Dallas Cowboys: 3 reasons why the Cowboys will have a winning season

Depending on which sports network you watch, the Dallas Cowboys are either doomed to have another losing season, produce another pathetic defense, or barely win the NFC East. Those are the hot takes when it comes to predicting the Cowboys upcoming season.

Besides a few objective journalists, most of the talking heads are predicting the Cowboys to have a losing record. And if they do, that means that the Cowboys would have missed the playoffs four out of the past five seasons. My Gawd!

The Dallas Cowboys have all of the tools to have a winning season

Since these talking heads are probably saying these “hot takes” for ratings, I’ll give you three reasons why the Cowboys will have a winning season and then some.

Ready? Let’s talk about it.

Reason No.1: Strength of schedule

Dallas will play only three teams with a winning record from the previous season. Dallas’ opponents for this season have accumulated a .452 winning percentage for a strength of schedule that ranks a lowly 31. Only the buzzards (known as the Philadelphia Eagles) have an easier strength of schedule at 32.

S.O.S. Strength of Schedule: Dallas has the 31st easiest schedule in the NFL

As it currently stands, Dallas’ toughest opponents are the defending Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints. Out of those three teams, Dallas can certainly beat the Jameis Winston-led Saints, so that’s one tough opponent out of the way.

After those three opponents, Dallas can literally beat any team on their remaining schedule. Outside of the aforementioned teams, Dallas plays a favorable schedule (no particular order) against the likes of the Carolina Panthers (a mediocre Sam Darnold), Minnesota Vikings (the beatable Kirk Cousins), San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons (no Julio Jones), New England Patriots (no longer a dynasty), Denver Broncos (inconsistent quarterback), and Las Vegas Raiders (with an overrated coach).

With the return of a healthy Dak Prescott and new defensive coordinator/scheme, Dallas could go undefeated against all of those non-playoff teams, or do no worse than 6-2. That’s not wishful thinking at all, but it’s more of an objective and realistic view of those particular opponents.

Yep, I calculated Dallas’ defense improving to at least middle of the pack!

As a result, Dallas wins those six games, they beat the Saints, and win four division games, that’s 11 total wins that either wins the NFC East or they make the playoffs as a wildcard. And anything is possible once the tournament starts.

Reason No. 2: A healthy offensive line

For the first time in a long time, All Pro left tackle Tyron Smith said he feels healthy and fresh-and ready to play a full season. That’s good news because Smith will be joined by fellow offensive lineman, Zach Martin and La’el Collins. Add center Tyler Biadasz and guard Connor Williams, and Dallas’ returns its star-studded offensive line- one of the best in the league.

With their offensive line fully intact, that means Ezekiel Elliott can return to form as one of the best runners in the league, opposing defenses can no longer stack the box without consequences, and Dak will be protected to the maximum extent. To be blunt, a talented, defensive front like the Washington Football Team will no longer have the opportunity to feast on a patched-up, Junior Pee-Wee offensive line like it did  last season.

Dallas’ offensive line is the foundational bloodline for this team to be successful. Everything starts and ends with its offensive front. From protecting Dak to opening holes for Zeke to sustaining game-winning drives, Dallas’ offensive line is this team’s oxygen. Period.

So explain to me how an All Pro offensive line does not equate to increase wins? Especially when the leader of your team is back!

Reason No. 3: The return of Dak

The main reason and- most important- reason Dallas will have a winning season is because Dak will be back under center at full strength. The highest paid signal caller in the NFL will pick up where he left off and torment NFC and AFC foes alike.

Trust me, Dak is out to prove his doubters wrong and bring this team beyond the second round of the playoffs.

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Everyone knows Dallas would’ve won the NFC East last season if not for Dak’s season-ending injury. Dak is clearly the best quarterback in his division and it’s not even close. Further, Dak has proven that he can put the team on its back and lead them to victory (He proved that in the first five games of the season with the worst defense in the league.)

Dak is the field general and this team follows his lead.

Each and every year Dak has gotten better with his passes, reads, deep ball throws, timing, accuracy, and decision making. Dak was on pace to obliterate the NFL’s all time passing record while setting other records along the way. Statistically speaking, Dak is a top-5 quarterback, and at least top-7.

Imagine what Dak can do with a healthy offensive line, the best wide receiving corps in the league, a new defensive coordinator, and playing against the second easiest schedule in the league.

Put all of those positives together and you have more than three reasons why the Dallas Cowboys will have a winning season. And that’s been factually objective, too! BOOM!