The NFL offseason is a fickle beast.
Approximately seven months between the Super Bowl and Week 1 of the following season are jam packed with predictions.
Some make sense. Some are a little bold. Others are downright lazy, and used just for headlines.
The Cowboys are usually victims of the latter, and it leads to unrealistic expectations most times.
Those takes that don’t garner unrealistic expectations lean completely in the opposite direction, blatantly ignoring the obvious.
Again, Dallas is usually victim of the latter.
Week 1 of the season is important because it helps us prove or dispel these offseason narratives.
Let’s take a look at a few of the Cowboys narratives prior to Week 1, specifically versus the Giants, and how they were either proven or busted.
Cowboys Have No Answer For Darren Waller
Narrative: Busted
Let’s just start with Giants’ TE Darren Waller’s stat line. Five targets, three receptions for 36 yards.
Dallas, even without an injured S Donovan Wilson, showed up and showed out in New York.
S Jayron Kearse drew coverage on Waller most of the time. Surprisingly, newest addition CB Stephon Gilmore was matched up with Waller quite a few times.
Waller’s first target was a scramble drill where QB Daniel Jones tried to force it to him, and it was intercepted by Gilmore.
All of Waller’s three catches came on the Giants next drive.
Two short receptions followed by a big 22 yard gain on a 4th & 5 play where Jones was running for his life.
The rest of the game he was deleted.
Evan Neal and Andrew Thomas Will Stonewall the Cowboys’ D-Line
Narrative: Busted
The Giants field two offensive tackles that were both top seven picks in the NFL draft.
Andrew Thomas is in his fourth season, and by all accounts should be an elite offensive tackle based on his draft stock.
Evan Neal is in his sophomore campaign, and was considered a freak out of Alabama.
Talking heads predicted that the interior of the Cowboys defensive line would have to do work or Jones would go virtually untouched.
Both Thomas and Neal looked like rookies last night versus this Cowboys dominant defensive line.
Dallas recorded seven total sacks, and had an eighth wiped away by a questionable defensive holding penalty.
Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Sam Williams, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler gave Thomas and Neal fits all night long.
Their effort led to sacks by interior guys Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston.
The Giants’ bookends had no answer.
Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams Will Destroy the Cowboys Interior O-Line
Narrative: Busted
We have to give credit where credit is due.
The interior defensive line of the Giants is one of the best in the league, and they’re led by Pro Bowlers Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams.
Dallas’ offseason was filled with the big question of who would play left guard after Tyron Smith inevitably gets injured, forcing Tyler Smith to kick outside.
In a stroke of irony, Tyler is the one who strained his hamstring in the week leading up to the game, and was ruled out on Saturday.
The Cowboys had three options to fill in. Veteran Chuma Edoga or their choice of rookie, Asim Richards or T.J. Bass.
Edoga got the start, and Cowboys Nation was biting their nails prior to the game, expecting the worst.
Williams and Lawrence combined for six tackles, two quarterback hits, zero tackles for loss, and zero sacks.
Tony Pollard averaged 5.0 yards per carry on 14 attempts.
I’d say the interior line of the Cowboys handled them pretty well.
Dallas Has the Best Cornerback Duo In the NFL
Narrative: Proven
The addition of Stephon Gilmore to this defense appears to be one of the most underrated moves of the offseason.
Of course if you are a Cowboys fan, you knew exactly what Dallas was getting.
People who don’t want to see Dallas succeed were saying Gilmore was washed, and wouldn’t make a difference.
That was proven wrong Sunday night.
Here are Trevon Diggs and Gilmore’s combined stats:
- 7 tackles
- 4 passes defensed
- 1 interception
- 1 forced fumble
It’s also important to note that the Giants’ entire wide receiver corps accounted for only five receptions for 41 yards.
If you want to throw DaRon Bland in there, you can.
Bland finished with 3 tackles, 1 pass defensed, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, and 1 interception returned 22 yards for a touchdown.
Not only could Dallas have the best cornerback duo in the league, they may also have the top trio.