Where the Dallas Cowboys land in ESPN's early 2022 NFL power rankings
The Dallas Cowboys will enter the 2022 season with massive expecations. It's essentially Super Bowl or bust for head coach Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys. Dallas has a championship-caliber roster. They have an elite quarterback and a great defense. Both coordinators are returning in 2022 (continuity is important). There are no excuses for the Cowboys […]
The Dallas Cowboys will enter the 2022 season with massive expecations.
It's essentially Super Bowl or bust for head coach Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys.
Dallas has a championship-caliber roster. They have an elite quarterback and a great defense. Both coordinators are returning in 2022 (continuity is important). There are no excuses for the Cowboys next season.
ESPN's early 2022 NFL power rankings share that sentiment. They have the Cowboys as the No. 7 ranked team ahead of the 2022 season.
Here's what they say about Dallas:
Mike McCarthy is on the clock, despite a 12-5 finish and NFC East title in 2021. It's about what the Cowboys didn't do in 2021, which was win at least one playoff game. Dan Quinn opted to remain with team, so maybe he could be the future Cowboys coach. For the Cowboys to take the next step under McCarthy, the offense has to find its form. Yes, they were No. 1 in yards and points in 2021, but those numbers are a bit hollow when looked at more closely. McCarthy's expertise is on the offensive side of the ball. He'll need to get the run game back in form and aid Kellen Moore when things are not going perfectly.
This feels spot on. McCarthy is definitely on the clock. If the Cowboys don't at least reach the Super Bowl, McCarthy is gone. And even that might not be good enough (win or go home).
Winning a championship is incredibly difficult. The expectation shouldn't be Super Bowl or bust every season. The Cowboys, however, are in this position because of all the wasted talent over the last 25 years.
The expectations for Dallas are only to grow as we get closer to the start of the 2022 season.
It's a tough spot to be in for McCarthy. But if you want to be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, you best be ready to accept that you'll be the most scrutinized head coach in the NFL if you don't win.
Featured image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
