What Will Make 2022 Season A Success For Cowboys?

After profitable the NFC East with a robust common season displaying in 2021, the Dallas Cowboys skilled one other untimely playoff exit within the wild-card spherical. Their loss to the San Francisco 49ers prolonged Dallas’ hiatus from an look within the convention championship to 30 years. That’s why success within the 2022 season means not solely one other divisional championship however an NFC—if not Tremendous Bowl—title.

For Dallas, it begins with their offense, which was among the many finest within the NFL final season. They led the league in scoring and offensive yards in 2021, together with 4,800 passing yards that had been second solely to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Quarterback Dak Prescott re-introduced himself in a giant method after lacking most of 2020 with an ankle damage, tying Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers for fourth in passing touchdowns with 37. He additionally completed seventh in passing yards (4,449) and third in passer ranking (104.2) behind solely Joe Burrow and Rodgers, the 2021 MVP. He was helped alongside by sturdy receiving performances by CeeDee Lamb in his second yr, Amari Cooper persevering with his dominance in yr three with Dallas, and a breakout season from tight finish Dalton Schultz.

On the identical time, Dallas was getting some sturdy performances from their operating backs. Ezekiel Elliott, although nonetheless not wanting as explosive as he as soon as did, accomplished the fourth 1,000-yard season of his profession whereas averaging 4.2 yards per carry. In the meantime, third-year operating again Tony Pollard did a lot to solidify himself as an vital a part of the offense in his personal proper. He confirmed off his explosiveness as a runner in addition to his talents as a pass-catcher to complete with 1,056 all-purpose yards.

Although Cooper departed this offseason together with fellow receiver Cedrick Wilson, the Cowboys have held onto most of their impression gamers on the offensive facet of the ball. Receiver Michael Gallup might be again and wholesome on a brand new contract, Lamb can construct off of his first Professional Bowl season and Pollard can see his function enhance after a robust 2021.

As nice because the Cowboys’ offense was in 2021, their protection had a lot to be enthusiastic about as nicely. Only a yr after having one of many worst scoring defenses within the NFL, Dallas improved considerably. Their scoring protection completed within the prime 10, and the defensive unit totaled 34 takeaways as a complete, good for many within the league.

A giant a part of the improved protection will be chalked as much as a few stellar seasons from second-year cornerback Trevon Diggs and rookie linebacker Micah Parsons. Diggs led the NFL together with his 11 picks in 2021, returning two of them for touchdowns to earn himself a Professional Bowl nod and first-team All-Professional honors.

Parsons, in the meantime, was an absolute revelation for the Cowboys. Their first-round choose within the 2021 NFL Draft was a monster in his rookie yr, tallying 13 sacks, three go defenses, and three compelled fumbles. Not solely did he run away with a unanimous Defensive Rookie of the 12 months award, however Parsons additionally completed second in voting for Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

That’s all with out mentioning the additions the Cowboys made within the offseason. They drafted offensive lineman Tyler Smith to (presumably) be their beginning left guard and presumably future left deal with. Dallas additionally drafted edge rusher Sam Williams as an addition to their pass-rush rotation alongside free-agent signing Dante Fowler within the wake of Randy Gregory’s departure. They acquired linebacker Damone Clark as a steal within the fifth spherical.

There’s no query that the Cowboys are in an incredible place to no less than make the playoffs if not repeat as champions of the NFC East. The Philadelphia Eagles made some large enhancements this offseason and the Washington Commanders might make some noise, however Dallas already had a robust roster and made strikes of their very own.

The query that continues to be is whether or not it’s ok to safe a convention title. The NFC is comparatively weak, particularly in comparison with the AFC, however the Cowboys have persistently struggled as soon as the postseason begins. They’ll have to lastly recover from these struggles this season to think about 2022 successful. Something wanting a convention title could be disappointing with a roster as sturdy as theirs.