How can the Dallas Cowboys win the NFC East?
As everyone is aware of now, the Cowboys have lost Dak Prescott for the season after a gruesome ankle injury. This is yet another crushing loss to a depth chart that seems to be thinning out quickly. Luckily for Dallas, they play in undoubtedly the weakest division in the NFL. Without a doubt, it's bad, […]
As everyone is aware of now, the Cowboys have lost Dak Prescott for the season after a gruesome ankle injury. This is yet another crushing loss to a depth chart that seems to be thinning out quickly.
Luckily for Dallas, they play in undoubtedly the weakest division in the NFL. Without a doubt, it's bad, real bad. This means the Cowboys can lock up a playoff spot, simply by being “the best of the worst”.
How can they do it with Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback?
Control the Clock
With Dak out, the offense needs to lean on the guy they did pay already in Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke is averaging 4.8 yards per touch and has gotten into the endzone six times already. In order for Dallas to succeed, he’s gonna have to produce at an all-time personal high. With an inexperienced and banged up offensive line, it won’t be easy. Alas, that’s why Jerry Jones dished out some serious cash to him.
The Cowboys’ weapons on the outside should be helpful with time management as well since some manufactured offense can come from guys like Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup with Dalton at the helm. Dallas’ investment in Dalton will play a huge role in any resolution of the season as he is one of the best and most experienced backups in the league.
In order to have a chance to punch with the big boys of the NFC like Green Bay and Seattle, Dallas must control the clock similar to how they did early in Dak’s career. They will just have to do it without their starting QB.
Rookies Must Step In & Step Up
CeeDee Lamb’s impact for the Cowboys has been showcased nationally all season. Obviously, that’s exactly how it should be for such a young and exciting talent. The season is only about a quarter of the way over, and they cannot afford to have him slow down. His shiftiness after the catch will be very important for what will most likely be conservative gameplans with Dalton at quarterback.
Fellow rookie Trevon Diggs played possibly his best game in coverage this past week against New York. His improvement over the year would make a huge difference for a sputtering defense. The secondary as a whole must be better. Furthermore, Diggs making some big plays against some struggling QBs in the division could be very important.
Tyler Biadasz is now the starter at center in place of the retired perennial Pro Bowler, Travis Frederick. A guy fans have been clamoring for to start since the start of the year, he’s stepped in to be a really nice piece of the Dallas offensive line. Additionally, his job only gets tougher and more important with more of a pocket passer in Andy in place of Dak.
Win the Games You’re Expected to Win
Dallas will most likely enter every divisional game as the favorite for the rest of the season. They must take advantage. Accordingly, they need to take care of business against Washington in both matchups as well as beat the Giants once more. Divisional games are never a simple task, but they will be vital for the Cowboys chances.
For the division title race, it may once again come down to their meetings with Philadelphia. The Cowboys at the very least must split those two games. In the best case scenario, they beat the Eagles in both games because their strengths match up extremely well with Philadelphia’s weaknesses. The schedule also includes games against the struggling Bengals and Vikings as well as one versus the already injury-riddled 49ers in week 15.
Ultimately, the team controls their destiny to a playoff trip. This all may sound so black-and-white for Dallas. Nonetheless, everyone knows that’s not how football goes for any team.
Especially in 2020.
Featured image via USA Today Sports
