With less than two months left before the NFL regular season kicks off, expectations are generally clear. Teams like the Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, and Lions are widely regarded as the league’s top contenders, while the Giants, Saints, and Browns appear destined for higher picks in the upcoming draft. The NFL’s short 17-game season makes surprises more common than in other sports, where every game carries significant weight.
The Eagles will open the season defending their Super Bowl title against the Dallas Cowboys, a team often overlooked due to a lack of recent playoff success. Despite their long playoff drought, the Cowboys have consistently performed well in recent years, losing only five games each season from 2021 to 2023. Last year’s struggles were mainly due to an early injury to quarterback Dak Prescott, who is now healthy and was a strong MVP contender in 2023.
Adding to their potential, the Cowboys have brought in talented wide receiver George Pickens from the Steelers, and their young running back Jadon Blue has emerged as a dual-threat playmaker. These additions could boost Dallas’ offense significantly. With odds at +190 to make the playoffs and a favorable schedule featuring teams like the Jets, Panthers, Raiders, and Giants, the Cowboys may be undervalued sleepers poised for a postseason return.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys to make the playoffs (+190)
Fan Take: This outlook is exciting for NFL fans because it challenges the narrative that the Cowboys are always underachievers, highlighting their real potential this season. If Dallas makes a strong playoff push, it could shake up the playoff picture and remind everyone that in the NFL, nothing is guaranteed until the final whistle.
