There are two reasons the Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl in 2021: Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott.
Mr. Conservative Jason Garrett was finally shown the door, and the Cowboys now have someone with a championship coaching pedigree, one that has no soft spots or allegiances, and that can turn Dallas into a killer offensive machine, rather than just a ho-hum threat.
McCarthy, who brings with him on Super Bowl ring and a 125-77-2 career coaching record, will easily make the transition into this franchise and should blend well with Prescott. That was important from the outset, the chemistry between those two. After all, Prescott had been used to the system he’s been running for four seasons.
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Nothing, for the most part has changed, save for a few minor adjustments. Prescott still has Kellen Moore calling the plays, and coming off a season in which he set personal bests with 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns, he’s also gambling on himself.
That’s the second part of the equation and why so much relies on him. Prescott is playing this season under the franchise tag, and that means it’s up to him to prove he deserves Pat Mahomes-like digits on his payroll check. Basically, in my eyes, he needs to win a Super Bowl. And with running back Ezekiel Elliott still in the backfield, and those two behind one of the best offensive lines in the game, it’ll be fun to watch this team’s transformation from soft powerhouse, to ferocious contender.
They just never had the killer instinct under Garrett. They will under McCarthy.
Now, who are they going to beat? This ought to be fun, as I want to bring the 1990s nostalgia for you.
5ï¸âƒ£ storylines for #LARvsDAL
Big Picture | @essilorusa
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 8, 2020
Did you read my column last week? My top team to watch when listing five things to keep an eye on? The Buffalo Bills are my sleeper to come out of the AFC.
I know, I know, the Kansas City Chiefs… blah, blah, blah. Teams just aren’t repeating like they used to. Well, not like those early 1990 Cowboys teams that dominated the Bills and eventually the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996.
It’s put up or shut up time for quarterback Josh Allen, the kid nobody really likes once you get past Cheektowaga, N.Y. He’s had his doubters, that’s for sure. But what if I told you he will create enough of a buzz where people might whisper those three letters: M-V-P.
Oof! Yeah, I said it.
He looked remarkably improved as a passer last season, and this year he has Stefon Diggs to bolster his confidence. The Bills have bulked up their already talented defense that ranked No. 3 overall last season. They also had the second-best scoring defense that allowed just 16.2 points per game. So imagine having a defense so good, that your chances increase two-fold, and you have ample opportunities to move the ball and put points on the board. Such will be the case with Allen.
Once the Bills get rolling, the motivation will be flowing, and they’ll be that one NFL team everyone is talking about down the stretch. Sort of like San Francisco last season.
I’m being 90s nostalgic with you. Cowboys over the Bills in Super Bowl LV.
Sunday
Dolphins +6.5 at Patriots: Miami named Ryan Fitzpatrick its starter this week and coming out of the gate strong is important. DOLPHINS
Browns at Ravens -7.5: I don’t know if Cleveland can contain quarterback Lamar Jackson to be quite honest with you. Baltimore isn’t resting on its laurels and have the overall better talent. RAVENS
Jets at Bills -6.5: Did I read this right? Is New York bringing five quarterbacks to Orchard Park? What sort of message does that send? I love my projected AFC champion to come out swinging. BILLS
Raiders -3 at Panthers: Forget the talk of the Silver and Black struggling on defense. I love the additions of defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and defensive tackle Maliek Collins.
Also, look for Henry Ruggs III to make a splash in his pro debut. RAIDERS
Cardinals +7 at 49ers: Arizona played the Niners rather competitively last season, and will be hyped for this opener. This NFC West rivalry is barking at us. CARDINALS
Monday
Titans pick’em at Broncos: With this one on national television, I have to believe nobody on the Broncos is going to stop Derrick Henry from running wild. TITANS