DALLAS COWBOYS
2020 Record - 6-10-0
Head Coach - Mike McCarthy
Key Additions - Ty Nsekhe (OL), Jeremy Sprinkle (TE), Terrell Basham (DL), Damontae Kazee (DB), Jayron Kearse (DB), Keeanu Neal (DB), Brent Urban (DL), Carlos Watkins (DL)
OFFENSE - Dak Prescott is on the mend after a season ending ankle injury last year and has been battling other various injuries during training camp, but looks to be the starting quarterback once again. In limited play in 2020, Prescott threw for 1,856 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Ben DiNucci, Cooper Rush and Garrett Gilbert are all vying for the backup job this season.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott returns for his sixth season after going for 979 rushing yards a year ago (4.0 ypc average) and six touchdowns. He also had 52 receptions and two more scores out of the backfield. Tony Pollard (435, 4.3 ypc and four TD) is an ample backup. The tight ends include Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz (63 receptions for 615 yards and four touchdowns last season) and Jeremy Sprinkle, who comes over from Washington.
The wide receiving corps is deep and talented with the likes of CeeDee Lamb (74, 935, five TD), Amari Cooper (92, 1,114, five TD) and Michael Gallup, who had 59 receptions for 843 yards and five touchdowns. The Cowboys offense ranked 14th a year ago, averaging 372 yards per game (112 rushing and 260 passing) while averaging 24.7 points per game.
DEFENSE - Randy Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence (6 1/2 QB sacks), Brent Urban and Osa Odighizuwa will be up front for the defense. Neville Gallimore is injured and won't likely be back until early October at defensive tackle. The linebackers are Leighton Vander Esch, Jaylon Smith (team leading 154 tackles last year) and either Keanu Neal or rookie Micah Parsons (Penn State) with Luke Gifford, Francis Bernard and rookie Jabril Cox (LSU) providing depth.
The secondary has many new faces in camp this season as Damontae Kazee, Jayron Kearse and Keanu Neal all come on board. The corners are Trevon Diggs (three interceptions) and rookie Kelvin Joseph (Kentucky) with Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown backing up. Donovan Wilson and Kazee are the likely starting safeties.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - After finishing 6-10 a year ago and dealing with not having Dak Prescott as the quarterback, the Cowboys and second year Head Coach Mike McCarthy are looking forward and not backward as the 2021 season approaches.
The NFC East is once again up for grabs and the Cowboys can win it if they stay healthy and don't make so many mistakes. Washington won the division with a 7-9 record last year, but Dallas can right things if they can win the division games this time around after going 2-4 against NFC East opponents last season. The defense must do better after a dismal finish at 23rd in the league, giving up 386 yards per game and 29.6 points per game (28th). The pass defense ranked 11th in the NFL, giving up 227 YPG, but the run defense was terrible, allowing 159 yards per game, which ranked 31st in the NFL. Dallas had 31 QB sacks last season and intercepted ten passes.
Avoiding another slow start would definitely help the team in their pursuit of a playoff spot for the first time since the 2018 season. The heat is on McCarthy and his staff already mainly because the Cowboys have been highly touted, but the team hasn't been to the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season. That looks to be another lofty goal this season as a 9-8 finish would be an improvement and just might get the Cowboys back into the playoffs. After that, they are playing with house money.
2021 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Tampa Bay
Week 2 - at L.A. Chargers
Week 3 - vs. Philadelphia
Week 4 - vs. Carolina
Week 5 - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week 6 - at New England
Week 7 - BYE
Week 8 - at Minnesota
Week 9 - vs. Denver
Week 10 - vs. Atlanta
Week 11 - at Kansas City
Week 12 - vs. Las Vegas
Week 13 - at New Orleans
Week 14 - at Washington
Week 15 - at N.Y. Giants
Week 16 - vs. Washington
Week 17 - vs. Arizona
Week 18 - at Philadelphia
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