Cowboys Predicted to Finish on Top of NFC East Despite Eagles Tie

Another prediction has the Cowboys winning the NFC East, but they need a tiebreaker for that to happen.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer reacts during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Hopes are high for the Dallas Cowboys following a busy offseason. The Cowboys were one of the worst defenses in the NFL a year ago and Jerry Jones vowed to get that fixed.

Jones backed up his words with actions as Dallas hired new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and then tweaked the roster to fit Parker’s vision.

We have yet to see the new-look defense in a regular season game but the early buzz during training camp has been very positive. That includes an impressive joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams where the Dallas defense made its fair share of plays against an explosive offense.

The potential is clearly there on defense and even if it takes them time to find their rhythm, they should be vastly improved on that side of the ball. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton has the Cowboys going 10-7 in his latest prediction, which has them tied for first place in the NFC East.

”The Cowboys hired a new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker. Dallas acquired edge-rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers and drafted versatile defensive back Caleb Downs along with edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round,” Moton wrote.

“Cornerback Cobie Durant, a free-agent acquisition, is an underrated signing. If linebacker DeMarvion Overshown stays healthy, the Cowboys' defense will be one of the most improved units from the previous campaign.”

Moton adds that the help from the defense is all Dak Prescott and the talented Dallas offense need to take the division away from the Eagles.

Cowboys can’t afford to look past the Eagles

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott runs with the ball in attempt to score a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Eagles are the defending champs and have star players such as Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith returning. While that will help, they have a new play-caller on offense in Sean Mannion. Moton believes it will take time for him to get things figured out on offense, especially now that they don’t have A.J. Brown at wide receiver following an offseason trade.

It’s easy to think the loss of Brown will be devastating for the offense, but that might not be the case. Brown hasn’t been happy in the Philly offense for a couple of years now and his frustrations have often been a distraction.

It might take a few weeks for rookie Makai Lemon to truly hit his stride, but the culture could be improved in Philadelphia. That’s why looking past the Eagles, even with so many predictions favoring the Cowboys, would be a huge mistake.

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