Cowboys
There is little doubt that the Dallas Cowboys have the most talented roster in the NFC East. One could even say that they have the advantage of the best front office as well.
In contrast, the front office of both the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles have experienced meltdowns. Both have fired their head coaches and are in the midst of roster and culture makeovers. These factors alone set the Cowboys apart. In addition, Dallas has been consistently improving each year.
While it is true that the Washington Redskins are on an upward trajectory, under Coach Jay Gruden, they are still lagging behind America’s team. The change has come under Stephen Jones and Coach Jason Garrett. These gentleman have put together successful drafts and their efforts show. There is no doubt the NFC East will be dominated by the Cowboys in 2016. The five main reasons for the Cowboys dominating are:
5. Defense Wins Championships
This is steadily improving, and with the Cowboys winning the time of possession battle on offense, they will certainly dominate in 2016. They ranked 10th in the league against the run in 2015. The Cowboys added no less then five defensive draft picks in 2016 to a unit that already has seen immense improvement in 2015.
Tony Romo and company will be able to strike a winning balance on offense. The addition of Elliott will leave the defense fresh in the fourth quarter and late into the season, when the best teams of the season will emerge. The Dallas Cowboys’ unit will do more then hold their own with an offense holding up their end.
4. Healthy Tony Romo
Romo realizes his time in the league as a starter is coming to a close, and his efforts will reflect that of a cornered wild animal. The 36-year-old wants nothing more than to return to the playoffs. The team may have been 4-and-12 last year because of his absence, but the franchise was 12-and-4 in 2014 with Romo at the helm full time. Tony Romo is finally healthy enough to return to the type of play that made him one of the most talked about quarterbacks in the NFL. Romo has an offensive line that is going to give him the protection crucial to make the deep plays to one of the best receivers in the league in Dez Bryant.
3. The Weakness of the NFC East
The Eagles and Giants are rebuilding in 2016 and are unlikely to be a viable threat. The only team standing in the way of a division title is the Washington Redskins and they are honestly no match for the talent in Fort Worth, Texas. The Redskins played admirably under Coach Gruden but they will not be able to duplicate that success against the Cowboys in 2016. Barring unforeseen injuries the Cowboys will sweep the Skins this year.
2. Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott is going to return the Cowboys’ running game to the glory days of the 1990’s. He is said to be the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson and I agree 100%. Elliott pass blocks as good as any veteran back in the league. He is dangerous as a runner and a receiver. The comparisons to Emmitt Smith and Peterson are not overblown. Elliott is the real deal and Dallas made the best pick in the top-ten of the 2016 NFL Draft.
1. The Best Offensive Line in the NFL
The Cowboys have the best offensive line in the NFC. Games are won in the trenches. Although offensive linemen don’t get much love in the media, they are the unsung heroes of every successful quarterback. Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t need holes that a truck can drive through, but that’s what he will get behind one of the most talented groups in the league. I cannot over emphasize the importance of the impact this mix of high draft picks and veterans will have. Wide receiver Dez Bryant, and tailback Elliott, will put up gaudy statistics with Romo under center. In return, Romo will have a great deal of pressure lifted off his shoulders.
If you would like to read or hear more from Chris or fellow Couch Riders, please Subscribe to our RSS feed and like us on Facebook.
Christopher DuVall is a writer for the Couch Rider Report. Follow him on Facebook.
