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Tony Pollard Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Three bold predictions for the 2023 Dallas Cowboys

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 6/29/23

After one of the best offseasons in recent memory, Cowboys fans are optimistic about their team’s prospects. After reading our predictions for the upcoming season, they’re going to be even happier.

1. Dallas wins the NFC East

According to OddsChecker.com, Dallas has the second-best odds of winning their division behind Philadelphia in 2023. The Eagles went 14-3 to win the NFC East last year, but if history is any guide, their chances of doing it again aren’t good.

The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat champion since Philadelphia won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Since then, the Cowboys have won their division six times.

Anomalies aside, the Cowboys roster should be as good as any in the NFC this year. With the addition of Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore, the team is deeper than it’s been in years. Philadelphia had their fun in 2022, but now it’s the Cowboys’ turn to win the division.

2. Tony Pollard leads the NFL in rushing

After four years of sharing the backfield with Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard enters 2023 as the Cowboys’ lead back. His 1,007 yards rushing and nine touchdowns last year were both career-highs, but now that Elliott is no longer with the team, Pollard should put up big numbers this year.

Tony Pollard is RB1 #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/nCvxbQlBDT
— Ernie (@es3_09) June 28, 2023

After parting ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, McCarthy announced he’d assume play-calling duties and described his mindset for the upcoming season. “I’ve been where Kellen has been,” McCarthy said. “Kellen wants to light the scoreboard up. But I want to run the damn ball so I can rest my defense.

That can only mean good things for Pollard who’s averaged 5.1 yards per carry for his career. As long as he’s fully recovered from leg and ankle injuries that kept him out of last year’s playoffs, the 26-year-old has a real chance to run away with the league’s rushing title.

3. Micah Parsons wins Defensive Player of the Year

Parsons was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021 and finished second to San Francisco’s Nick Bosa in last year’s DPOY voting. After recording 65 tackles, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 2022, Parsons is the early favorite to win the award in 2023.

For his part, Parsons is getting ready for a big year. The 24-year-old linebacker told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he’s upgraded his home gym and improved his weight-lifting routine in hopes of getting up to 255 pounds by the start of the season.

Although there’s been talk of a move to defensive end, the team insists he’ll remain at linebacker. Regardless of position, Parsons has been a top defensive player since he entered the league and could be the NFL’s best in 2023.

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