2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 12-5, Loss vs. Green Bay Packers in Wild Card Round (48-32)

In typical Dallas Cowboys’ fashion, the season featured 12 victories and ended in the first round of the postseason. Dallas got off to a quick start with a 40-0 victory over the New York Giants on its way to a 4-2 record heading into an early bye week. Dallas would put together a five-game winning streak to improve to 10-3 before splitting four games down the stretch. In the postseason, the Green Bay Packers dominated a strong Dallas defense early and often on their way to a blowout victory.

2024 Dallas Cowboys Season Preview

Offense

Key Additions: RB Ezekiel Elliott, OT Tyler Guyton, OG Cooper Beebe

Key Losses: RB Tony Pollard, WR Michael Gallup, OT Tyron Smith, C Tyler Biadasz

The offseason was fun of contract negotiations for the Cowboys. Luckily, one major one is off the table as CeeDee Lamb agreed to a four-year extension worth $136 million. Now, Dan Prescott’s favorite target is back this season but the new question is, how long will Prescott be around?

The Cowboys are coming up on a decision with their quarterback and it is an interesting one. Prescott has put up big numbers but has been unable to lead the Cowboys to a championship — or even an NFC Championship Game. So now the quarterback remains a question mark for the future while Dallas looks to retool its offensive line.

The Cowboys have become known for their offensive line over the years but Zack Martin remains the longtime member after some key losses. Both Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz left in free agency and this sparked the front office to add through the draft. In the first round, Dallas added Tyler Guyton, who has a chance to be the replacement for Smith on the left side. Dallas also added Cooper Beebe, center from Kansas State, who could replace Biadasz.

The offensive line was the biggest question mark entering the offseason but behind Lamb, the pass catchers are not impressive. Brandin Cooks will come in as the WR2 within the offense and he was inconsistent in this role last year. Jake Ferguson mans the tight end position but is not a game-changing weapon that can create down the field. Also, the running game is interesting this year.

The Cowboys hoped to have Ezekiel Elliott’s replacement in Tony Pollard. He struggled as the premiere back and ended up going to Tennessee in free agency. This leaves Rico Dowdle as the workhorse heading into the season.

Defense

Key Additions: LB Eric Kendricks, DE Marshawn Kneeland

Key Losses: DE Dorance Armstrong, DE Dante Fowler, DT Johnathan Hankins, LB Leighton Vander Esch, CB Stephon Gilmore, S Jayvon Kearse

Dallas was a hard-nosed defense last season. The pass rush was as good as any in the league and this is what the Cowboys became known for. Dan Quinn took the Commanders’ head coaching position, which means the Cowboys will have a new system defensively.

Micah Parsons leads the defense. He has been one of the best players in the league since being selected in the first round. The edge rushers will be new as well since Dorance Armstrong followed Quinn to Washington. Second-round picks Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland will also step into extended roles.

On the interior, Dallas needed an upgrade but decided to stay put this offseason. This means both Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa will return to their positions. The linebackers needed an improvement as well and this led to Dallas adding Erick Kendricks in free agency. At 32 years old, Kendricks might have a few good years left in the middle of a defense.

The secondary took a major hit with DaRon Bland, who led the NFL in interceptions last season, going down for 6-8 weeks with a stress fracture. With Stephon Gilmore in Minnesota, this leaves holes ar corner next to Trevon Diggs. Slot corner Jourdan Lewis might have to be moved to the outside. The safety position remains in a good position with Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson.

Schedule

Week 1: at Cleveland Browns

Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 4: at New York Giants – Thursday Night Football

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers – Sunday Night Football

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 7: BYE WEEK

Week 8: at San Francisco 49ers – Sunday Night Football

Week 9: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 11: vs. Houston Texans – Monday Night Football

Week 12: at Washington Commanders

Week 13: vs. New York Giants

Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Monday Night Football

Week 15: at Carolina Panthers

Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Bucs – Sunday Night Football

Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 18: vs. Washington Commanders

Record Prediction: 11-6