Some would argue that Dallas’ season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles answered extra questions than it raised. There have been so many unknowns forward of 2025, and Week 1 gave us a number of issues to really feel higher about for the street forward. However in the long run, the standings don’t care about your emotions. The Cowboys at the moment are 0-1 total and within the NFC East, so there’s work to be accomplished.
Listed below are three questions that Dallas has to reply earlier than internet hosting the Giants subsequent Sunday, and for the rest of the season. And no, “Will CeeDee Lamb maintain dropping passes,” isn’t one among them. He received’t.
Can the go rush enhance?
There are a number of causes that the Cowboys solely registered one sack in Philly, courtesy of Marshawn Kneeland. The largest one was Jalen Hurts, who was implausible that night time along with his pocket presence and decision-making. However simply final yr, the Eagles allowed 45 sacks, placing them proper in the course of all groups. So it’s actually potential to make life more durable for the reigning Tremendous Bowl MVP.
In fact, this subject is infected by what went down with Micah Parsons. However he’s not strolling by way of that door, so let’s discuss who must. Donovan Ezeiruaku confirmed his potential, beating OT Jordan Mailata greater than as soon as. In opposition to most groups, he would’ve recorded his first sack. He practically pressured Hurts into an incompletion within the fourth quarter, however Saquon Barkley made a celebrity catch.
The character of the sport additionally restricted guys like Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas from with the ability to assault up the center. Maintaining Hurts contained turned an issue early, and the Eagles have been hardly ever pressured into clear passing conditions. But when Kenny Clark and the defensive entrance can shut down the run like they did within the second half, most different groups will get extra one-dimensional and make life simpler for the go rushers.
So sure, it’s actually fixable. Matt Eberflus will get extra conversant in his choices and one of the best methods to make the most of them because the season goes on. Ezeiruaku and Kneeland will hopefully blossom with extra taking part in time. And most future opponents received’t current the problem that the Eagles do. Dallas seems to have improved its total run protection from final yr, however now has to show that they didn’t simply commerce one weak point for an additional.
Is Javonte Williams higher than we thought?
One would possibly take a look at Williams’ 15 carries for 54 yards, solely a 3.6 common, and suppose it was a foul begin to his Cowboys tenure. However there’s loads of circumstance in these numbers, and the attention take a look at was a extra correct gauge of how our new RB1 really fared.
Each of Williams’ touchdowns have been on 1st-and-1 carries, which harm his common. Take these away, and he averaged 4.0 on the opposite 13. You give him the contact on Miles Sanders’ 49-yard run, which was principally on account of blocking, and his common goes up tremendously. Total, Williams displayed good imaginative and prescient, decisiveness, and the ability to complete runs for further yards. He seemed nearer to his 2021 rookie kind than the post-injury model we noticed the final two years in Denver.
Now, we’ve to acknowledge that everybody on the Cowboys’ offense benefited from Jalen Carter’s ejection. That’s in all probability more true for Williams than anybody. Subsequent week, in opposition to Dexter Lawrence and the Giants’ defensive entrance, will in all probability be a greater take a look at of simply what this run recreation can actually do in 2025.
Will George Pickens maintain his cool?
Solely 4 targets in a recreation is low in comparison with what Pickens was used to in Pittsburgh. Whereas he is aware of he’s not the franchise WR in Dallas, it’s nonetheless a contract yr for a man who’s already seen his relationship with one staff go bitter. It’s been all enjoyable and video games through the offseason, when apply reps are usually going to go as designed. However within the common season, if Prescott leans extra on Lamb, Ferguson, and his extra acquainted receivers, will Pickens maintain being a very good citizen?
This isn’t a prediction, however only a logical concern given how Pickens’ final marriage ended. Hopefully, future video games enable for a extra balanced assault. The Eagles profitable time-of-possession by about 10 minutes restricted how a lot work Dallas needed to unfold round. And given their familiarity with the opponent, it made sense for Prescott and Lamb to do their factor. Hopefully, Pickens sees that too.
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