After a pretty disappointing follow-up to the 12-4 Cowboys' 2016 season, Cowboys fans around the world are ready to see their favorite team bounce back in 2018. With their eyes locked on a sixth Lombardi Trophy, the team is thriving for postseason success.
However, lots of challenges will be on the way for them.
From working with an overhauled wide receiver position to replacing their future Hall of Famer tight end, things will look different for the Dak Prescott-led Dallas Cowboys.
Among all of these challenges, though, the toughest one will begin within the division. Last season, the Cowboys were desperately fighting for a playoff berth while the Philadelphia Eagles continued to dominate every opponent that faced them.
The Eagles eventually became Super Bowl Champions without Carson Wentz and other starters, giving the Cowboys a painful slap on the face by showing their capability of overcoming key injuries.
Heading into the 2018 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys' job will be to win the NFC East title and strip it away from the Eagles. Ultimately, though… how much will it matter which of the two teams is crowned the NFC East Champion?
If the Cowboys deliver and go back to their 2016 form, they'll be playing in January. Both the Eagles and the Cowboys have had solid offseasons, and with enough talent on their rosters, it's likely we'll see them both in the playoffs when the time comes.
The NFC is expected to be way more competitive than the AFC and for good reason. In some AFC divisions, only one team truly stands out (like the Patriots in the AFC East).
On the other hand, there's competition at every division on the National side of things. The Falcons, Saints and Panthers are all legitimate playoff contenders on the south division. The Vikings on the north will be challenged by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. And well, the west will feature one hell of a battle between the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks.
As powerful as these contenders are, the Dallas Cowboys should be in that level.
It's fairly easy to scratch off any team coming from a 9-7 season. But with Ezekiel Elliott ready to go, and a reloaded offensive line with Connor Williams filling a huge void at left guard, America's Team should be able to dominate defenses with a powerful running game like in 2016.
Not to mention Dak Prescott is going into his third year in the NFL, which should be the best one yet after learning from a ton of adversity and going to the QB learning curve last season. Oh, and for the first time in years, the defense looks like a legit unit.
Will the Cowboys have to earn a Wildcard spot in order to play in January? Playing in the same division than the defending Super Bowl champions, it might be necessary. Or it could very well be the other way around. The Eagles and the Cowboys will battle for everything during the regular season.
With so many quality teams fighting for Wildcard berths in the NFC, it won't be an easy feat for any of these teams. This might just make the NFC East Title battle all the more interesting.
It's one of those seasons in which it seems like the two times these two teams face each other – one time in November and the other one in December – will define the division.
Even still, the second team in the race will likely make the playoffs. The NFC East could host two of the best teams in the 2018 NFL season if the Cowboys do manage to bounce back, which they'll probably do.
Get ready to see both the Eagles and the Cowboys playing in January, and who knows? Maybe they find a way to face each other in the NFC Championship game.
September should hurry and get here already.
