dallas, TX
Most Popular
Comments / 0