ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Another year of playoff failure emerged as the Cowboys were one-and-done in 2023, losing to the Green Bay Packers 48-32. Despite the early postseason exit, Dallas won the NFC East for the second time in three seasons with a 12-5 record.
2023 also saw the Cowboys dominate defensively, allowing under 300 yards a game on average while giving up 36 touchdowns during the regular season – the same can be said for the offense, as they averaged 371.6 yards and scored 57 touchdowns. Dallas outscored the rival Giants 89-17 and the Commanders 83-20 in their annual meetings.
Defensive coordinator Dann Quinn left Dallas to become the Commanders’ head coach – former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was hired to take over for Quinn. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch retired after six seasons due to medical reasons. Vander Esch started 65 games during his tenure and recorded 469 tackles combined while getting 3.5 sacks.
Star offensive tackle Tyron Smith departed for the New York Jets, Tony Pollard went to Tennessee, and Michael Gallup signed with the Raiders. Ezekiel Elliot returns to Dallas after spending 2023 with the Patriots, in addition to Eric Kendricks and Royce Freeman joining the squad.
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At 29, the Cowboys selected Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton since Smith left, and the other options are just as inexperienced. It’ll be quite an ask for Guyton, as the Cowboys hope he’ll fill the former all-pro’s shoes. As Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong exited, it made sense for Marshawn Kneeland to get picked in round two. Armstrong gets the opportunity to learn from Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons to build on pass-rushing skills.
Dallas’s 2024 schedule is tied for the NFL’s 12th most brutal.
The Cowboys will play the Giants on Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium and on Thursday night in week four. Eight other prime-time games are scheduled: the Ravens, Steelers, Lions, 49ers, Eagles, Texans and Bengals.
The offensive line will take a massive hit after Smith’s departure, though Zack Martin is present. Dak Prescott would need to play at an elite level, as there’s pressure for the Cowboys to compete for the NFC East with the Eagles.
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