Why the Dallas Cowboys need to be considered a legit title contender
At 5-1, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the best records in the entire NFL and hold a three-game lead in the NFC East. Dallas has won five consecutive games after dropping a thriller against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the opening game of the 2021 season. The Cowboys have gone on the road and […]
At 5-1, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the best records in the entire NFL and hold a three-game lead in the NFC East. Dallas has won five consecutive games after dropping a thriller against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the opening game of the 2021 season.
The Cowboys have gone on the road and knocked off Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. Dak Prescott went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady and the champs. Dallas put an end to the early-season hype around the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles. Most recently, the Cowboys went into enemy territory and won an overtime classic in Foxborough.
Yet, there are still some that are underselling the Dallas Cowboys as championship contenders. With the offensive firepower and the way that the defense is playing, the Cowboys demand serious respect in the Super Bowl contenders conversation.
COWBOYS FORCE YOU TO "PICK YOUR POISON"
The Dallas Cowboys have the most dangerous offense in the NFL. Dallas can beat opponents throwing the football with Dak Prescott. The Cowboys can also beat you running the football with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. This is backed up by Dallas leading the NFL in points per game, yards per game, and yards per play.
Picking your poison is an understatement. Dak Prescott, who is tied for the best MVP odds after six weeks, is playing some of the best football of his career. He has proven time and time again that he can — and will — beat whatever defenses throw at him.
Prescott has elevated his game to an entirely different level. He is, without question, one of the elite quarterbacks in football right now. His accuracy has been next-level, he is incredible throwing from the pocket and on the move, and Prescott is always one step ahead of the defense.
Defenses began to play two-high safeties following Prescott's 403-yard, three-touchdown week one performance against Tampa Bay. So, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore turned to the ground game and punished opponents that way.
As a result, Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard have been dominating and wearing down defenses. Elliott looks like his younger self, while Pollard has added the juice to complement Zeke perfectly. The Cowboys are averaging 5.1 yards per rush, good for fourth in the league.
The Dallas Cowboys offense has so many weapons to throw at opponents: Elliott, Pollard, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, and Cedrick Wilson have all played large roles. Noah Brown and Blake Jarwin are two more players that have stepped up.
Also, Michael Gallup and starting right tackle La'el Collins are both expected to be back shortly after the bye week. Those are two key additions that have the ability to make the offense even better.
When you combine those talents with a quarterback like Prescott and an offensive play caller like Moore, good things are bound to happen. In this case, it's been closer to magnificent than just good.
DEFENSE IS TAKING THE BALL WAY
On the other side of the football, the Dallas Cowboys are playing some impressive defense. Dan Quinn has his unit playing with their hair on fire. Dallas is taking the ball away at an incredible rate while making life difficult for opponents.
Dallas has 14 takeaways through six games this season. That only trails the Buffalo Bills' 16. The Cowboys have forced 11 interceptions — most in the NFL — and three fumbles. As a result, the defense is giving more opportunities for Dak Prescott and company to put points on the scoreboard.
Trevon Diggs has been the star of this side of the ball. The second-year corner has emerged as the Defensive Player of the Year favorite after grabbing seven interceptions — including two pick-sixes — already this season. Diggs is truly a ballhawk and is playing at an elite level.
Diggs is a special player in the secondary. He has helped take this defense to a level that has made the Cowboys a real threat this season. ESPN's Seth Walder argues that Diggs needs to be in the early-season MVP conversation.
Additionally, rookie Micah Parsons has played some spectacular football early on in his career. He is a rare athlete that has the ability to rush the passer and play linebacker — and make a positive impact doing both. Fellow rookie Osa Odighizuwa has been a pleasant addition along the defensive line. Randy Gregory is developing into the player many expected he could be when he was drafted.
Dallas will welcome back DeMarcus Lawrence, Donovan Wilson, and Neville Gallimore this season. First-year corner Kelvin Joseph is expected to make his debut soon. Dan Quinn will have more toys to work with on his side of the ball.
Therefore, it is reasonable to expect the defense to continue playing at similar level to what it is now.
COWBOYS ARE CONTENDERS
The bottom line is that the Dallas Cowboys are a real championship contender in 2021. There is still a long way to go this season, but the Cowboys have the makings of a team that can make a real run.
Dallas has the quarterback in Dak Prescott that can elevate a team. The Cowboys have surrounded their signal caller with explosive weapons on the outside. Reinforcements on both sides of the ball should give the team an extra boost following the week seven bye week.
Furthermore, the Cowboys have knocked off an AFC contender in the Chargers, while giving the defending champions all that they could handle in Prescott's first game back from a season-ending injury. Some tricky challenges await the Cowboys — like the Vikings, Chiefs, and Cardinals — but Dallas has been up to the challenge to this point.
With an explosive offense and a defense playing well, it is time to consider the Cowboys as a legitimate title contender this season.
Featured image via Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
