2017 Record - 9-7-0
Head Coach - Jason Garrett
2017 Offensive Ranking - 14th (332 ypg, 22.1 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 8th (318 ypg, 20.8 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - The Cowboys will have Dak Prescott back at quarterback for the third season in a row. Prescott had 3,324 yards passing in 2017 along with 22 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. He also had six rushing touchdowns.
The running game is headed up by Ezekiel Elliott, who rushed for 983 yards (in 10 games) and scored seven touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes with two scores. Behind Elliott is Rod Smith (232 yards, four TD).
The wide receiving corps is completely different from a year ago as Dez Bryant was released after leading the Cowboys in receiving last year. The mainstays look to be Allen Hurns (39 receptions for 484 yards with two TD with Jacksonville) and Cole Beasley (36, 314, four TD). Tavon Austin comes over from the Rams, where he caught 13 passes a year ago while also rushing for 270 yards in a dual role. Rookie Michael Gallup (Colorado State) was a third round pick and will look to contribute. The tight ends are Geoff Swaim and Rico Gathers, who will replace retired Jason Witten.
DEFENSE - DeMarcus Lawrence (14 1/2 QB sacks) and David Irving (seven sacks) lead the defense up front while Kony Ealy (DE) and Sean Lee (outside linebacker) will also have key roles for the NFL's eighth ranked defensive unit last season.
Top draft pick Leighton Vander Esch (linebacker from Boise State) may crack the starting unit in the middle while being flanked by Lee and Jaylon Smith.
In the secondary are Jeff Heath and Anthony Brown leading the way. Heath picked off three passes a year ago while Brown intercepted two passes. Overall, the 'Pokes had only ten interceptions while giving up 214 yards passing per game.
OUTLOOK - The Cowboys slipped to 9-7 a year ago and missed the playoffs while Elliott served a six-game suspension and Prescott was up-and-down in his second season as the starting quarterback.
Head Coach Jason Garrett once again is in the hot seat as the team looks to get back to the post-season. The key will be Prescott and Elliott returning to the form they displayed as rookies two years ago. If that happens and the revamped receiving corps comes along, the Cowboys could find themselves back in the playoffs.
The defense is pretty solid as they were a top ten unit in 2017 and look to continue that success again this season. Linebacker Sean Lee needs to stay healthy as he is the leader of the unit and wreaks havoc against opponents.
The first five weeks of the schedule could bode well for Dallas as only Carolina was a playoff team last year. A good start would definitely be huge for them in the NFC East division where the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles loom large.
There are a lot of questions facing the team, especially at wide receiver, but a playoff appearance is not out of the question for the Cowboys this season. But they have to do better than 9-7, which is more likely to happen again in 2018 than enough improvement to get them back to the playoffs.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Carolina
Week 2 - vs. NY Giants
Week 3 - at Seattle
Week 4 - vs. Detroit
Week 5 - at Houston
Week 6 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 7 - at Washington
Week 8 - Bye
Week 9 - vs. Tennessee
Week 10 - at Philadelphia
Week 11 - at Atlanta
Week 12 - vs. Washington
Week 13 - vs. New Orleans
Week 14 - vs. Philadelphia
Week 15 - at Indianapolis
Week 16 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 17 - at NY Giants
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