I define SB position as homefield throughout. So, do I think this team can get the best record in the NFC for that? No, I don't. I do not think the teams ahead of the Cowboys LA, NO and CHI declined and I have PHL right there with them. I am not confident the Cowboys have improved from the last half of 2018.
The one thing in the Cowboys quiver is that they play the other teams that they could possibly tie with at the end of the season and have the chance for the tiebreaker but they have to defeat most of those teams.
Now about that confidence in improvement, there are 3 areas, FA, draft and growing your own that affect that. The one area that could really be the hidden gem is the last one of the three in this, the return of a 100% Yosemite and the progress of Gallup and Williams on offense and Collins, A Woods, Vander Esch, J Smith, B Jones and X Woods. Rookie contribution is such an unknown as is FA with Quinn and Cobb but I liked both pickups.
And then there's the one we like to talk about so much, the QB. How will he do with a new QBC and OC? While it is still all about team, he must take a step up from where he was last season as this team is going to need to get the scoring average up at least 7 points a game which would put them at 28.2, still not at LA or NO level but within striking distance.
At this point, I think 8 of the 16 are possible SB contenders and I would bet I am wrong on at least 1 of the 8 already. That's the mystery about the season in the NFC that I really like. We know there will be disappointment and surprise teams, just not which will be which. And we've been both in the last 4 seasons.