Dallas Cowboys 2016 preview: It's up to Dak Prescott to save the day
The Cowboys had every reason to be optimistic heading into 2016, right up until Tony Romo broke his back in the team's third preseason game. Dallas went just 1-11 in 2015 with Romo sidelined, so the Cowboys addressed the backup quarterback position by drafting Dak Prescott – who’s looked stellar in the preseason. There is massive excitement surrounding the rookie, but if he's not sharp in the regular season the countdown to Romo's return quickly will be all Cowboys fans are talking about. Fortunately, rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott is expected to excel in the backfield from Week 1 on, and a return to health for Dez Bryant should make Prescott's job easier. The questions come on the defensive side of the ball, but having one of the league’s five easiest schedules should help even things out. The Cowboys will almost certainly be better in 2016; the only question is just how high of a ceiling this team can reach -- especially with a new QB.
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Bryant was plagued by a foot injury last season, and that (along with Romo’s injury) was enough to result in statistics that were the worst of his six-year career. Now that he's healthy entering 2016, Bryant should have no trouble playing like the guy who hauled in a league-leading 16 TDs in 2014. FANTASY SPIN
The team initially wanted Elliott to earn his place as a starter, but once Darren McFadden went down for at least two months with an elbow injury, the job immediately became the rookie's. Elliott will be expected to jump in right away as a three-down back who will give Dallas all it needs from the running back position. FANTASY SPIN
Scandrick missed the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL and MCL, and his absence was at least partly responsible for a Cowboys secondary that was one of the league’s worst. Dallas is again expected to struggle defensively, but Scandrick plays with an edge that the team hopes will become contagious enough to help improve things overall.
Romo's injury sunk his value, but what about tight end Jason Witten? He's still ranked 13th among tight ends, right around where he was before Romo's injury. Maybe Prescott will use Witten as a security blanket, but Romo threw to him plenty.
(All lines courtesy of Bovada.com, as of 8/31)
Season win total over/under: 8 (over -115, under -115)
Odds to win the Super Bowl: 28/1. The Cowboys need to find a stiffer pass rush in 2016 after finishing last season in the bottom 10 in sacks and yards per pass attempt from opposing QBs. But with Romo hurt, the odds took a hit. At 28/1, it might be worth a shot that Romo returns healthy and they get hot at the right time.
One thing we wish we could bet on: When Cowboys fans will declare Prescott a permanent replacement for Romo. Some Dallas fans didn't seem too bothered by Romo's injury given that the team was awful without him last season. If Prescott starts strong, his bandwagon will get crowded in a hurry.
September 18, at Washington
Dallas opens the season with consecutive games against division rivals, which almost doesn't seem fair. After Week 1 at home against the Giants, the Cowboys get the Redskins in Washington as their opponents are coming off of a short week. Might be a good chance to steal one on the road against the defending division champs.
October 16, at Green Bay
The Packers are projected to compete for the NFC crown this season, so this is as good a chance as any for a healthy Cowboys team to see exactly what it has on the road in one of the league's toughest environments.
January 1, at Philadelphia
The Eagles aren't supposed to be very good this season, but funny things seem to happen in the NFC East. A division game on the road to close out the season should impact playoff positioning if things go as expected in Dallas.
We say: 6-10
WhatIfSports simulation says: 7-9
-- Brett Pollakoff, John Halpin (fantasy), Andrew Lynch (betting)
