Cowboys are going to regress in 2017
Every year, we see a team or two rise from the ashes in the National Football League, surprising everyone to make a run toward the playoffs. Last year, the Dallas Cowboys were that team, going 13-3 and winning the NFC East with the best record in the conference, led by rookies Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott.
Dallas fans are hoping for a repeat in the regular season followed by the first Super Bowl appearance for the Cowboys since 1995. They should not hold their breath.
Head coach Jason Garrett has a good team, but a team with plenty to be concerned about heading into 2017. Dallas played the easiest schedule in the NFL last year, but this season is loaded with tough opponents. This time around, the Cowboys face the New York Giants twice along with the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks. In fact, the only NFC playoff team from a year ago they don’t see is the Detroit Lions. In the AFC, Dallas draws the AFC West, which had both the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders in the postseason with 12-4 marks. There is also a Week 2 visit to Denver to take on the Broncos.
On the field, there are a bevy of challenges laying ahead. There has been talk throughout the summer of a possible suspension for Elliott, who the league has been investigating for some time. Elliott could end up walking away without punishment, or be out a substantial length.
Regardless of Elliott’s status, the Cowboys have other pressing issues. Defensive end David Irving led the team in sacks last year and has already been suspended for four games due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. Damontre’ Moore, another defensive end, is out for the first two games for the same violation. Outside linebacker Randy Gregory has been banned for the entire year for a third violation of the same policy.
Then there was Tyrone Crawford’s ankle injury on Tuesday night. Crawford was trying to chase down Elliott in practice when the All-Pro running back accidentally stepped on his ankle, causing the defensive end to go down in severe pain. Crawford, who left practice on a cart in tears, is Dallas’ best defensive lineman. The extent of the injury is not known yet. Middle linebacker Sean Lee talked about his teammate, per ESPN:
“When you have a guy like that, not only is he a great football player, but he’s a leader and there’s a void there and you are going to need somebody to step up,” linebacker Sean Lee said. “The sense of urgency for everybody has to go through roof right now … If there’s a way to come back, he’ll find a way.”
All told, the Cowboys are incredibly thin at defensive end and have uncertainty in the offensive backfield. Combined with a much tougher schedule and huge expectations, don’t expect Dallas to thrive in the same capacity as last year.
