The Dallas Cowboys made headlines earlier in the year with a couple of trades. These moves signify to the ever-so-loyal fanbase that the team is serious about winning.
Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones is making a statement.
The Cowboys finished the 2022-2023 season with a 12-5 record. They beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round. This was their fourth playoff victory since 2003.
Dallas would then fall short against longtime NFC Conference rival the San Francisco 49ers.
The divisional round game against the 49ers showed the Cowboys’ strengths. However, it also showed their weaknesses.
In a game that ended with an embarrassing drive in a last-second effort, the Cowboys have some holes to fill.
Weakness #1 — Kicker
Brett Maher was money during the regular season for the Cowboys. During the 2022 campaign, he completed 29 field goals out of 32 attempts.
Maher also made 50 extra points out of 53 attempts. Maher didn’t find success in the playoffs, unfortunately.
The kicker position is one of the most important positions in the game.
One kick can make or break your season. Maher struggled in the 2023 playoffs. Against Tampa Bay, Maher made one extra point out of five attempts.
He didn’t attempt a field goal in this game.
Due to his struggles, the Cowboys had to alter their game plan against San Francisco.
Instead of opting for a field goal in normal circumstances, we saw the Cowboys go for it on 4th down when in field goal range.
With under two minutes left in the first half, the Cowboys were met with their first challenge.
Do they kick the field goal from the 49ers’ 35 or go for it? On 4th and 4, Head Coach Mike McCarthy decided to go for it. It was a successful call, as Dak Prescott scrambled for nine yards obtaining the first down.
Unfortunately, two plays later Prescott threw an interception.
Tied at 6-6 the 49ers were able to get a field goal ending the half up 9-6.
While the Cowboys currently don’t have a kicker signed to the team, many fans are split on welcoming back Maher to the team.
Other options include signing free agent Kicker Robbie Gould or signing an undrafted rookie.
Weakness #2 — Turnovers
Dak Prescott only played 12 games this season.
An injury he sustained to his thumb during kickoff weekend sidelined him for five games. Although only playing 12 games, Prescott threw a career-high 15 interceptions.
Before the 2022-2023 season, his career-high interceptions came during his sophomore year where he threw 13 picks.
A team with aspirations of competing for and winning the Super Bowl has to do a better job of protecting the football.
There could be arguments that Prescott is off the hook for a couple of those picks, as the ball hit the targeted receiver in their hands.
The Dallas Cowboys traded for Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans.
This move should help Prescott lower his interception count. Having a player of Cooks’s caliber gives Prescott another weapon to utilize.
Addressing these weaknesses is a testament to how serious the Cowboys are with their goal of winning the Super Bowl.
Many games during the 2022-2023 season were decided by a field goal or an interception. Fixing these two issues makes the Cowboys a stronger team.
