For one of the NFL’s most polarizing teams, it’s another season where the Dallas Cowboys will begin the season with semi-high expectations. When you have the nickname “America’s Team,” it carries a different cachet. After three straight 12-win seasons from 2021-2023, Dallas finished with 7-wins the past two years. This past offseason, they made moves to shore up their subpar defense and bolster their elite offense. Will it be enough to win the NFC East for the first time since 2023?
Dallas Cowboys 2024-2025 Recap
The Cowboys want to wash away the bitter taste of their 7-9-1 record they finished with last season. Last year’s team appeared to never get their feet under them. Entering their bye week, Dallas had a record of 3-5-1 and had just lost to the Arizona Cardinals, one of the worst teams in the NFL last season. The true “low point” of their schedule. After their bye week, they came out on fire, winning three straight before finishing the season by losing four of their last five games.
The story of their last campaign was their defense’s inability to support their top-ten offense. The Cowboys’ defense was the NFL’s worst scoring defense, allowing 30.1 points per game and ranking 30th in yards allowed per game. Meanwhile, their offense was 7th in scoring, 27.7 points per game, and 2nd in the NFL in offensive yards per game. It’s hard to score 30 every week just to keep up with your opponents. They would go on to finish second in the NFC East and miss the postseason for the second straight season.
Offseason Moves
One of the biggest acquisitions any team made this offseason was the Cowboys’ first-round draft selection, Caleb Downs. Out of all the prospects in the NFL Draft this season, he was the most polished. Many scouts and analysts tagged him as the most “Pro Ready” player in last year’s draft. He fell to Dallas with the 11th pick, one of the steals of the century if he lives up to his potential.
They also made a low-risk, high-reward trade, acquiring a former first-round pick, offensive tackle Broderick Jones, from the Pittsburgh Steelers. After an up-and-down career and suffering a serious neck injury last year, he has found a new home with the Cowboys. If he can get his career on track, he is still only 25 years old.
Preview of the 2026 Season
The Dallas Cowboys are going to be elite. I believe they will possess one of the best offenses in the NFL. The two divisions they’re facing this year are the AFC South and the NFC West. There is no reason for this team to be as subpar on the defensive end as they were last season. They brought in Christian Parker, former DB coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos, to be the team’s newest defensive coordinator. If their defense can just be serviceable, they will be scary.
Dak Prescott is going to have a monster season. We know he and CeeDee Lamb have an excellent rapport. After trading for George Pickens last offseason, he had a career year. Pickens recorded 93 catches for 1429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, all career highs. He is looking for a new contract after getting franchise-tagged in the offseason. He is highly motivated to have another breakout year, and he will perform.
I have the Cowboys finishing 12-5 and winning the NFC East. The biggest issue for the team was their defense, and it should be mightily improved. They will have an MVP candidate in Dak Prescott and a top-five offense in the NFL. I really think many people will be surprised by how Dallas’ season will end up.
Final Thoughts
We’ve all seen the memes of Dallas Cowboys fans saying “It’s our year!” However, I think this could be their year. Am I predicting a Super Bowl? No, but I have high expectations for this team and franchise ahead of the 2026 season. What are your thoughts on Dallas this season? Will they win the NFC East, and can they finally get back to the NFC Title game for the first time since 1996?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my preview of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 season! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! Thank you for making us part of your day, and look forward to seeing you again soon.
