On paper, the Dallas Cowboys have one of the best rosters in the National Football League. On offense, the team is loaded with superstar weapons. Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens create plenty of problems for opposing secondaries with their multifaceted skill sets. The two also give quarterback Dak Prescott extremely trustworthy weapons through the air. Prescott can always hand it off to newly extended running back Javonte Williams, too, who runs behind former All-Pro guard Tyler Smith. Dallas is built for the postseason, and here is why they can shake off their rough start and get there.
This article would be incomplete without discussing the defense, which the Cowboys greatly improved after trading for Joey Porter Jr., one of the top names on the 2026 NFL trade market. The former second-rounder was emerging last season. He quickly made his case for the elite tier of cornerbacks, allowing a reception on less than 50% of his targets in 2025. The 47.8% reception rate ranked in the top 10 for all qualified corners. This season, Porter Jr. is backing up his early praise. He has played only two games as a Cowboy but has been targeted four times and has not yet allowed a reception. Dallas sent a few picks to Pittsburgh for a CB who they should ultimately extend and keep for years to come.
Still, the Cowboys rank among the top 10 in yards allowed per game. They also allow the most rush yards per game, giving up 60 more than the next team. These run-game blunders start with fixing the big guys up front. Kenny Clark hasn't been good, and neither has Quinnen Williams, so moving there would help. Williams has shown he can be a true game-changer. The former first-round pick from Alabama was terrific with the Jets. His movement skills at 320 pounds are remarkable. A turnaround for Williams is in the cards. The linebackers have also been worrisome, with Demarvion Overshown boasting a league-low 29.4 PFF grade. Now that the secondary seems to be fixed with the Blue-and-Silver Secondary Presence and free agent acquisition Cobie Durant, the players in front of them need to step up.
The reason that this Dallas team can turn their season around is simple: they can hang 40 points on anyone. Pickens, who has brought down nearly 70% of contested catches, can change the course of a game. Pair him with the sixth highest-graded receiver in the NFL, per PFF, Lamb, and that air attack is set. The team also uses a ton of pulls in the run game because of Smith's dominance. Williams likes to be patient and run behind him, often resulting in four-to-five-yard gains. This rhythmic offense thrives under pressure, so being in close games will not faze them. Dallas doesn't need to be perfect defensively to make a postseason push, but they do need to improve in the trenches and be more disciplined against the run. With an offense capable of keeping pace with anyone and a secondary that has gained a major boost from the second-generation NFL defensive back, the pieces are there for a turnaround. A 2-4 start is far from ideal, but the Cowboys have too much talent to panic just yet.
