ESPN Power Index: 2024 projection, Super chances (Cowboys rank 4th, behind 49ers, Chiefs and Lions)

[TheMarathonContinues]

We didn't add much that's gonna swing the balance in my opinion although we did lose a bit of help.

I assume most of the core talent will be what we ended up with, it's not hard to have a general idea of what we have.

You don’t think the defense improves with Bland getting better, Diggs returning, Kendricks at linebacker? There’s room to improve.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

You don’t think the defense improves with Bland getting better, Diggs returning, Kendricks at linebacker? There’s room to improve.

Can we stop the Run?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Can we stop the Run?

I have no idea. I can’t imagine them being worse in that record. I do feel better about having actual linebackers then 205 pound safeties there.

 

[Vtwin]

Over Philly and San Fran? No.

You're moving the posts again. I never said they were picked to win the SB by all the "experts". In the spirit of the thread I said that they were considered among the top contenders, as they are in this ESPN ranking. The 49's and Eagles were also predicted to be top contenders. Just like this upcoming season.

 

[Vtwin]

Are there really still fools out there putting money on a Cowboys Super Bowl win?

I think @rambo2 bet his life savings.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Can we stop the Run?

It will be better than last year.

 

[Motorola]

Correct. Typical a 1 or 2 seed. Absolutely spot on. Everyone in here thought we had a chance last season. And we folded like cheap clothes.

I prefer "folded like a cheap lawn chair" as the apt phrase in labeling how the Cowboys played in that HOME wildcard loss to the Packers.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You're moving the posts again. I never said they were picked to win the SB by all the "experts". In the spirit of the thread I said that they were considered among the top contenders, as they are in this ESPN ranking. The 49's and Eagles were also predicted to be top contenders. Just like this upcoming season.

You said they were top contenders last year due to “experts”…..

Yet, most had them at best 3rd in the NFC and behind Chiefs, Bills, Bengals……

 

[rambo2]

You said they were top contenders last year due to “experts”…..

Yet, most had them at best 3rd in the NFC and behind Chiefs, Bills, Bengals……

They did get the number 2 spot.

 

[plasticman]

The Cowboys will be one of the league leaders in offense.

I'm definitely not against that. I am somewhat skeptical.

The RB squad did not improve from last season and many considered that a need. One of the best LT's in the league is being replaced by a rookie, if he is deemed ready. LT covers the QB's blind side.

Brandin Cooks, who was actually supposed to be the 3rd WR, is now the 2nd receiver after one of the least productive seasons in his 10 year career.

Jalen Tolbert, who "got it" last season improved his rookie production of 2 receptions to 22 receptions last season.

It shouldn't be difficult at all the draft class of 2023 to improve since they did little to nothing in their rookie seasons. We are counting on Mazi and Overshown to make massive contributions and they are still nursing injuries. Schoonmaker can't put on his pads without twisting something.

That seems like a lot of question marks on both offense and defense. It looks like there are going to have to be a few pleasant surprises along the way in order for this offense to be a league leader.

Rather than being a league leader for the season, I would just settle for them peaking in January as the younger players steadily improve.

My prediction, despite my gloomy summary, is for them to go 10-7, but to be stronger at the end of the season than they have the previous three seasons. I wouldn't doubt a 5-5 record in the first ten games.

 

[HungryLion]

They did get the number 2 spot.

And how did that turn out

 

[MikeT22]

Eventually means soon like as early as this year. Of course you negative nuts don't believe it. Just like they didn't believe it when Landry lost it and Jones bought the team.

Yeah eventually we will probably win another wildcard game. Not sure bout this year though.

 

[charron]

Seems odd anyone would rank a team so high that got worse in the off-season after losing in a wildcard game in disastrous fashion.

 

[removed_20241105]

Jeez, I have to explain everything. ESPN hates the Cowboys with all the coverage they give them is mostly negative.

You don’t have to explain anything and you aren’t any authority on this by any stretch. You are sensitive to commentary about the team that isn’t positive. I’m sure a poll here would support that overwhelmingly. You spend more time commenting on the messengers than you do discussing the actual team and topics, whether it’s the media, or other forum posters.

Don’t be so sensitive. They are just fine without you defending them constantly.

 

[Rockport]

I'm definitely not against that. I am somewhat skeptical.

The RB squad did not improve from last season and many considered that a need. One of the best LT's in the league is being replaced by a rookie, if he is deemed ready. LT covers the QB's blind side.

Brandin Cooks, who was actually supposed to be the 3rd WR, is now the 2nd receiver after one of the least productive seasons in his 10 year career.

Jalen Tolbert, who "got it" last season improved his rookie production of 2 receptions to 22 receptions last season.

It shouldn't be difficult at all the draft class of 2023 to improve since they did little to nothing in their rookie seasons. We are counting on Mazi and Overshown to make massive contributions and they are still nursing injuries. Schoonmaker can't put on his pads without twisting something.

That seems like a lot of question marks on both offense and defense. It looks like there are going to have to be a few pleasant surprises along the way in order for this offense to be a league leader.

Rather than being a league leader for the season, I would just settle for them peaking in January as the younger players steadily improve.

My prediction, despite my gloomy summary, is for them to go 10-7, but to be stronger at the end of the season than they have the previous three seasons. I wouldn't doubt a 5-5 record in the first ten games.

Although theoretically they have improved the running game with the 2 high offensive lineman draft picks, they still need a RB to hit those holes. Rico showed a bit of a burst and averaged 4.1 ypc. They need to upgrade that position before the season IMHO. However saying that, they have possibly cemented a powerful big offensive line. One that may be able to dominate in the 4th quarter. That’s much harder to do than finding a better RB.

As for the defense, the back 2/3’s should be better this year with Diggs coming back and Kendricks guiding the young LB’s who all are young and getting better. The problem again with this defense is do they have enough to stop the run. That’s the big “IF” for me and remains to be seen.

 

[Rockport]

Seems odd anyone would rank a team so high that got worse in the off-season after losing in a wildcard game in disastrous fashion.

Got worse according to who? Maybe you’ve been wrong all along huh?

 

[Rockport]

You don’t have to explain anything and you aren’t any authority on this by any stretch. You are sensitive to commentary about the team that isn’t positive. I’m sure a poll here would support that overwhelmingly. You spend more time commenting on the messengers than you do discussing the actual team and topics, whether it’s the media, or other forum posters.

Don’t be so sensitive. They are just fine without you defending them constantly.

Found another hater. Oh boy.

 

[Chasing6]

They can use all their fancy "indexes' that they can come up with, but the Cowboys as of right now sure do not pass the eye test for me. We have to have a whole lotta things go our way to end up being that good. I don't see it, but I hope I'm wrong.

Thanks as always for sharing articles!

If you can't run or stop the run in the playoffs you have no chance.

 

[Blue&Silver]

Well hell. We are the division champs this coming season why bother to show up and play the games. That was easy.

 

[Blue&Silver]

They've been picked as top SB contenders each of the last three pre-seasons.

And here we are.

Seems like for the last couple decades we have been Super Bowl contenders.

I am tired of hearing the commentators tell us how much talent we have. They just don't understand why we suck.