Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2015 regular season. Today, the Dallas Cowboys.
2014 in a nutshell: They bust out of a three-season 8-8 streak with 12 wins and their first division title since 2009, beat the Lions in controversial fashion in the wild-card round and then lose to the Packers in the same fashion the following week.
Why 2015 could be different: Reigning offensive player of the year DeMarco Murray is no longer in the backfield. On the other hand, their three young Pro Bowl offensive linemen should only get better and they’ve got Pro Bowler Sean Lee back from injury on defense.
Major additions: They brought in a Pro Bowl-caliber pass-rusher in Greg Hardy, but Hardy will be suspended for the first four games of the year and could be a liability off the field.
Major losses: Murray, who led the NFL in rushing by a 484-yard margin in 2014 but got away as a free agent. They also lost solid front-seven defenders Bruce Carter, Justin Durant, George Selvie and Anthony Spencer.
Breakout watch: Promising 2014 rookie front-seven defenders DeMarcus Lawrence and Anthony Hitchens will expected to step up, especially without that foursome above and with Hardy and Rolando McClain facing early-season suspensions.
Position to watch: It didn’t look like Dallas tried to do much to replace Murray. Maybe the team is confident in Joseph Randle, who actually had the highest yards-per-attempt average in the league among backs with at least 50 carries last season. Randle will compete for reps with veteran Darren McFadden and the potentially solid Lance Dunbar.
Prediction: It’s been 11 years since a team has successfully defended a title in the unpredictable NFC East, but with Lee and Dez Bryant back and reigning NFL passer rating leader Tony Romo well-protected, Dallas should come through and break that slump with another 12-win season and a run to at least the NFC championship game.
