5 Dallas Cowboys “Hot Takes” for the 2022 season

Take 4: The Dallas Cowboys will be in a fight to make the playoffs.

It has been a very long time since a team won the NFC East in back-to-back years and this year could be another possible extension. The Philadelphia Eagles look to have gotten better on paper and if Jalen Hurts can take a solid step forward the Eagles could push for the top spot. Even if that happens the Cowboys should be in the mix for a wild card spot, so either way, this team will be pushed late in the season to earn a playoff spot.

With so many unknowns on this team and a desire to run more and control the clock, it could keep teams in games longer. The questions along the offensive line could rear their head and cause the Cowboys to lose a game or two they shouldn’t lose. I think they make the playoffs, but it could be closer than everyone wants it to be. The defense will be a key all season and could help to not make this prediction happen.

Take No 5: The Dallas Cowboys’ defense will be top five.

This may not seem like a huge bold prediction, but I think it will be more than just “scoring defense”, but a full picture. They should create plenty of turnovers, but more so they should be able to contain big plays which will help quite a bit. There are some questions still looming about run defense and pass rush, but with Dan Quinn adjusting throughout the season they should be able to get a viable pass rush (even if it may not be consistent) and look to be at least better against the run than the end of last year.

As long as injuries don’t take out the cornerbacks, the secondary should be really solid. While the 1-tech defensive tackle is still a bit of a mystery overall, it appears some of the veteran players did add size to help against the run. It should fit all together during the season and the defense will win games the Cowboys shouldn’t win, which is what every team wants their defense to be.

One for the road.

I know, I know, I said there would be five bold predictions, but I had to include a quick one for fun. Kavontae Turpin will have at least two kickoff returns and two punt returns for a touchdown this year. He has the speed and agility to break one at any time and as long as his frame holds up to a season of punishment he could be one of the more exciting parts of the team.

There are some more outlandish ones that we could have put up here like Parsons and the sack record or Lamb and the receiving record for the Cowboys, but I wanted to be a little more in the realm of not so out there. While any and all are possible, we went with just five (well six with the bonus Turpin mention). Now we wait until Sunday to see how it all plays out.