The tales detailing who this NFL draft is about for the Cowboys have been throughout this newspaper for the previous couple of weeks. The story of what it’s about for the Cowboys is a less complicated one that’s one way or the other additionally extra difficult than you assume. It’s about staying forward of the Eagles.

You most likely know the fundamentals of the story already. No staff has gained the NFC East in consecutive years since Philadelphia gained 4 straight from 2001-2004. Since that point, the East has been excellent, producing three Tremendous Bowl champions in New York and Philadelphia, and nearly comically dangerous. Regardless, no champion has had the endurance to win the division in back-to-back years.

As you look again to final 12 months and recall that Dallas completed 12-5, three video games forward of the Eagles, you most likely discover consolation. Don’t get too cozy. For one factor, the 2004 Eagles gained the division by seven video games.

There was completely no signal that an Eagles staff that had gone 13-3 whereas all others completed 6-10 was in bother after 4 seasons on prime. It occurred. And issues have unraveled for winners ever since.

Earlier than even stepping into the roster and the Cowboys’ losses and the sorts of gamers this staff wants to seek out on the primary two nights of the draft, we should tackle one thing I’ve shunned for years. The schedule, or, relatively, the problem of the schedule has not been a typical theme in these columns. When the NFL expanded to 32 groups in 2002, the variety of video games on the schedule that had been primarily based on the earlier season’s end was lowered from 4 to 2. What had been an actual handicap for division winners was now extra like a slight slap on the wrist. And with the fluctuation of groups from 12 months to 12 months, it steadily meant nothing.

Within the NFL’s new 17-game world, three video games are decided by end. And I’d counsel that the Cowboys’ schedule — with out query — goes to be a lot harder than Philadelphia’s in 2022. It will take a dramatic run of accidents and dangerous luck for division champions to prove in any other case.

The Cowboys play Cincinnati the place Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase shaped the youngest quarterback-receiver duo in Tremendous Bowl historical past. The Eagles get Pittsburgh and Mitch Trubisky changing Ben Roethlisberger.

The Cowboys get the Rams, loading up with Bobby Wagner at linebacker and gunning for a repeat. The Eagles get Arizona with Kyler Murray scrubbing mentions of the Cardinals from his social media accounts whereas the staff’s greatest defender for years, Chandler Jones, is now a Raider.

The Cowboys get Tampa Bay the place Tom Brady reconsidered his retirement and needs yet another kick on the Tremendous Bowl can. The Eagles get New Orleans, the place Sean Payton is gone, Jameis Winston is again and the staff was compelled to shed greater than $70 million in payroll together with Professional Bowl deal with Terron Armstead (Miami) and security Marcus Williams (Baltimore).

That’s to not say Dallas loses all three of those video games whereas the Eagles are coasting, however it’s a substantial benefit to be taking part in Philadelphia’s schedule.

In the meantime the Eagles are just about nonetheless the Eagles from a 12 months in the past. They added linebacker Haason Reddick, who had an excellent 2021 season at Carolina, however they aren’t dramatically totally different but. Nonetheless they’re set to choose twice (15-18) earlier than Dallas makes its first choice (24) so the Eagles have a prepared alternative to shut in on the Cowboys Thursday night time.

Dallas bid farewell to vast receivers Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson, defensive finish Randy Gregory and beginning offensive linemen La’el Collins and Connor Williams. These should not devastating losses, however they’re hardly marginal, given Dallas’ willpower to hunt low cost or rookie replacements.

The membership’s means to land a large receiver, an offensive lineman and, I’d say, a cornerback within the first three rounds can go a great distance towards conserving Dallas simply above the tipping level in opposition to the Eagles. You may add defensive finish to this listing however I believe the chances that Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler symbolize alongside Micah Parsons’ unmatched versatility give the staff sufficient choices reverse DeMarcus Lawrence.

Yet one more factor to keep in mind when making this comparability. The Cowboys swept an Eagles staff that actually didn’t exist for probably the most half in 2021. Within the first assembly, Coach Nick Sirianni had not but found out that the operating recreation would save his season and make the Eagles a playoff staff. Operating backs bought three carries because the Cowboys move rush mauled Jalen Hurts. And within the finale, the Eagles rested nearly everybody to prepare for Tampa Bay.

The purpose is to watch out when three-game margins. The Cowboys gained the East going away in 2021. Meaning subsequent to nothing for the approaching season. With the schedule and free-agent losses having thrown two strikes in opposition to Dallas, the membership can’t afford to swing and miss with any of its prime picks Thursday and Friday night time.

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