80
× DAK PRESCOTT’S CONTRACT STATUS BE-
COMES A DISTRACTION. Talks drag on be-
cause the fourth-year quarterback is difficult
to appraise. Prescott does many things
well; he commands the field in spread-
empty formations, makes the occasional
big-time throw and poses a
threat as a perimeter run-
ner, keeping edge defend-
ers from attacking down on
Dallas’s zone runs. And this
offense, which features the
league’s best foundational
back (Ezekiel Elliott) and a
top O-line, is built around its
rushing attack. Then there
are the negatives: Prescott’s
arm is merely adequate, and
he’s not always great at read-
ing a field quickly or mak-
ing anticipation passes. Also,
after playing in a limited scheme composed
of iso routes, it’s anyone’s guess how he’d
perform in a more modern offense with
advanced formations and intertwined route
combinations. (It also remains to be seen if
new coordinator Kellen Moore will adopt
such a scheme. Most young coaches do, but
Moore, 30, spent his entire pro career in
predecessor Scott Linehan’s more circum-scribed system.) The Cowboys’ posi-
tion is complicated by a potential cap
crunch, because they also face con-
tract questions with Elliott (who has
been holding out in training camp),
receiver Amari Cooper and some top
defensive players.
× JASON WIT TEN PICKS UP WHERE
HE LEFT OFF. Returning from the
broadcast booth, the 37-year-old
tight end assumes a more limited
role. But the presence of Witten,
whose game has always been built on
technique, helps stabilize the offense.
×JAYLON SMITHAND LEIGHTON VANDER
ESCH BECOME FOOTBALL’S
BEST LINEBACKER DUO.
Smith plays the Bobby Wag-
ner role in the Seahawks-style
scheme of coordinators Rod
Marinelli and Kris Richard.
He is the primary blitzer and,
in man coverage, the run-
ning back defender. Vander
Esch is their K.J. Wright—
the bigger glider who can
battle tight ends. And both
of these ’backers play fast.
×THE COWBOYS FINISH
IN THE TOP FIVE ON D. In
addition to great linebackers, Dallas has
a deep four-man front and a talented,cornerback Byron Jones. The Cover 3–
based zone scheme can easily shift to
man, including on third downs, when the
Cowboys like to bring a “robber” (often
their underappreciated safety Jeff Heath)
down across the middle.WHAT LIES AHEAD
It’s hard to make too bold a forecast without knowing the scheme of first-time
offensive coordinator Moore, but the Cowboys have playoff-level talent.SI’S 2019
PREDICTION
9 – 7
2018 RECORD 10Ð 6
SEP T. 8
VS. NYG
SEP T. 15
@ WAS
SEP T. 22
VS. MIA
SEP T. 2 9
@ NO
OC T. 6
VS. GB
OC T. 1 3
@ N YJ
OC T. 2 0
VS. PHI
OC T. 2 7
BYE
NOV. 4
@ NYG
NOV. 10
VS. MIN
NOV. 17
@ DET
NOV. 24
@ NE
NOV. 28
VS. BUF
DEC. 5
@ CHI
DEC. 15
VS. LAR
DEC. 22
@ PHI
DEC. 29
VS. WAS
St
re
ng
thQB
19
RB
1
WR/TE
15
OL
1
FRONT 7
2
DB
9
JOE
(^) RO
BBI
NS/
GET
TY
IMA
GES
(^) (SM
ITH
); (^) G
RE
G (^) N
ELS
ON