NFL Playoff Preview Countdown: No. 3 Dallas Cowboys

This is an excerpt from this week’s edition of Mike Tanier’s NFL Walkthrough, available every Monday at The Messenger…

2023 Season in a Nutshell

It was a Cowboys season like any other, only more so. They pulverized opponents like the Giants, Jets, Patriots and Panthers so thoroughly that it almost looked like they were trying too hard to prove something. December arrived just as the skeptics started to come around, and the Cowboys stayed true to their brand with losses to the Bills and Dolphins, plus a narrow, referee-assisted win over the Lions. The Cowboys clinched the NFC East with Sunday’s 38–10 drubbing of the Commanders. The win also illustrated that the Cowboys are entering the postseason ready to be taken seriously, unlike their rivals in Philly.

Quarterback Dak Prescott

Nothing short of a Super Bowl victory will convince the Dak Doubters, who have been criticizing every facet of Prescott’s game since he was Tony Romo. Prescott led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns this season, cut down on his interceptions and still adds value as a scrambler and runner. But ripping Prescott is a great way to get your article liked and shared up and down the I-95 corridor. So guess what? DAK STINKS.

Offense

CeeDee Lamb lines up all over the formation — even in the backfield at times — and makes catches anywhere and everywhere. The whole passing game flows through Lamb, with Jake Ferguson working underneath (plus some well-timed seam shots) and Brandin Cooks taking the lid off the defense.

Don’t tell the cool kids on the social networks, but the Cowboys offense missed Ezekiel Elliott this year. Tony Pollard has been an adequate runner but done little as a receiver, while backup Rico Dowdle is only memorable because “Rico Dowdle” is fun to say. Tyron Smith and Zach Martin still anchor a solid offensive line when both are healthy, which is now about 65% of the time.

Mike McCarthy’s offense is one of the fastest-paced units in the NFL: They often go no-huddle in non-hurry-up situations, and Prescott generally gets the team out of the huddle and takes the snap quickly, putting pressure on defenders playing Find the Lamb.

Defense

Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence spearhead a fearsome front four. Da’Ron Bland’s remarkable Pick-6 streak came to an end late in the season, and D.K. Metcalf/Terry McLaurin caliber receivers give him trouble, but opponents still pick on Bland at their peril. Veteran Stephon Gilmore is steady at cornerback on the offensive right side.

The Cowboys use dime personnel more than most teams, with safeties Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse acting as de-facto linebackers. Playing with a big lead so often makes it easier for coordinator Dan Quinn to deploy six defensive backs without worrying about the run threat. But like many NFC playoff defenses, the Cowboys can be a little squishy in the middle when their pass rush doesn’t get home.

Special Teams

Former professional soccer player and USFL kicker Brandon Aubrey did not miss a field goal until the Commanders blocked a 32-yard attempt on Sunday, was 9-of-9 from 50-plus yards and consistently drilled touchbacks. Veteran Bryan Anger entered Week 18 leading the NFL with 45.3 net yards per punt.

Bottom Line

It’s easier than usual to believe in the Cowboys. Unfortunately, it’s harder than ever to disbelieve in the 49ers, who beat the Cowboys 42–10 in Week 5. Does it count as another humiliating Cowboys collapse if they reach the NFC Championship, only to fall to a superior foe? Eagles, Giants and Commanders agree: hell yes.