DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10)
Expectations
It's tough to tell which direction the Dallas Cowboys are headed under first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer after the five-year run with Mike McCarthy ended with a losing record that stopped a three-season streak of 12-win playoff teams. The Cowboys traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay after an offseason full of contract drama. The deal came a week before Dallas opens the NFL season in prime time on a Thursday night at defending champion and NFC East rival Philadelphia. Quarterback Dak Prescott is back after missing half of last season with a torn hamstring that required surgery. Receiver CeeDee Lamb had a full offseason after missing everything a year ago in a contract squabble similar to what led to Parsons' departure this year. If Prescott can find the form of the MVP runner-up in 2023, Schottenheimer might have a chance to shine in his debut after a quarter-century as an NFL assistant. But the Parsons trade could mean that debut is a big dud.
New faces
WR George Pickens, G Tyler Booker, QB Joe Milton, RB Miles Sanders, RB Javonte Williams, DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, LB Jack Sanborn, CB Kaiir Elam.
Key losses
Parsons, CB Jourdan Lewis, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, RB Rico Dowdle, LB Eric Kendricks, QB Cooper Rush, WR Brandin Cooks.
Strengths
Prescott's health and the addition of Pickens in a trade give the Cowboys a chance to get their passing game back to where it was two years ago, when Prescott had a career-high 36 touchdown passes. With Parsons, the pass rush had a chance to be a strength with Sam Williams back after missing all of last season with a knee injury, Marshawn Kneeland showing promise as a rookie before an injury a year ago and Ezeiruaku getting solid reviews in his first camp. Without Parsons, the pass rush might not be a weakness. But at the moment, it's much more of an unknown.
Weaknesses
The offensive line is in a serious state of flux after the retirement of seven-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin in the offseason. Four of the five spots are filled by players with no more than three years of experience. But Dallas has used a ton of draft capital up front. Three of the four relative newcomers are first-round picks named Tyler (Smith, Guyton and Booker). The Cowboys could be in trouble at cornerback if Trevon Diggs doesn't return soon from a knee injury and can't find the All-Pro form of his second year in 2021.
Camp development
The uncertainty surrounding Parsons dominated the headlines for a month. And now the trade has raised the question of whether the Cowboys even have a chance to contend without the two-time All-Pro and 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Schottenheimer maintained he was confident Parsons would be on the field for the Sept. 4 opener at defending champion Philadelphia. Instead, Parsons should be on the field in Green Bay against Detroit on Sept. 7.
Fantasy player to watch
Lamb is the obvious choice since he had a full offseason and training camp for the first time since setting career highs in catches, yards and touchdowns when he was an All-Pro two years ago. Pickens is a sleeper pick since he is now playing in a stable QB situation, which he never had in three seasons with Pittsburgh.
BetMGM Sportsbook
Win Super Bowl: 60-1.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
The Associated Press
