So is this the season the Dallas Cowboys get back to the playoffs?
Let’s be real.
Better coaching, better scheming and better special teams would have given the Dallas Cowboys a different result in 2019.
The talent was there to be better than 8-8 — namely, the league’s top-ranked offense with a 4,900-yard passer in Dak Prescott, a 1,400-yard rusher in Ezekiel and two 1,000-yard receivers in Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper.
That’s why Jason Garrett was fired and replaced with a proven winner in Mike McCarthy.
Now, add to that more pop on offense with top pick CeeDee Lamb, the best special teams coach in the league in John Fassel and a proven kicker you’re going to be better.
But wait, there’s more.
The Cowboys have the league’s 30th-ranked strength of the schedule, meaning their 2020 opponents had a combined 2019 winning percentage of .459.
The result should be instant playoff success in the first year of the McCarthy era. And this is how I think they’ll get there:
Sept. 13: at Rams, Loss
Rusty Dak Prescott and new coaching staff get off to slow start in JerryWorld West, Los Angeles’ new stadium.
Sept. 20: vs. Falcons, Win
This could be a shootout but Atlanta’s defense is the weakest link in this matchup.
Sept. 27: at Seahawks, Loss
The Cowboys suffer their first loss of the season as they have no answers for Russell Wilson.
Oct. 4: vs. Browns, Win
Cleveland should offer little resistance as the Cowboys prepare to get on a roll.
Oct. 11: vs. Giants, Win
The Cowboys continue their dominance against the Giants, ruining Jason Garrett’s homecoming.
Oct. 19: vs. Cardinals, Win
Cardinals QB and Texas-native Kyler Murray has never lost at AT&T Stadium dating back to high school. This will be a first.
Oct. 25: at Redskins, Win
Cowboys have won four of the last five, seven of the last eight and nine of the last 11 in the series. New coaches, same results.
Nov. 1: at Eagles, Loss
The first showdown between Mike McCarthy and Doug Pederson leaves the Cowboys a little bloody.
Nov. 8: vs. Steelers, Win
Steelers nation will take over AT&T Stadium, if fans are allowed in, but the team is no match for the Cowboys.
Nov. 22: at Vikings, Win
The Cowboys make amends for a game they let get away in 2019. Better coaching matters.
Nov. 26: vs. Redskins, Win
Washington remains in rebuilding mode at quarterback and continues to struggle in this one-sided rivalry.
Dec. 3: at Ravens, Loss
The Cowboys get their first look at Lamar Jackson, but don’t get their hands on him.
Dec. 13: at Bengals, Win
Joe Burrow goes from the toast of college football to just toast in his first year with Bengals.
Dec. 20: vs. 49ers, Loss
San Francisco seized control of the Hot Boyz name by taking it to the Super Bowl last season. Now, they’ll do it in person at AT&T Stadium.
Dec. 27: vs. Eagles, Win
This time it’s the Cowboys who seize control of the NFC East, clinch a playoff berth with a home win in December.
Jan. 3: at Giants, Win
The Cowboys earn their fourth straight season sweep and eighth straight win in the series.
Final Record: 11-5
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 10:55 AM.
