Fansided

Cowboys’ talent enough for Super Bowl run in 2019

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) celebrates after causing a fumble during the Thanksgiving Day game between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys on November 22, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 22: Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) celebrates after causing a fumble during the Thanksgiving Day game between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys on November 22, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Cowboys are looking for their first Super Bowl win in 25 seasons, and this club has a real chance.

Best-case scenario

For the Cowboys and their fanbase, the expectation is always Super Bowl or bust. It’s been the latter for nearly 25 years now.

Still, this is a roster that is believed to be much-improved over the one that won its division last season and defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs. Best-case scenario for the Cowboys is a deep playoff run that must include a visit to the NFC championship Game. The ultimate goal is, of course, a Super Bowl victory, which would be the team’s first since 1995.

Worst-case scenario

The Cowboys finish second in the NFC East to the Philadelphia Eagles. If contract talks continue into the regular season with their star players, it could become the looming distraction that pulls their locker room chemistry apart. A season without a playoff berth will likely result in a change at head coach as Jason Garrett enters the season in the final year of his current deal. Dallas could be heading in a drastically different direction in 2020 if they fail to meet lofty expectations this upcoming season.

Confidence level (Low, medium or high)

High.

This is a Cowboys squad that appears to have Super Bowl-level talent on paper. Yet offseason contract talks, several key players recovering from injuries, and a new, inexperienced offensive coordinator could force the team to take a step backward in 2019.

But this is the same group that won the NFC East last year. And, with yet another offseason program under their collective belts, this very young team should only get better. Now, it’s a matter of putting it all together.

X-Factor

Amari Cooper.

The three-time Pro Bowl receiver was the catalyst that turned the Cowboys’ season around last year. Before his arrival, Dallas appeared to be a sub .500 team posting a 3-5 record in its first eight games. With Cooper added to the mix as a legitimate top-end threat for quarterback Dak Prescott, the Cowboys were able to win seven of their final eight games and secure the NFC East crown. That formula hasn’t changed heading into 2019 as there’s hope the connection between Prescott and Cooper has only strengthened.

Turning point

Week 12 against the New England Patriots.

Visiting the Super Bowl champions at the end of November will be the ultimate challenge. But what makes it a turning point is the Cowboys play the Buffalo Bills four days later on Thanksgiving. Then it’s a brutal stretch that includes an away game against the Chicago Bears, a home game against the Los Angeles Rams, and a trip to Philly to face off against their divisional rivals, the Eagles.

Best moment in team history

The Cowboys’ first Super Bowl victory during the 1971 season. After struggling through several losing years following their formation in 1960, the Cowboys started to make a name for themselves in the mid-60s under legendary head coach Tom Landry.

With a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI, the Cowboys cemented themselves as one of the greatest teams in NFL history.