DALLAS COWBOYS
2024 Record - 7-10-0
Head Coach - Brian Schottenheimer
2024 Offensive Rank - (17th overall) - 328 YPG; Passing - 227 YPG (11th), Rushing - 101 YPG (27th); Scoring - 20.6 PPG (21st)
2024 Defensive Rank - (28th overall) - 355 YPG; Passing - 218 YPG (17th), Rushing - 137 YPG (29th); Scoring - 27.5 PPG (31st)
Key Additions for 2025 - George Pickens (WR), Javonte Williams (RB), Kenneth Murray, Jr. (LB), Miles Sanders (RB), Rob Jones (OL), Dante Fowler, Jr. (DL)
Key Losses for 2025 - Jourdan Lewis (DB), Brandin Cooks (WR), Eric Kendricks (LB), Zack Martin (OL), Cooper Rush (QB), Chauncey Golston (DL), Rico Dowdle (RB)
OFFENSE - The Cowboys will have Dak Prescott back at quarterback after he only played in eight games a year ago due to a hamstring injury. Prescott had 1,978 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Running back Javonte Williams comes over this season from the Denver Broncos, where he rushed for 513 yards (3.7 YPC) and scored four touchdowns in addition to having 52 receptions for 346 yards. Veteran Miles Sanders is in camp after coming over from Carolina, where he rushed for 205 yards (3.7 YPC) and two scores last year. Rookie Jaydon Blue (Texas) is another option for the running game. CeeDee Lamb (101 receptions, 1,194 yards, six TD) is the primary wide receiver and George Pickens (59, 900, three TD with Pittsburgh Steelers) will be in the mix as well. Jalen Tolbert caught 49 passes for 610 yards and seven touchdowns while tight end Jake Ferguson had 59 receptions for 494 yards.
DEFENSE - Defensive End Micah Parsons (12 QB sacks) leads the defense up front. Newcomer Dante Fowler, Jr. (10 1/2 sacks with Washington) will be on the front line as well while DeMarvion Overshown (95 tackles) and Kenneth Murray, Jr. (95 tackles with Tennessee in 2024) are at linebacker. The secondary has cornerbacks Trevon Diggs (two interceptions) and DaRon Bland along with safeties Donovan Wilson (90 tackles) and Malik Hooker, who had two interceptions last season.
OUTLOOK - Dallas dropped to a 7-10 record last year after winning 12 games for three consecutive seasons and (former) head coach Mike McCarthy was fired, paving the way for new Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer in 2025. With Prescott back healthy, the Cowboys should score more points this season as he has two prime targets with Lamb and Pickens. The running game could be a question mark after leading rusher (Rico Dowdle) left in the off-season and now Javonte Williams will try and get the rushing attack back in gear.
Getting Parsons back in the fold will be important on defense as he is seeking a contract extension deal. The team lost linebacker Eric Kendricks (team leading 145 tackles last season) to free agency along with cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Replacing them will not be easy, but if the new players being counted on can maintain some level of consistency, it would bolster the defense, which fell off a year ago. Dallas only had 13 interceptions, but did get 52 sacks, which was third best in the league. Better red zone play would also improve the defense this season. The playoffs are within reach for the Cowboys, but they have to be steady on both sides of the football throughout the season and keep (QB) Prescott on the field.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - at Philadelphia
Week Two - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Three - at Chicago
Week Four - vs. Green Bay
Week Five - at N.Y. Jets
Week Six - at Carolina
Week Seven - vs. Washington
Week Eight - at Denver
Week Nine - vs. Arizona
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - at Las Vegas
Week Twelve - vs. Philadelphia
Week Thirteen - vs. Kansas City
Week Fourteen - at Detroit
Week Fifteen - vs. Minnesota
Week Sixteen - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Seventeen - at Washington
Week Eighteen - at N.Y. Giants
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