The Dallas Cowboys are navigating a period of transition as they embark on the 2024 NFL season with a middling 3-3 record. This comes on the heels of back-to-back 12-win seasons from 2021 to 2023, showcasing a stark contrast in performance. Changes in the roster and a less impactful start to the season have put the Cowboys under the microscope as they aim to regain their form.
Departures and New Additions
Compounding the Cowboys' situation is the departure of several key players who had been pivotal in their past successes. Offensive lineman Tyron Smith has taken his talents to the New York Jets, center Tyler Biadasz is now with the Washington Commanders, and running back Tony Pollard has moved on to the Tennessee Titans. These departures have undeniably left gaps that need to be filled by a mix of returning players and newcomers.
Amidst these roster changes, fresh faces like Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe are stepping into larger roles as the Cowboys attempt to integrate new talent into their lineup. Their contribution will be critical as the team seeks to overcome deficiencies like their league-worst rushing yards per game, currently stuck at an underwhelming 77.2.
Pivotal Players and Pressures
The pressure is particularly intense on established leaders like quarterback Dak Prescott, who candidly reflected on his performance this season. "I'd say I've played average, and average isn't good enough right now. It's never been good enough for me. I can't say that I've been happy or excited after any of these games that I've played. I can play better. For sure. And I expect to," he admitted, acknowledging the need to elevate his level of play.
Prescott, who was remarkable last season by leading the league in passing touchdowns with 36, sees this year as a challenge for both himself and his teammates. "Other guys got to win. They've got to seek that opportunity to go make those plays and give obviously myself with them and this whole offense more confidence," he added, emphasizing the collective responsibility to improve and capitalize on opportunities.
CeeDee Lamb, another star performer, who topped the league with 135 receptions last season, echoed a focus on regrouping and improvement. "We love a bye week, we take advantage of it. Anything we feel like we missed out on together as a unit, as a duo, we hopped on it, just got right to work," he explained, reinforcing the importance of using the downtime to regroup and address areas in need of development.
Challenges and Expectations
The Cowboys' struggle is further magnified by their recurring encounters with the San Francisco 49ers, having lost three consecutive games to them, including postseason defeats in 2021 and 2022, capped by a 42-10 loss in Week 5 last year. These losses highlight the challenges the Cowboys face against top-tier competition and the necessity of strategic adjustments.
As the Cowboys focus on building synergy among their offensive unit, undrafted veteran running back Rico Dowdle is expected to step into a more prominent role in the team's running game. His contributions could be crucial as the Cowboys attempt to revitalize their rushing attack and find more balance offensively.
With the season's progression, the Cowboys have no shortage of work ahead to get back on the path to victory. The departure of seasoned players, the integration of new talent, and the internal acknowledgment of areas needing improvement offer them an opportunity to redefine their strategy. For Prescott, Lamb, Dowdle, and coach Mike McCarthy's squad, the road to reclaiming their form of recent years relies largely on their ability to adapt and overcome both internal challenges and formidable adversaries.
As Prescott implied, the solution lies not in making excuses but rather in consistent communication and effort—both in games and the vital preparation stages. "Obviously you have to look at camp, and you can call it an excuse or whatever, but it just goes into right, as I said, being consistent. When you haven't had that time in camp, you've got to be able to communicate through things," he pointed out.
The rest of the season remains a canvas of possibility for the Cowboys, where adaptation and sharp execution will determine if they can recapture the glory of their recent past seasons. Fans and analysts alike will watch keenly as the Cowboys progress, scrutinizing each play and each decision with the fervor that America's Team inevitably draws.