For the past few years, the Dallas Cowboys have been one of the more talented teams in the National Football League.
They have possessed stars and Pro Bowlers on both sides of the ball, but each year they have seemingly fallen short of expectations.
Going into the 2022 campaign, they look weakened following an embarrassing loss in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs to their old NFC rivals, the San Francisco 49ers.
The final drive of the #Cowboys–#49ers playoff game via NFL Films@EzekielElliott: "What happened? the referee got in the way?" pic.twitter.com/2iqdHyaQjM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 19, 2022
Although the conference as a whole may have gotten a little bit weaker, there are also teams there that seem to be on the rise, and that could spell doom for the team that brazenly loves to call itself “America’s Team.”
There is a chance that the Cowboys could be forced to watch next season’s NFL playoffs from home.
Dallas Has Lost Some Key Contributors
The Cowboys had a strong regular season in 2021, winning a dozen games and taking first place in the NFC East.
They did so by finishing first in points scored and yards allowed, as well as second in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns.
But those numbers are sure to take a hit in 2022.
Amari Cooper, the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was traded to the Cleveland Browns this offseason where he will now be catching passes from Deshaun Watson.
Cooper has been one of Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott‘s favorite targets over the last several years, and now he will have to do without him.
Yes, CeeDee Lamb has become a young and dependable wideout in his own right, but his job will become harder without Cooper to take some of the defensive pressure off him.
On defense, Dallas has lost Randy Gregory, one of its starting defensive ends, and the way he left was embarrassing.
He first announced on social media he was re-signing with the Cowboys, then he abruptly changed course and inked a contract with the Denver Broncos instead.
With super rookie linebacker Micah Parsons and All-Pro First-team cornerback Trevon Diggs, Dallas’ defense can still be solid overall, but it will have some weaknesses, including up front near the line of scrimmage.
The Pitfalls Ahead In The NFC
Although plenty of talent has left the conference, the NFC is still pretty competitive.
The Green Bay Packers may have lost superstar wideout Davante Adams and pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, but with Aaron Rodgers still under center, many still expect them to reach the postseason.
San Francisco could decide to trade Deebo Samuel, and Trey Lance could turn out to be a bust if it starts him at QB, but the team still has a strong playoff-level foundation.
The Minnesota Vikings appear likely to have a real shot at returning to the playoffs, especially with Smith now in the fold, and heavy-hitters on offense such as running back Dalvin Cook and wideout Justin Jefferson.
Aaron Rodgers cannot make this throw, neither could Justin Fields or Jared Goff
The Minnesota Vikings have the best QB in the NFC North 🤩pic.twitter.com/N9ws1fIy6h
— Wy🅰️tt🫡 (@WPST0) March 14, 2022
Michael Thomas is expected back for the New Orleans Saints, who came tantalizingly close to the playoffs in 2021, and if Jameis Winston proves to be an adequate signal-caller, the two could put the team over the top.
If the Saints and Vikings make the playoffs next year, two other teams will have to fall out of the postseason picture.
Of course, if the Cowboys win the NFC East again, they will be guaranteed a playoff spot.
But is that really something to expect, given that they’ve only won the division three times in the six years Prescott has been their starting QB?
If the Cowboys fail to finish first in the NFC East, chances are they will miss the playoffs for the fourth time in six years.
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