The Dallas Cowboys offense is definitely hard to figure out. Heading into the 2022 season, one can see why it can still be seen as a Top 10 offense. After all – frustrating playoff loss or not – this has been a Top 10 unit in both years Kellen Moore has worked with a healthy Dak Prescott.

However, a shaky offensive line and a banged-up group of wide receivers are cause for concern. Especially when the Cowboys coaching staff hasn't been known for its creativity in specific situations and has been blamed for not exploiting the talent at hand. Looking at Amari Cooper's targets and Tony Pollard's carries serves as quick evidence.

However, some still have high hopes for the Cowboys' offense. Among these is former Wisconsin quarterback Nate Tice. Currently a co-host of The Athletic's Football Show, Tice gave America's Team some love in a recent episode ranking the Top 10 offenses in the NFL.

After acknowledging the concerns everyone has about the Cowboys (swing tackle, wide receiver depth, game-planning), Tice had a simple reason to rank Dallas 8th in the league.

"I keep re-watching Dak before he popped his calf and I get suckered back into this team. Every time," said Tice on the show. "He's going to sugarcoat it for me. I really think he's going to be great."

Tice went on to explain his bullish stance on the Cowboys. He pointed out how last year was the season in which Dak had the least scrambles and the team lacked efficiency in designed QB runs, throws on the run, and stats relating to the quarterback's movement since 2018.

For Tice, the Cowboys' success in 2022 has to be about Prescott putting the team on his back.

"You gotta lean into it," claimed Tice. "We gotta create these yards somehow. They have to be creative with him, they have to get him on the move a little bit more to help out the offensive line."

For a long time, the NFL analyst for The Athletic has praised Prescott's technique in the pocket. It's not the first time he compares the Cowboys QB's precision to that of a robot. But Nate Tice thinks the key is for him to try and create more:

"I know he wants to be this super-robot from the pocket and that's why I love him. But he has to create a little bit more. He has to. He has to put more on his shoulders, I think he's okay with that."

"It has to be Dak's year."

Last year, you could argue that's exactly what was happening before his calf injury in the Cowboys' dramatic win over the New England Patriots. If the cliché offseason narratives prove to be true and Prescott is at the healthiest he's ever been, there's reason to believe he'll do more.

"It's second-reaction plays. Being able to find those throws late in the down," added Robert Mays, the podcast's lead host. He pointed toward the losses against top defensive coaches like the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.

"Can you just get that splash play that emerges out of nowhere because you make it happen?"

The Cowboys know they've got a special quarterback in him. We'll see if they put more on his plate, especially from a "creator" perspective. Throughout his career, Dak has proven he's got a great presence in the pocket. He can run and he can throw on the move. It's all about putting it together late in downs to be seen as a top "playmaking" quarterback in the NFL.

Featured image via Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports