NFL
Season Outlook:
The Cowboys suffered back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2002. A major cause for their 7-9-1 record in 2025 was the inability to stop opponents, which negated an offense that ranked second in yards per game. Brian Schottenheimer's first year as head coach was ultimately a disappointment. The objective going into his second is clear. Dallas can't afford to waste many more of Dak Prescott's standout seasons.
What's Changed:
A lot on defensively, and for good reason. The Cowboys allowed the most points and third-most yards in the NFL last year. They fired Matt Eberflus and hired Christian Parker, whose Philadelphia defenses ranked top ten against the pass the last two seasons. Dallas traded for edge rusher Rashan Gary, added Jalen Thompson, PJ Locke, Dee Winters, Matt Hennessy and Cobie Durant, and spent the two first-round picks from last year's Micah Parsons trade on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.
Bigger Role & Sophomore Breakout:
Gary steps in as Dallas’ lead pass rusher, expected to make up for the pressure lost after Parsons was traded last September. He’s recorded 7.5 sacks in each of the previous two seasons. Tyler Booker, last year’s first-rounder who started 14 games and made the PFWA All-Rookie Team, has the makings of the franchise's next great building-block lineman. He is poised to make the jump from a solid rookie starter to a dominant, Pro Bowl-caliber player.
Key Question:
Can a retooled defense stop anybody? We’ve seen teams make a flurry of moves that increase the talent level but don't necessarily translate to instant success. This group still has to prove it. And with several of the principal figures being rookies, variance is very high.
Prediction:
Dallas wins 10 games and gets a Wild Card spot plus a favorable first-round matchup that allows the Cowboys to win their first postseason game since 2022. Caleb Downs makes an immediate impact and is among the finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The other new additions to the defense help improve the unit and take the pressure off Prescott and the offense. Dak throws for at least 4,000 yards for the fifth time in his career.
X-Factor:
While kickers are getting more accurate on long field goals with regularity, Brandon Aubrey seems to be on another level – currently holding the NFL record for the most makes from 60 yards or longer with six. A Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons, he's been successful on 112 of his 127 tries. His ability to connect on long-distance tries is a true game changer, especially if the Cowboys are in a bunch of close (and important) contests.
Final Scorecard:
- Offense: 8
- Defense: 7
- Coaching: 6
- X-Factor Upside: 8
- Schedule Strength: 6