If quarterback Tony Romo returns healthy this season, going 4-12 in 2015 may be the best thing that could have happened to Dallas. Now, the very talented Cowboys roster will have the benefit of playing the 27th weakest schedule in the NFL.
Prior to 2014, Dallas had been a second-tier team for several years. After winning the NFC East in 2009, the team slumped to 6-10. That was followed by three 8-8 campaigns until they emerged with arguably the best offensive line and running game in the NFL. In 2014, they still had DeMarco Murray, the league’s rushing king. There was also Tony Romo, a field general completing 69.9 percent of his passes with a 113.2 quarterback rating.
The Cowboys were an offensive powerhouse. They were once again a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
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However, the loss of Murray in free agency, the Greg Hardy distraction (s) and Romo going down twice during the season turned championship dreams into a weekly Greek tragedy.
But getting punched in the gut last season may lead to long-term success. What was that my old friend Frederick Nietzsche said . . . “That which does not kill us, makes the ‘Boys draft Ezekiel Elliott?” Or something like that.
Much of this is reminiscent of 2009 and ’10. In 2009, Dallas had a good shot at a ring, but ran smack into a Brett Favre-led Vikings team in the playoffs. During the 2010 season the teamed fell to 6-10, despite an excellent draft that included wide receiver Dez Bryant and inside linebacker Sean Lee. However, losing three offensive linemen, including starting tackle Flozell Adams, appeared to derail their established however frail offensive continuity.
That season seems reflective of 2015 in which a few key players appeared to disrupt the team’s cohesion. The organization seems to have addressed that issue by selecting the dynamic Ohio State running back in the first round, which may resurrect their 2014 edge.
As far as their 2016 foes, consider this. Inside the NFC East, the 6-10 Giants added some key free agents but will need time to gel. The Eagles are rebuilding and the Redskins don’t appear stout against the run, and area the Cowboys will no doubt exploit.
Several of the remaining opponents are doormats. The 5-11 San Francisco 49ers inexplicably hired coach Chip Kelly and are, generously speaking, in a rebuilding phase. The 6-10 Miami Dolphins lost key players to free agency. And the 3-13 Cleveland Browns look even worse this year than last.
Despite a low-rated 2016 schedule, the Cowboys do play some playoff teams outside their division. There’s a trip north to face the defending NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings and a visit from the Cincinnati Bengals in October. Going into Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be a cake walk. Nor will a jaunt up to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers.
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One of the great strengths of this season is that last year Dallas had 12-4 talent, but now plays a weaker schedule. Plugging in a dynamic running back to replace the most significant free agent loss may very well return the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs.
Sometimes you have to take one step back, to take two steps forward.