{"id":100157,"date":"2020-12-24T17:45:06","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T22:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=100157"},"modified":"2020-12-24T17:45:06","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T22:45:06","slug":"dak-prescott-amari-cooper-ezekiel-elliott-why-its-not-so-bad-in-big-d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/12\/24\/dak-prescott-amari-cooper-ezekiel-elliott-why-its-not-so-bad-in-big-d\/","title":{"rendered":"Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper: Why It’s Not So Bad in Big D"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coming off a career season in 2019, Dak Prescott<\/a><\/strong> hoped to build onto his already impressive career. Passing for nearly 5,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, Dak had the Cowboys primed to win the division. The quarterback in Big D has shown the ability to push the ball vertically, putting his team in a position to win any contest. Dak has consistently improved after his rookie season, which heavily leaned on the offensive juggernaut which is the Cowboys’ offensive line, and Ezekiel Elliott<\/a><\/strong>. Once healthy, this offense could be in the NFC East drivers’ seat while this core remains intact.<\/p>\n

Better Days Are Ahead for the Dallas Cowboys With Dak Prescott at Quarterback<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Not a Great Start<\/h3>\n

This season has been a real stinker for Dallas fans. The Cowboys started off with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams<\/a>, a narrow victory against the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>, then back-to-back losses against the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> and Cleveland Browns. Even worse was losing Dak, the sole bright spot early on, to a gruesome injury during the Week 5 win against the New York Giants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But It Gets Worse<\/h3>\n

Prescott’s injury was followed by a carousel of atrocious quarterback play. Yes, Andy Dalton<\/strong>, the “Red Rocket” came in and secured the win against the Giants. Yes, he has won a few games since. However, an unfortunate concussion and positive COVID-19 test left him sidelined for a large chunk of the mid-season stretch. The Cowboys experimented with Ben DiNucci<\/a> <\/strong>and then were blessed with a good showing and competitive game against the then-undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>. Nonetheless, we were blown out by the likes of the Arizona Cardinals<\/a>, Washington Football Team, Philadelphia Eagles (big yikes), and again by D.C. on Thanksgiving. Not to mention Baltimore’s “get-right-game,” they so desperately needed.<\/p>\n

Does anyone remember the preseason hype? It was there, and it was real. Off-season moves like signing Aldon Smith<\/a><\/strong> and Gerald McCoy<\/a><\/strong>, drafting CeeDee Lamb<\/strong><\/a> and Neville Gallimore<\/a>,<\/strong> previously extending and securing Zeke and Amari Cooper<\/a><\/strong>\u2026this team was well on its way to easily winning the NFC East. Not to mention the front-loaded schedule, Dallas would have the momentum to make significant headway vs the easiest NFL schedule after Week 4 (7\/12 teams with a losing or .500 record). Despite the Dak injury, the path to the playoffs was laid out on a silver platter.<\/p>\n

Headed to the Injured Reserve<\/h3>\n

Most teams in the NFL have been bitten by the injury bug, but maybe no team as significant as Dallas. Big D lost Gerald McCoy before the season with a quad injury, Dak Prescott in Week 5, and essentially the entire starting offensive line: Tyron Smith<\/a><\/strong>, Zack Martin<\/strong>, La\u2019el Collins<\/strong>, and Cameron Erving<\/a><\/strong>. It would appear that misery loves company as Dallas also lost Travis Frederick<\/strong> to retirement after battling with Guillain-Barre, a debilitating and progressive demyelinating nervous system disease. It\u2019s no wonder that Dalton\u00a0has been unable to form a comfort level and chemistry with Amari Cooper<\/a><\/strong> and company in this offense. He has lost his entire offensive line, inviting opposing defensive linemen into the huddle at the word \u201chike.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pieces Are There for Dak Prescott and Company<\/h3>\n

Things COULD BE WORSE in Dallas. This season boasts a deep draft in many positions. While the running back crop isn\u2019t tremendous, Dallas has been blessed by the likes of Zeke and Tony Pollard<\/a><\/strong>. If Dallas decides to let their signal-caller walk the upcoming quarterbacks are seemingly more than capable: Trevor Lawrence<\/strong>, Josh Fields<\/strong>, Trey Lance<\/strong>, Mac Jones<\/strong>, and Kyle Trask<\/strong>. While that may be a harsh decision, Dallas could find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. Dak\u2019s leverage only increases with every loss this season, while the Cowboys are up against the shrinking salary cap.<\/p>\n

The wide receiver position is also one of exceptional depth, led by Devonta Smith<\/strong> and fellow teammate Jaylen<\/strong> Waddle<\/strong>. One of these elite receivers could be an option if Dallas attempts to restructure or move a player such as Michael Gallup<\/a><\/strong>. What looks to be Dallas\u2019 best option is to invest in some defensive youngsters. Mock drafts are leaning towards Caleb Farley<\/strong> out of Virginia Tech, a 6\u20192\u2019\u2019, 207-pound cornerback who could help to solidify the Cowboys’ weakest unit.<\/p>\n

With the offensive line getting healthy this off-season, Dak\u2019s successful ankle surgery, and the hope of a top-10 pick on the horizon, Dallas fans should look to the future with optimism. Yes, the O-Line is nearing retirement and Zeke has struggled mightily this season. Nevertheless, we know who they are when they are healthy: one of the most elite units in the NFL. The notion of an old-fashioned ground and pound run game, play-action passing, and a skilled wide receiver core should have fans looking at the glass half-full in the NFC Least.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>