Dallas Cowboys: Only one thing missing from this team

After the Dallas Cowboys’ third preseason game, there is really only one thing missing from the Cowboys being the Super Bowl favorites.

With all of the talk about the Ezekiel Elliott suspension, it is looking like Rod Smith, Alfred Morris, and Darren McFadden should be able to carry the load for a little while. The offense looks like it will be one of the best, if not the best, in the NFL. The offensive line, even with the issues at left guard, still looks better than any other line. And, well, Dez Bryant, is looking like Dez Bryant.

There is going to be a ton about Cooper Rush versus Kellen Moore for the backup quarterback position. Right now, Rush will, at the minimum, be on the practice squad, but another two weeks of the way he has played, I would find it hard to think the Cowboys will risk letting him hit waivers. They could keep three quarterbacks, or Rush could push Moore out. We will let everyone else talk about that for now…

On the other side of the ball, Jaylon Smith had a very encouraging first game back from injury. He didn’t do anything that made your jaw drop, but he flew around the field and made a few smart and strong plays.

With Smith and Sean Lee on the field at the same time, and the depth the Dallas Cowboys have at linebacker, it could be one of the strengths of this team. I even am starting to think, top to bottom, the Cowboys have the deepest linebacking corps in the league at this point.

The run defense has looked strong and if there is one thing the entire defense is great at, it is laying hits on ball carriers. The secondary is looking okay, I say only okay because Orlando Scandrick has looked amazing, but there are a lot of players out due to small injuries. The pass defense has looked shaky at times, but at others looks like it could be serviceable. However, there is still one nagging thing on defense that is missing.

The Missing Piece

The pass rush has been less than stellar, let’s be honest. Sure, it looks like Taco Charlton is starting to catch up to the NFL speed and strengthen a little. However, with the looming suspensions and talent on the line, the questions as to how many sacks will they can get is a valid one.

I expect Rod Marinelli to get creative on his pass rush, Orlando Scandrick, the linebackers, safeties, basically bringing other players.

Realistically, the Dallas Cowboys can’t bring extra players every down, so the pass rush has to be harvested from the front four on a consistent basis.

The lack of a consistent and strong pass rush has been the Achilles heel of the Dallas Cowboys for a few seasons now. Many have pointed to the secondary, but I think we are still seeing that without a pass rush, it doesn’t matter who you have behind it.

What we don’t know is how the secondary will look since a lot of projected starters and depth players are injured and haven’t played. But, we can assume even if they are a little better than last season, they will still need the pass rush to be stronger.

Next: Why the Cowboys running game will be fine without Zeke

There really is only one thing preventing the Dallas Cowboys from being the favorites to win the Super Bowl: the pass rush. The way the offense is looking, the Dallas Cowboys should be able to win shootouts, but you don’t want every game to be one. Now we wait and see what the what the secondary will be. But the pass rush has to be better. Come on Rod Marinelli, get working on it!

Home/Dallas Cowboys