Fansided

NFL: 5 teams in deep trouble come Week 1

By Pete Schauer

Aug 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) passes against the New York Jets during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) passes against the New York Jets during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett talks with quarterback Tony Romo (9) and quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Baltimore beat Dallas 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett talks with quarterback Tony Romo (9) and quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Baltimore beat Dallas 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys’ season is going to hinge on their defense, and if the preseason has been any indicator of what’s to come, it’s going to be a long season for Dallas fans.

The ‘Boys are allowing just south of 30 points per game this preseason–29.6 to be exact–and they ranked dead last in NFL total defense in 2013. After not making many improvements to its defense, Dallas is definitely in trouble in Week 1, especially vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

San Fran ranked third in rushing offense last season–a defensive category the Cowboys ranked 27th in. It also doesn’t help that DeMarcus Ware is now playing for the Denver Broncos and Orlando Scandrick will be serving a four-game suspension for a failed drug test.

I think the Cowboys’ offense will be able to hold its own–DeMarco Murray is coming off a solid season, Jason Witten is one of the most consistent tight ends in the league, Dez Bryant is a top five wideout and Terrance Williams is on the come up–but when you don’t have defense, it’s tough to win football games.

Dallas starts the season 0-1 for the first time since 2011.

Home/Dallas Cowboys