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6 NFL teams that will make the playoffs in 2021 after missing last season

By Randy Gurzi

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to hand the ball off to Ezekiel Elliott #21 during the second half at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to hand the ball off to Ezekiel Elliott #21 during the second half at SoFi Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 22: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammate Michael Gallup #13 following a touchdown reception during their game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Dallas Cowboys

One team that really disappointed in 2020 was the Dallas Cowboys. After hiring Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, they were supposed to be saying goodbye to the frustrating mediocrity that plagued them during Jason Garrett’s tenure.

That didn’t happen though as they were an atrocious defense that only had a shot in their early games due to the play of Dak Prescott. Then when he broke his ankle, everything fell apart.

Andy Dalton was unable to get them into the playoffs and a lot of that was due to their offensive line struggling with health. Of course, having stars such as Ezekiel Elliott, Jaylon Smith, and Leighton Vander Esch all underperform didn’t help either.

Now, heading into this season, there’s at least some good news. One, Dak Prescott is expected to make a full recovery and the O-line is healthy as well. Two, they added players such as first-round pick Micah Parsons and fourth-round pick Jabril Cox to light a fire under Smith and LVE. Three, they have the second easiest schedule according to ESPN.

While having an easier schedule is ideal, Dallas has never been one to make it easy on themselves. They usually do beat teams with subpar records, but only after playing down to their level and then squeaking out a narrow win.

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Having said that, the narrow wins would still count and in the end, Dallas should be able to win the NFC East — which would then set up their disappointing 2022 campaign, but that’s a story for another day.

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