Dallas Cowboys Goal No. 1: Avoid an 0-2 start to the season

After losing key players on both sides of the ball, the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2022 season with three known facts:

1. the offense will be without three of their top wide receivers from the previous season,
2. they are expecting a group of rookies/veteran wideouts to play at an elite level,
3. and the Cowboys are relying on a patched up offensive line that will be more unpredictable than climate change.

The only positive that can temporarily soften those negatives is the Cowboys 2022 schedule. Based on its opponents’ winning percentage, the Cowboys have the easiest schedule in the league this season.

That’s interesting because the Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East last season and play a first-place schedule. The Cowboys will play six playoff teams from last season; however, the total winning percentage of the Cowboys’ opponents is a surprising 0.462.

Even though the Dallas Cowboys have the easiest schedule entering the 2022 season, the Cowboys can ill afford to start 0-2

Despite having the easiest schedule on paper, the NFL did Dallas no favors with them opening up the season against two of the best teams from last season, the Bucs and the Bengals. Tom Brady is still angry from being ousted from the playoffs by the defending Super Bowl champions, Los Angeles Rams, and rising star quarterback, Joe Burrow, is out to prove to the league he’s truly the real deal and not a one-hit wonder.

This offense is in the hands of Coach Big Mac and Moore’s hands, it goes as the play calling goes. All Dallas’ offense needs to do is score enough points to help out its rising and much improved defense and a 2-0 start is realistically obtainable.

Combine all of the unknowns on the offensive side of the ball-particularly the offensive line- and it’s easy to see why Dallas will more than likely be the underdogs in both contests. Although that may be the case, starting the season 0-2 is not an option at all. Dallas must avoid that pitfall like a fringe free agent fighting for a roster spot.

Head coach Mike McCarthy, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn must put this team in position to win both games immediately. Period. This is not the time to fall behind by three touchdowns early in each game and then decide to let Dak Prescott rip it. They have to take control early.

In other words, Dallas has to come out with a masterful game plan to win these first two games – especially against the Bucs, a team that has the same offensive line woes as Dallas.

Losing the first two games not only puts Dallas in hole but will more than likely puts them behind two games behind their evil nemesis, the Philadelphia Eagles. The one positive is that Dallas goes into these first two games with ample time to fix its left tackle position and any other kinks on the offensive line. No excuses.

The one thing Dallas offense must avoid is committing to an outdated running game, a scheme that Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones wants so desperately to implement for this team. Feeding Ezekiel Elliott the ball 30 plus times will not equal wins, if anything, it handicaps the offense and falls right into the hands of opposing defenses.

Basically, it’s easier for defenses to stop the run than a lethal passing attack. Statistics have proven time and time again passing the ball gives team a better chance at scoring and increases chances of winning the game.

sidenote: Hopefully, rookie Tyler Smith can at least be decent and become the eventual heir apparent to future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith.

Naturally, the cards are stacked against Dallas in these firs two games because:

• nobody knows how CeeDee Lamb will handle being WR1?
• Will rookie wideout Jalen Tolbert step up as WR2?
• Will the offensive line hold up long enough to protect Dak?

Those aforementioned questions are legitimate ones by critics and the fan base alike. I’m in the minority in believing Dallas’ wide receiving corps will be fine with Lamb and the supporting cast of receivers will be able to beat man coverage and keep the passing attack afloat.

It’s not wishful thinking. These receivers had way too many positives in training camp/ preseason for me to think they were a lackluster group of wideouts. The tape does not lie, baby.

I have to go with what I’ve seen in games and the fact the coaching staff likes them enough to be major contributors.

For the first time in forever, Dallas has a defense capable of going toe-to-toe with a good offense and stopping them and coming away with a few turnovers to boot. Dallas’ defense will be the linchpin in helping Dallas avoid that painful 0-2 start because it finally has the players on all three levels of defense to make it happen.

Another reason why Dallas must avoid losing its first two games is because they play the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Eagles in the following weeks. You can think whatever about the lowly Giants and sorry Commanders, but those two archrivals are going to give Dallas all they got, and those two games in particular will be tough just on familiarly.

Yes, I’m predicting Dallas to win both games against the Giants and Commanders.

Then Dallas faces Aaron Donald and the Rams, with the pesky Eagles closing out the first six games of the 2022 season. Those first six games will challenge this Dallas team in so many ways it can only make them better or worst.

In conclusion,

With Dallas facing three divisional foes in the first six weeks of NFL action, playing the defending Super Bowl champions, facing a Tom Brady-led team they have never beaten, and a Super Bowl-contending Bengals team, you can understand why Dallas must avoid an 0-2 start.

The best way for Dallas to avoid an unlucky 0-2 start is to be creative as possible on offense with Dak passing more than running the ball. Dallas has the playmakers to keep defenses honest, and Dallas has a franchise quarterback that knows how to win games with the right play calling.

Besides Lamb being an obviously play maker, Dallas has the luxury of using the versatility of running back Tony Pollard and return specialist KaVontae Turpin on offense. Having these dynamic player makers on the field at the same time should happen often and would give Dallas’ offense an edge to some degree. Definitely on special teams!

This offense is in the hands of Coach Big Mac and Moore’s hands, it goes as the play calling goes. All Dallas’ offense needs to do is score enough points to help out its rising and much improved defense and a 2-0 start is realistically obtainable.

If not and it is an 0-2 start, Sean Payton is on standby.

Leave your comments below