Dallas Cowboys among 5 sleeper teams to watch for in 2014
2. Dallas Cowboys
In 2013, and for the third consecutive season, the Cowboys were faced with a Week 17 showdown for the right to wear the NFC East crown. And, for the third consecutive season, the Cowboys were dealt a heartbreaking loss — this time by the Eagles. In 2012 their playoff hopes were squashed by the Redskins; in 2011, by the Giants.
To recap: in three seasons, each of the Cowboys’ three intra-division foes has had its turn of eliminating Dallas from postseason contention on the final night of the regular season. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that the Cowboys are consistently competitive and are consistently knocking on playoffs’ door. The other piece of good news is that, had Tony Romo not suffered a herniated disk against the Redskins the week prior, the Cowboys likely would have beaten the Eagles and captured the NFC East title last season.
But why should we be convinced, after three straight 8-8 seasons, that the Cowboys will be anything but mediocre again in 2014?
Here’s the truth: I don’t think the Cowboys are any better than they were a season ago. But, I will also argue this: they don’t need to be better than they were in 2013.
Dallas easily could have won 13 games last season. The ‘Boys lost by one point to the Chiefs, by three points to the Broncos, by one point to the Lions, by one point to the Packers, and by two points to the Eagles. Literally, they were eight points shy of earning a bye week in the playoffs.
Not only that, but the NFC East could be Dallas’s to lose.
Coming off a 3-13 season and with questions surrounding Robert Griffin III, the Redskins are a mess.
The Giants? They were even worse in 2013 than their 7-9 record might indicate. In their seven wins, they were opposed by the following seven quarterbacks: Josh Freeman, Matt Barkley, Terrelle Pryor, Scott Tolzien, a hobbled-RG3, Matt Stafford, and Kirk Cousins. Just as Dallas could have easily won 12 or 13 games, the Giants easily could have lost 12 or 13 games.
And, given a season to adapt, the NFL should be better prepared to deal with the Eagles and with Chip Kelly’s offense in 2014.
Bottom line: Someone has to win the NFC East. Why not the Cowboys, who were a few plays away from winning double-digit games last season?