For years, the Cowboys' defense was seen as a liability, and the reason the organization couldn't get over the hump. 2021 was a turnaround in that theory as the Cowboys finished No. 1 in forcing turnovers (34) and stopping teams on third down.

The Cowboys have to fill a big void offensively in 2022 with the loss of wide receiver Amari Cooper. Despite this setback, Pro Football Focus believes the Cowboys' offensive weapons, not its defense, is their biggest strength going into the upcoming season.

Sam Monson on the Cowboys' offensive firepower:

"Trading away Amari Cooper is a big blow to this group, but they had so much depth that it remains the team’s strength. When you look beyond wide receiver, Dallas has an extensive array of weapons. Tight end Dalton Schultz had a breakout season, earning above average PFF grades in every facet of play. The team expects to get Tony Pollard more involved in other areas this season while finding ever more creative ways to avoid sending Ezekiel Elliott to the bench. Rookie Jalen Tolbert has a skill set that could let him really surprise people early in his NFL career, and the expectation is that there is much more to come from CeeDee Lamb as the team’s true alpha receiver."

Dallas will be slightly handicapped on offense to start the season. Wide receiver Michael Gallup will likely miss at least the first month as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in January. That means that Tolbert and free-agent addition James Washington will have to step up in his absence, and it will be incumbent on offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to use the versatility of both to get them the football.

If the Cowboys are successful in doing so, then things will open up for Lamb. He's entering year three, and with Copper off the roster, Lamb is expected to be unleashed. Much like Tolbert and Washington, Lamb has experience at multiple receiver spots, but will likely see most of his work on the outside this season. Once Gallup is back healthy, things will be even easier with the attention he'll garner, and could make the Cowboys' passing game a nightmare to defend.

One of the main things Moore has to figure out this season is how to utilize Pollard more. His explosiveness and ability to make one cut and take it to the house have to be incorporated into the game plan, and in doing so, it will keep Elliott from taking so much punishment.

Over the first five games in 2020, Elliott was third in the NFL in rushing with two 100-yard performances. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn PCL and was foolishly overused for the rest of the season. Elliott's production before his injury proved he can still make an impact, but the Cowboys have to be smart and let Pollard take some of the load off of him as he enters year seven.

The Cowboys are talented enough to make the playoffs. However, if they want to make a deep run this postseason, the Cowboys' offense will need to be consistent and not have lapses in which they look unprepared once teams make adjustments which have been the case too often over the last several seasons.

Moore, all eyes are on you, sir.

Feature image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports