Ranking the Redskins’ NFC East opponents: How do they stack up?
By Ian Cummings
No. 2 – Dallas Cowboys
I’m not super high on the Cowboys, but after taking a second look at their situation, it’s clear that they could be a lot worse. There are questions on both the offense and the defense, but the team is far from in disarray.
At first glance, the Cowboys’ bright spots easily stand out. The offensive line is still one of the most dominant groups in the NFL, anchored by players like Tyron Smith, Zach Martin, and Travis Frederick. Behind that offensive line resides Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, an exciting, efficient young backfield duo.
The Cowboys are somewhat lacking in proven talent at wide receiver and tight end, but they have more than enough talent to field a respectable offense. The coaching is suspect as well, but the players in the trenches have always made up for deficiencies there, to some degree.
On defense, the Cowboys don’t have a dominant position group that resembles their offensive line, but they have some potential, in that regard. At linebacker, Sean Lee is one of the best in the business (his health is a concern, but the same goes for Jordan Reed). Teaming up with Lee at the position is Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, both of whom are young, ascending players with first-round pedigrees.
As the Eagles showed the NFL last year, however, championship teams build up from the trenches, and the Cowboys, on the defensive side of the ball, have room from improvement. Behind Tyrone Crawford and Jihad Ward, there isn’t much depth on the interior. On the outside, there’s more promise. Demarcus Lawrence broke out as a top-tier edge defender last year, and Randy Gregory was recently reinstated. But aside from Lawrence, there isn’t much proven talent. The same goes for the team’s secondary. Jourdan Lewis had a solid rookie season, but the Cowboys will be dependent on more than a few developmental seasons.
Roster to roster, the Redskins are better than the Cowboys, but the Cowboys are strong enough where they could pose a threat. The Cowboys always play the Redskins tough, and this year will be no different, no matter how good the Redskins can be.