From now until the start of the NFL season, I will be releasing a weekly article called State Of The League. It will cover each of the 32 NFL teams, including their 2023 season, offseason acquisitions, and what to expect from them in 2024 (think best/worst-case scenarios). Enjoy! Up next is the Dallas Cowboys.
You have to give these boys some credit. The Dallas Cowboys have finished with a record of 12-5 for three straight seasons.
But, in each of those seasons, they have failed to make it past the divisional round.
It will almost be 30 years since the last time the Cowboys made an appearance in the Super Bowl. Yes, they won the Lombardi Trophy that season. But, fans forget that even happened considering how long it’s been.
With the uncertainty of Dak Prescott‘s future with the team plus the expectations/attention on them every year, 2024 needs to be the year they take the next step. The question is: can they do so?
2023 Season
- Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
- Record: 12-5
- Offense: 29.9 PPG (1/32)
- Defense: 18.5 PPG (5/32)
- Leading passer: QB Dak Prescott (12-5 as starter, 69.5% completion percentage, 36 touchdowns, nine interceptions)
- Leading rusher: RB Tony Pollard (252 carries, 1,005 yards, six touchdowns)
- Leading receiver: WR CeeDee Lamb (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 touchdowns)
- Leading tackler: LB Damone Clark (109)
- Interceptions: CB DaRon Bland (9)
- Sacks: LB Micah Parsons (14)
Dallas made a statement from the jump, taking care of the divisional rival New York Giants 40-0 in week one. Then, they went ahead and put up 30 points against the Jets in their home opener at AT&T Stadium to get themselves off to a hot start for the season.
Their best stretch of the year started in week 10, where they proceeded to win five straight games. In total, the Cowboys won seven of their last nine games to finish the year 12-5 and took the NFC East title.
Of course, when Dallas has made the postseason in recent memories, disappointment tends to follow. It happened early, with the Green Bay Packers knocking them out in the wild-card round 48-32.
Statistically, Prescott had one of his best seasons with a career-high 36 touchdowns. It helps his WR1 was phenomenal. 3x Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb led the league with 135 receptions and a career-high 1,749 receiving yards. The offense was the best in the league, scoring-wise.
The defense, led by Micah Parsons, was a top-five unit all season long. But, in that playoff game against Green Bay, they couldn’t stop anything whatsoever.
Offseason Acquisitions and Departures
- Notable Departures: RB Tony Pollard, C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dante Fowler Jr, OT Tyron Smith, WR Michael Gallup, LB Leighton Vander Esch, CB Stephon Gilmore
- Notable Acquisitions: LB Eric Kendricks, RB Ezekiel Elliott, RB Royce Freeman
- Notable re-signings: CB Jourdan Lewis, RB Rico Dowdle, LB Damien Wilson
Favorite Acquisition: RB Ezekiel Elliott. Not only is it a good story to see him back where it all started, but this may be Elliott’s last chance to revive his career. His last stint in Dallas along with his time with the Patriots weren’t very promising. If the former Ohio State product rushes for 1,000 yards and shows signs of his old self, critics of this signing may have to keep quiet. He’ll have every opportunity, as the other running backs aren’t promising or have inspired much optimism. Besides, the team still not drafting at the position in the draft still bothers me.
Draft
Pullin' up to rookie year 📸🚙#DallasCowboys | @myplates pic.twitter.com/4vtMPjFJWe
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 27, 2024
- R1, P29: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
- R2, P24: EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
- R3, P9: OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
- R3, P24: LB Marist Liuafu, Notre Dame
- R5, P39: CB Caelen Carson, Wake Forest
- R6, P40: WR Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State
- R7, P13: OT Nathan Thomas, Louisiana
- R7, P24: DT Justin Rogers, Auburn
Favorite Pick: OT Tyler Guyton. Personally, the team’s entire draft didn’t impress me whatsoever. But, at least they addressed one major need. Guyton is still raw as a tackle prospect, playing just 14 games at the position as a Sooner. The team needed a starter at tackle, which is what he was drafted to be. With his size and agility, the former tight end will likely play on the left side and will allow the team to keep Tyler Smith at left guard.
2024 Dallas Cowboys Regular Season Schedule (O/U 9.5)
- Week 1: @ Browns
- Week 2: vs. Saints
- Week 3: vs. Ravens
- Week 4: @ Giants (TNF)
- Week 5: @ Steelers (SNF)
- Week 6: vs. Lions
- Week 7: BYE
- Week 8: @ 49ers (SNF)
- Week 9: @ Falcons
- Week 10: vs. Eagles
- Week 11: vs. Texans (MNF)
- Week 12: @ Commanders
- Week 13: vs. Giants (Thanksgiving)
- Week 14: vs. Bengals (MNF)
- Week 15: @ Panthers
- Week 16: vs. Buccaneers (SNF)
- Week 17: @ Eagles
- Week 18: vs. Commanders
Favorite Game: Week 8 @ 49ers. After that 42-10 debacle last year that saw the Cowboys get absolutely embarrassed on national television, this is their get-back game against the best team in the NFC. If the Cowboys want to make a statement that things are different this upcoming year, a win against San Francisco midway through the year would do wonders.
Thoughts On The Dallas Cowboys
Minicampin' 🏕️#DallasCowboys | @Invisalign pic.twitter.com/sp2ih9gv7z
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) June 5, 2024
According to Sharp Football, Dallas has the tenth-toughest schedule this season. But, in a weak division where the only real threat is just the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys are more than likely to be a playoff team once again.
Prescott is entering the last year on his contract, making 2024 pivotal if he wants to remain a Cowboy and get paid big money. After a career year statistically last season, he looks to repeat that success and lead the team further into the postseason.
Though the running back corps got worse (Tony Pollard to Ezekiel Elliott is a downgrade, let’s be honest), the team still has top-five wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on the team. He is the clear WR1. The veteran Brandin Cooks enters his second year in Dallas, and looks to continue to be dependable after catching eight touchdowns in 2023. Tight end Jake Ferguson is more than capable of being a solid starting tight end, catching 71 passes for 761 yards and five touchdowns.
The offensive line is still a top-ten unit, with Zach Martin and Tyler Smith leading the way at guard. But, Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz are gone, leaving uncertainty at left tackle and center.
Defensively, they’re also one of the best in the league. Their front four led by DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parson are as scary as they can come. 2024 second-rounder Marshawn Kneeland just adds even more fear into opposing offenses on the edge.
Their linebacking corps is a bit questionable, with an aging Eric Kendricks and a rookie in Marist Liufau looking to start at the MIKE and SAM positions. But, at least leading tackler Damone Clark (61.8 PFF grade) remains.
Opposite of DaRon Bland (90.4 PFF grade) is Trevon Diggs, which create one of the best cornerback duos in the league. Jourdan Lewis is set to be the nickelback, which is bad considering opposing quarterbacks had a 106.4 passer rating when throwing his way. But,
Malik Hooker (77.3) and Donovan Wilson (68.0) are at the backend at safety. No concerns there.
Record Prediction: 10-7
The Cowboys will make a fourth straight appearance in the postseason. But, their fate is clear, advancing no further than the divisional round.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week for more NFL content and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out me and my co-host Brian Germinaro on the Third and Ten Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
Featured Image: George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
