Ten Things I Think I Know About The Dallas Cowboys

We look at the state of the Dallas Cowboys through the first four games of the regular season with the ten things I think I know about America’s Team.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; The Dallas Cowboys celebrate stopping a first down conversion by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (left) during the fourth quarter at Levi

We’ve all seen this one play out before. The Dallas Cowboys are forced to play without their pro bowl quarterback and all-pro wide receiver due to injury.

Sprinkle in some suspensions and a few other health related absences and this team loses… a lot. Why; we all witnessed the catastrophe in Dallas a season ago under these circumstances, so it’s safe to assume that..

wait.. what?

another win..

a NFL leading rusher

a down fourteen, come-from-behind victory on the road?!

After the terrible, injury-plagued season that saw Dallas wither away to the prize of the number four overall pick, many thought this team would suffer a similar fate after some early injury setbacks again. Fortunately for Cowboys nation those thoughts have yet to come to fruition as the Cowboys are sitting at 3-1 with a quarter of the season already come and gone.

So what gives?

Well here are some of the things I think, that I know, four games into the season:

I think that I know Dak Prescott is undoubtedly the quarterback of the future. No one really would’ve imagined that Prescott would be playing the way that he has or that we would be so sure of him so soon.

Yet, here we are. Week in and week out the kid just continues to impress. Whether it be a two-minute drive to score before the half or erasing a 14-point deficit to win by seven. Dak has met every challenge and then conquered it.

The way that this rookie quarterback has been able to set his feet and go through his reads, without getting rattled, wow.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) intercepts the ball during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

I think that I know that Mo Claiborne is the MVP of this defense so far. The way that he is playing has been phenomenal. The 5 year pro out of LSU has been playing up to his draft position and perhaps then some. He just looks like a different player this year. If you ever wanted to see proof that confidence is a real factor in the play of professional athletes look no further than Mo. It’s hard not to root for the guy and the way he is playing right now, there’s no reason not to.

I think that I know that Ezekiel Elliot is going to have a monster season. There was some hesitation on my end after the first two games of the season, but we are finally starting to see the patience and the vision from the rookie. While his running and his hurdling has been impressive, to me his most impressive trait thus far has been his pass blocking. Man, 21 is going to do everything he can to keep these quarterbacks clean. A fantastic sight to see.

I think that I know that Cole Beasley is going to snag 100 catches this season. Dak has developed a really great rapport with the former undrafted SMU product. Right now he is on pace for 92 catches but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a few ten catch games this year. The fact that Tony Romo may come back would only help his case.

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I think that I know safety J.J. Wilcox is performing better than anyone who watches the team would’ve predicted. He had a game saving tackle against the Redskins and a huge pass break up against the Niners. He seems to be around the ball more and in better position to make the right play. He has always been a physical player but I think we may be seeing more technique on his part.

I think that I know this coaching staff deserves some credit. Hate Jason Garrett all that you want but you need to look at what he and his staff has done in these last four games and tip your hat. For a team with some many injuries and so many suspensions and short comings, they sit right in the thick of things.

Three wins in four games to start and NFL season is impressive. To do it with a 4th round rookie quarterback, a rookie running back, your best defensive lineman and best linebacker canned for an extended period of time? Spectacular. Now they find a way to win without their best wide receiver and best offensive lineman.

Coach Garrett and his staff have been able to acquire and hold onto valuable depth and it is really starting to show. Of course they may have struck gold on the biggest piece of this winning puzzle, Dak Prescott. But therein lies a tale for another day.

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and players celebrate after a defensive stop during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

I think that I know Tony Romo still give this team the best chance to win.

I think that I know the move of Tyrone Crawford to defensive end was the right one. This Cowboys team has so much depth in the middle of that defensive line that not only did it make the most sense, it looks like it is already paying. With that being said…

I think that I know DeMarcus Lawrence’s return could vastly improve this defense. I don’t know if he is going to come in and average a sack a game right away, but he should make an immediate impact.

If Lawrence is able to continue the level of play that he showed in the offseason camps then this defense may be able to take a step up in its level of play. With the players they have at defensive tackle and Crawford at the other tackle spot this defensive line suddenly doesn’t look so lackluster.

I think that I know this Cowboys team wins eleven games. Can’t see them finishing worse than 9-7. You have to think that they have winnable games against the Bengals, @Browns, Ravens, Redskins, @Vikings, @Giants, Buccaneers, Lions (home games in bold).

That tallies 11 wins without the Cowboys taking a game against the Eagles which is very likely. If you look at those games they all seem winnable based on the way the team is playing right now. Which is another credit to Jason Garrett and his staff for having this team sitting at 3 wins with twelve left to play.