2010 NFL Predictions: Dallas Cowboys

July 7, 2010

It’s rare that you can say that the Dallas Cowboys went under the radar, but they did in 2009. Despite taking the NFC East title last season, the Cowboys weren’t talked about much in terms of winning the Super Bowl. New Orleans, Indianapolis, San Diego and Minnesota received most of the hype heading into the playoffs. It was rightfully so as Dallas lost in humiliating fashion to the Vikings in the Divisional round of the playoffs. The 34-3 score was indicative of how inefficient the Cowboys offense was in the red zone all season.

Surprisingly, the Cowboys ended the season as perhaps the most well balanced offense in all of football. They were 2nd in total offense as they averaged just under 400 yards per game in the regular season. Tony Romo had a tremendous year that wasn’t talked about due to the stats being put up by Drew Brees and Matt Schaub. Romo finished the year with 4483 yards passing and 26 touchdowns. The most important number for Romo in 2009 was the 9 interceptions he threw. This is well below his season average, and will be important to replicate in 2010 if the Cowboys look to win the NFC East again.

Dallas has a two-headed monster at running back. Marion Barber has carried most of the load over the last few seasons, but has lost quite a few snaps to the explosive and dynamic Felix Jones. Jones has tremendous burst and breakaway speed. Together they are a force as they have power and speed. They combined for 1617 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. It’s very possible that they will both improve on their numbers in 2010.

Many football picks have the Cowboys winning the NFC East again this season. The reason may be the increase in depth at the wide receiver position. The Cowboys were fortunate to get a tremendous season out of new number 1 receiver Miles Austin. Austin put up Pro-Bowl caliber numbers in just his 2nd season in the league. He didn’t play for much of the first 3 games of the season and still ended up 3rd in the NFL in receiving yards, and tied for 3rd for receiving touchdowns. He is unquestionably a force, and will be a perennial top 10 receiver barring injury. He will get some help this year as Dallas used their first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to pick up highly touted Dez Bryant. Bryant is expected to contribute immediately. He will need to as the rest of the Dallas receiving squad was absent for most of last season.

Defensively the Cowboys are right where they need to be. They finished the 2009 year ranked 9th in total defense ahead of all the other teams in their division. That says a lot as Washington, New York and Philadelphia ranked amongst the league leaders year after year. After taking Bryant with their first pick, Dallas used 4 of their last 5 selections to get stronger on defense. They took LB Sean Lee, CB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB Jamar Wall and DT Sean Lissemore to bring youth to an aging defense.

This may be the year for the Cowboys. The Giants are in bad shape defensively, the Eagles are without Donovan McNabb and the Skins are always a disappointment. The one glaring problem with the upcoming season for Dallas is their schedule. They have a brutally tough schedule, and will face Houston, Minnesota, Green Bay and the reigning Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints in their out of division games. If they can get through those games with a 2-2 record they may have a chance at an 11 or 12 win season. They spotlight should be off the Cowboys for most of the first half of the year. Let’s see what they can do when their under the radar!

Written by Glenn Andrew · Filed Under NFL

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