Dallas Cowboys: Realistic Expectations in 2016
With Tony Romo being out and the Dallas Cowboys starting Dak Prescott, what are the realistic expectations of the Cowboys in 2016?
The Dallas Cowboys took a huge hit this last preseason game with Tony Romo getting injured again. Luckily, it looks like he should be back this season. While there is a lot of confidence in Dak Prescott, there needs to be a realistic look at what this means for the Cowboys’ season.
First, as Reid Hanson wrote up, ready or not, Dak Prescott will be the Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback in week one. While there is certainly some good to watch with Dak Prescott, we all need to slow down a little bit on how effective he is. He is still a rookie fourth round quarterback.
Let’s all not forget that in preseason the defenses are fairly vanilla and the backups are not often playing a full starter roster. While Dak has some impressive numbers this preseason, he has underthrown and overthrown some balls. Rarely, does a fourth round draft pick ever come in and tear the league up in his first season.
One thing the Dallas Cowboys can smile about is what looks like a very strong running game. With Ezekiel Elliot and Alfred Morris leading the way, the offense should be better off than last season when Romo was out of the lineup. The Cowboys will most likely rely on the run more than expected. Which is to say quite a bit.
More from Dallas Cowboys
- Why the Dallas Cowboys wisely decided against signing Dalvin Cook
- West coast, Texas coast, burnt toast: Cowboys don’t need more runs
- Brandin Cooks will change the way defenses play the Dallas Cowboys
- Why the Dallas Cowboys defensive X-Factor is EDGE Sam Williams
- Dallas Cowboys: 3 head coach options if McCarthy fails in 2023
Realistically, the defense should hover somewhere around the middle of the league. The secondary doesn’t look horrible, but without a viable pass rush, the offense will still have to find a way to carry this team. It isn’t far-fetched to think the Cowboys will need to be at the top of the league in points per game.
If the Dallas Cowboys want to make the playoffs and give themselves a shot, they will have to find ways to win games. The NFC East looks weak, but it looked weak last season as well. It will be up to Jason Garrett and Rod Marinelli to find ways to win games. If they can do this, they can head into the postseason feeling stronger and confident.
Related Story: Rod Marinelli can only do so much
All of this, however, is looking realistically at the Cowboys. Right now they are probably an eight win team at best. Sure, they can win ten or eleven games, but they can also win five or six. Without Romo your guess is as good as mine. It will come down to being a little better than last season without Romo.
No matter what you think about Romo, Dak Prescott isn’t at his level just yet. He hasn’t seen the same things Romo has and he hasn’t faced real defenses yet. Most importantly, he hasn’t played a meaningful game yet. While we all hope Dak can be good, really the Cowboys just need him to be better than Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel were last season.
If the Cowboys can find a way to keep the running game grinding and keep the defense off the field, the Cowboys are still the favorites of the NFC East. If Prescott can’t keep the chains moving and the defense is left on the field for long periods, it could be a repeat of last season.
Now it is time for the coaching staff to get prepared for half a season without Tony Romo. At least this season they have some time to adjust for this. Best guess is the Cowboys win about nine games (give or take one) and eek into the playoffs. The schedule is fairly easy early in the season which should help Prescott gain experience and some wins in the process.
Next: Dallas Cowboys: Is The Tony Romo Era Effectively Over?
Realistically, it is where the Cowboys are at. Another season with an injured Tony Romo. This time they have time to prepare. Let’s all hope the additions on offense and the small moves on defense can make up the slack.