Will the Dallas Cowboys find playoff gold next season?
By Chinmay Kulkarni
”˜The Dallas Cowboys are the most overrated team in NFL history ”“ that’s a statement from a Cowboys fan. The magic of “America’s team” has slowly faded away in previous memory. It’s insanity to think that performing the same thing over and over again would ever yield different results, but since the turn of the 21st century, the Cowboys have floundered mightily in the playoffs. As nearly every NFL-fan and Cowboys hater has memorized, previous Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has two playoff wins in his career, followed by Dak’s one playoff win against the Seahawks in the 2018 playoffs. I will say that Romo was a first-class QB and one of the best-undrafted gems of all time. Nonetheless, Dallas has failed to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs since 1995, the year they won the Superbowl. Many younger fans like me don’t even have memories of their post-season success, and it’s something of a wild card that TV personalities have used to express disdain over the overhyped “franchise”.
However, it’s not worth dwelling on the past. We all should take a long look in the mirror to figure out what needs to be done. Though the kneejerk reaction is to fire everyone, surprisingly, the fish doesn’t stink from the top down. The Dallas play-calling has been abhorrent, playing the wrong plays at the wrong time, and culminating in the QB sneak on 4th down at the end of their playoff loss to the Niners.
It’s no doubt that Kellen Moore has built an offense with the best weapons in the league ”“ 2nd best passing offense, 9th best running offense, best offense by total yards ”“ the accolades don’t stop on the scoring side of the ball. Jones also really deserves credit for adding figures like Ceedee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and retaining Tyron Smith in the past few years. Unfortunately, these players and awards are meaningless without discipline, being the single most penalized team in the NFL and ceding the most penalty yards per game. Does this team not have the hunger, does this team have a bad coaching staff, are they drafting amazing prospects with a disregard for the intricacies of the game ”“ these are questions that the front office must ask.
A surprising bright spot for the Cowboys has been the defense. Atlanta outcast Dan Quinn has managed to convert a weak defensive unit into one of the best in the league, having the most takeaways of any unit on the season. CB Trevon Siggs and LB Micah Parsons have been elite figures and they could very well wind up as Hall of Fame talents. Parsons has been so impressive that he’s garnered comparisons to Lawrence Taylor. Meanwhile, CB Trevon Diggs was an interception machine, despite being burnt toast a lot of the time. The Boys defense was a fine complement to Prescott and they led the league in turnovers for good reason. But, will it be enough to help the NFC East champions conquer pedestrian QBs in playoff seasons ahead?
The biggest question on defense rests with edge rusher Demarcus Lawrence, who is a $19 million dollar question mark. The fact is that they need him to stay and he might know it, too. Lawrence was a fierce run-stopper, sack machine, and a defensive touchdown highlight reel when he was healthy. The Cowboys could look to move Amari Cooper and make sure they can afford Lawrence. If Cooper leaves, they might be able to obtain Tank Lawrence and soon to be free agent WR Michael Gallup.
The coaching faces in Dallas could have a reshuffle. Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore are already interviewing with other teams for head coaching opportunities. Moore is a hot commodity and every team wants an OC that can put up 5,000 passing yards with a QB. But, Kellen Moore could even stay in Dallas in the near future. Mike McCarthy could feel the ole heat Jason Garrett received if he loses another playoff game. With some of the best weapons in the league on both sides of the ball, which young coach in the NFL wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to coach in Dallas?
All in all, It’s predictable that the Cowboys will make the playoffs next year. The question is, what will happen after that?
