Posted at 6:00 a.m.
Will the Cowboys reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 27 years?
Until they achieve some success in the playoffs, they can’t really be considered legitimate contenders. In the past 27 years, they have not even obtained one of the 54 places available to play in a conference final… In comparison, from 1970 to 1995, Dallas had appeared in the National final 14 times! As is often the case, it is not a question of talent. The Cowboys have some great players, including Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. The problem is that they still haven’t learned how to win the important games.
Is Mike McCarthy the man for the job in Dallas?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he wouldn’t have kept McCarthy if he didn’t believe his team could win a championship with him. McCarthy won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers 12 years ago, but his rating has dropped significantly since then. He has often made questionable decisions since taking charge of the Boys, and his arrival has not solved the club’s fickleness. Sean Payton said he wanted to take a year off before returning to the world of coaching. Since rumors of a union between him and the Cowboys have been circulating, no one would be surprised to see him on the sidelines in 2023.
Will quarterback Jalen Hurts establish himself as a strong starter over the next few months?
We already know that Hurts is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with his legs, he who led the players to his position and the Eagles with 784 yards rushing in 2021. But is he capable of being a passer? quality ? We should get the answer this season, since the Eagles acquired the excellent AJ Brown from the Tennessee Titans. Brown joins a group of receivers that also includes DeVonta Smith, who led the team with 916 passing yards in his first season, tight end Dallas Goedert, as well as backup receivers Zach Pascal, Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor. Hurts is also protected by a very good line, so there are no more excuses. If he doesn’t play well, the Eagles will be in a good position to find his successor in the draft, as they have two first-round picks.
PHOTO MATT ROURKE, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts
Will the Commanders defense play up to their potential or have they been overplayed?
It would be hard for the unit not to be better than last year, but just how much remains to be seen. The organization is bullish on its offense thanks to the acquisition of veteran quarterback Carson Wentz and the selection of wideout end Jahan Dotson in the first round, but this team’s success hinges on its defense. The Commanders have four former top picks on their defensive front, including Chase Young, and good cornerbacks in William Jackson III, Kendall Fuller and Quebec’s Benjamin St-Juste, whose rookie season was sadly marred by concussions. If Jack Del Rio’s defense bounces back, the Commanders could challenge for first place in the East. If she doesn’t, head coach Ron Rivera likely won’t be back in the U.S. capital in 2023.
Where are the Giants headed?
Not sure that they themselves know… What we do know is that this will be quarterback Daniel Jones’ last chance to do justice to the team. The Giants opted out of the option year on his contract for 2023. If Jones and the offense continue to struggle, running back Saquon Barkley, who was the second prospect selected in 2018, and receiver Kenny Galloday, who earns an annual salary of 18 million, are two other players who could find themselves unemployed. Luckily for those three players and the offense, new head coach Brian Daboll is considered one of the best offensive players in American football. The defense hasn’t been as bad as the attack in 2021, but we’re certainly not talking about a dominant group. The Giants are 22-59 since 2017 and have already had five head coaches since Tom Coughlin left after the 2015 season.