The have some issues with their offensive line, but . However, not everybody has bought in. But and the Cowboys’ defense will stick it to detractors in Week 1 and finish top-10 in 2026.
With Tyler Smith headed to IR for at least a month, the Cowboys will have to juggle their offensive line. But that won’t be a problem for this juggernaut offense. The Cowboys will still score plenty of points.
The question has been all offseason: What will the defense do?
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Cowboys’ defense primed to have a big year
It’s not a matter of trying to be middle of the pack. The Cowboys are aiming higher. And they should. They have talented players all over the revamped unit. And new coordinator Christian Parker is the right choice to get them in the right positions to make plays.One of the main reasons the Cowboys will be good is Downs. He’s going to be a stud, beginning in Week 1. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will undoubtedly serve Downs an interception.
But it for the Cowboys with Quinnen Williams, according to The Athletic.
“This is a well-coached, well-built team with elite talent at multiple premium positions — most specifically: quarterback, receiver, and defensive tackle (I would count Quinnen Williams as the rare example of an interior defensive lineman in the “premium position” category),” Jourdan Rodrigue wrote.
“Defensively, the vision to significantly raise the floor is clear despite remaining questions about personnel. One of the best qualities a Super Bowl contender has is that it knows what it is, and knows what it is not (and can adjust to mask that). I don’t yet know whether Dallas is a Super Bowl contender, but for once, it has this quality.”
Yes, the talent is there.
“While the offense has all the makings of a top-three unit, at least — Dak Prescott isn’t thinking top three, he’s thinking No. 1 — it’s the other side of the ball that offers real opportunity,” Zak Keefer wrote. “Jerry and Stephen Jones were so impressed with Christian Parker in the interview process that they broke out of their comfort zone and hired a first-time coordinator. For years, without exception, Dallas recycled former head coaches for that role.
“With some much-needed additions, starting with first-round pick Caleb Downs, this unit should be far more respectable this season. Paired with an elite offense, that could translate into three or four more wins.”
Downs is going to make a lot of NFL general managers look silly. Here is the list of teams: Jets, Cardinals, Giants, Chiefs, Commanders (especially the Commanders), and Saints.
All of those teams passed on Downs. None of them should have. No matter the makeup of their team. And the Commanders likely made the biggest gaffe of all. They needed Downs. But they chose linebacker Sonny Styles. We’ve already seen in the preseason how it looks like a bad decision. It will likely end with Dan Quinn seeking employment elsewhere.
But it’s the Cowboys’ gain. And Downs is going to cut loose.
The Cowboys do have a few things that need to fall into place. They need DeMarvion Overshown to stay healthy. They need Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku to rush the passer effectively. Or they need Malachi Lawrence to excel as a rookie. Or perhaps Von Miller can turn back the clock and give them enough snaps on the edge.
It’s a tough road ahead for teams that play the Cowboys. It’s going to be tough to score 20-24 points against this defense. Good luck trying to keep the Cowboys from getting 28 or more.
Wins are the main thing. And the Cowboys will get those. It will likely start with a brutal beatdown of the Giants. Sure, the Cowboys may have some Week 1 hiccups with Parker getting his feet wet. But it shouldn’t impact the bottom line.
“If the Cowboys are going to reach their goals, Parker has to be to Dallas what Steve Spagnuolo was to the 2007 New York Giants,” Jonathan Jones wrote. “It’s been done before, and it will be done again. The hype around Christian Parker is real. Philadelphia knew it would lose him and still hated to see him leave.
“The Cowboys immediately involved him in free agency and draft prep. As much as you can invest in a 34-year-old stranger from a division rival to turn around your defense, Dallas has.”
The defense is here. The Super Bowl hopes are real.
Cowboys’ offense is full of confidence
It’s true that the defense doesn’t have to stand out for the team to win games. That’s because the offense believes it can score on any possession. The right pieces are in place, according to The Athletic.“I mean it’s definitely different,” said Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. “I’m optimistic going into every season kind of with that mindset. It’s an NFL season. Positive vibes and good energy doesn’t win you games. So, understanding that we’ve put ourselves in a great position. We put ourselves right where we need to be to go and give ourselves the best chance to have a great week of practice and win Week 1 up there in New York.
“Right now, the energy and everything is great, but we got to make sure we’re doing everything to be accountable to each other and just continue on that trajectory. We’ve got to go do it. We’ve got to go win games.”
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