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ESPN Gives 'No Excuse' For Dak Prescott And Cowboys In 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 8:13 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys continue to divide opinion this offseason, with Brian Schottenheimer's team getting predictions at both ends of the spectrum.

Some, like Colin Cowherd, have Dallas getting humiliated every Sunday, while others think the Cowboys are a Wildcard team, and there is no in between.

The offense, on paper, looks to be far better than last season, while the defense is an unknown right now with a host of new faces and coaching staff.

For NFL analyst Ryan Clark, in his 2025 rankings on the Mina Kimes Show, Dallas is at No. 17.

“[George] Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, people don't really recognize how good Jake Ferguson actually is at the tight end position,” Clark said. “But this team has to be better running the football and stopping the run, that is to me what's been the Achilles heel of this team.

"I also think this is a year that Dak Prescott has to find a way to outplay the other two big-time quarterbacks in the division, Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels. Dak has to show that leadership, he has to show that execution in the pass game, there really is no excuse that he shouldn't this year.”

Middle of the pack after last season feels right to us, until Dallas can prove it's better.

If and that's a big if, Dak Prescott can stay healthy, then the Cowboys will be up to their eyeballs in the race for the division, but as Clark points out, Prescott will need to show he can go toe-to-toe with Washington and Philadelphia.

Of course, Dak is 9-4 all-time vs. the Eagles (2-1 vs. Hurts when both start) and is 11-2 against Washington.

So Dak has the history, but now both Washington and Philadelphia are considered top dogs in the NFL, so the Cowboys will have to show they belong.

Can Dak go toe-to-toe with these two NFC beasts? We're going to find out soon enough.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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