The Cowboys averaged a league-high 31.2 points per game and scored a league-high 530 points last season. QB Dak Prescott passed for a career-high 37 touchdowns and over 4.400 yards.
While running back Ezekiel Elliott posted the second-worst season of his career, he still reached the 1,000-yard plateau and touched paydirt 10 times. The receiving corps played well and efficiently, led by CeeDee Lamb’s first 1000-yard season.
Some believe this season Dak could have the worst offense he’s had in seven NFL seasons.
https://youtu.be/Hj4WfwOUJ9w
One of those critics is FS1 personality Emmanuel Acho, co-host of “Speak For Yourself,” who believes another year of heartbreak and disappointment is on the menu in Dallas.
“Here’s another sobering reminder for Cowboys fans. So this is the worst offense Dak Prescott’s ever had. Dak, in 2016, as a rookie, had three Hall of Fame talents on the offensive line. He had at wide receiver the greatest touchdown catcher in Cowboys history, Dez Bryant. At tight end, he has a first ballot future Hall of Famer in Jason Witten. In the slot, he had the most underrated slot receiver in Cole Beasley who finally went to Buffalo and got his credit as a second team All-Pro.”
Acho continued:
“That was 2016. 2017 was more of the same, but Dez Bryant was gone by 18. Now you got to figure out how to replace Dez Bryant. Now you bring in Amari Cooper. Now the Cowboys have no Hall of Fame talents on the offensive line. Tyron Smith is getting older and getting more injured.
“Zach Martin, for the first time ever, we saw him routinely get beat last year. So, they have no Hall of Fame talent on the offensive line.”
Acho is speaking some truth, but to say Martin or Smith aren’t still top-tier offensive lineman is farfetched. Both are still recognized as two of the best at their position.
A bunch of candidates fielded punts during OTAs, but is there a favorite for the job at this point? And could CeeDee Lamb possibly do it again? Our writers discuss in today's Mailbag. ⬇
Mailbag | @MillerLite
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 11, 2022
Another Failed Season
The Cowboys once again floundered in the playoffs, losing at home to the Niners in the first round. Cooper caught the brunt of the blame, as it was his choice to not get vaccinated, which hurt the offensive chemistry during the season. That showed up in their surprising loss to the Niners.
Prescott Will Have To Carry The Load More In 2022
With the loss of Cooper, the pressure falls on Dak and Lamb. Dak will need to prove he can elevate an offense. Lamb, a 2020 first-round selection from Oklahoma, must show he’s ready to be a No. 1 receiver. There’s no question he has the talent, but he’s got to produce more catches and less drops, as he finished third in the league in that category in 2021. As for the running game, Elliott and Pollard provide one of the top backfields in the league, and they’ll be called on to take some pressure off Dak.
Dak Prescott said he made a few changes this offseason, which has led to him being in “the best shape” of his career. Read more here↓
Offseason | #DallasCowboys
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 9, 2022
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will also need to show he’s got more tricks in the bag. Can he dial it up and be innovative enough to keep defenses off balance without the same talent he had in 2021?
NFC East Has Gotten Better
Prescott is 25-6 against the NFC East. The Cowboys have had the luxury of feasting on a putrid division ever since Dak was under center. That may not be the case anymore with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders and New York Giants all getting better.
In fact, the Eagles surprisingly made the playoffs last season, and since then added Titans star AJ Brown. The Commanders brought in former Eagles and Colts signal-caller Carson Wentz to hopefully shore up the weakest link of their roster. The Giants added two top-ten talents in the draft in edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and left tackle Evan Neal.
This is truly a crossroads season for Dak and he doesn’t appear to be as well-equipped as he was last season.
