After the first couple of weeks of what's been one of the wildest NFL offseasons in recent memory, sportsbooks and oddsmakers are now comfortable enough to put out projected win totals.

In the betting world, these win totals mean you can bet on any team going over or under their respective projections. Last year, for example, the Cowboys' total before the season was set at 9.5 wins. Mike McCarthy's team comfortably passed that mark by winning 12 regular-season games.

This time around, sportsbooks are setting the bar a little bit higher for America's Team. Per DraftKings' odds, the Dallas Cowboys projected win total for the 2022 season sits at 10.5 wins.

It's a good number. It's a tough one to break down and since it's still early in the offseason, there are many unknowns around the team and around the NFL. But it's never too early to make futures bets, so let's dive in!

The case for UNDER 10.5 wins

You don't have to be a professional talent evaluator to know the Cowboys' offensive talent is taking a step back in 2022. La'el Collins has established himself as one of the top right tackles in the league and the effect of losing him should be felt in the trenches. To what extent is the real question, as Terence Steele showed he can handle the job last season.

The Cowboys are betting on CeeDee Lamb to arise as the team's number one wide receiver, but losing Amari Cooper is a big blow to the offense.

Then there's the risk of defensive regression. One conclusion data analytics has reached in pro football is that it's more difficult to sustain defensive success year over year as opposed to offensive success. Even with similar talent, will the Cowboys' defense remain a Top 3 unit in the league?

As excited as Cowboys Nation is about Dan Quinn's defense, it's fair to question how efficient it will be next season. Especially with depth questions at several key positions like cornerback and linebacker.

The case for OVER 10.5 wins

Amari Cooper and La'el Collins will be missed, but it's not like the Cowboys will be left without talent on offense. Dak Prescott should have a healthier offseason and better quarterback play could very well make up for those key departures.

Whether it was the calf injury or just a slump, it's clear that Dak wasn't at his best in the second half of the 2022 season. Something was definitely off, as the Cowboys' efficiency dropped to below-average numbers. Prescott bouncing back should be more than enough to restore faith in Dallas' skilled offense.

Then there's the schedule. Based on win-loss records from last season, the Cowboys will face the easiest schedule in the NFL. That's not to say that's the best way of measuring strength of schedule, but at least it paints a picture.

Within the NFC East, the Cowboys are the only team with a projected win total higher than nine.

The verdict: OVER

It's March, so I'll allow myself to be optimistic about how the season will pan out in the end. I'm taking over 10.5 wins for the Dallas Cowboys as I expect the team to address the offensive line early in the Draft and believe the wide receiving room isn't in a bad spot even if it'd be better off with Cooper still on the team.

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