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Are the Dallas Cowboys a Top-10 Offense Heading Into 2023?

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America’s Team can’t escape expectations. Jerry Jones is 80. Despite possessing the league’s 10th-best EPA per play a season ago, even with Dak Prescott missing five games, the Dallas Cowboys allowed Kellen Moore to seek other opportunities as an offensive play-caller. Mike McCarthy will now take over those duties in Dallas.

And with what appears to be a top-five defense heading into 2023, a divisional showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles seems to be the cream of the NFC crop, depending on what happens with the San Francisco 49ers’ defense.

But can the Cowboys’ offense become more turnover averse once again while also maintaining a level of efficiency and explosiveness in the passing attack?

The Dallas Cowboys’ 2023 Offense

Prescott, Tony Pollard, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandin Cooks are an upgrade from what Dallas fielded a season ago. But what might be even more exciting is the prospect of Michael Gallup being back to his old self, which would give the Cowboys three legitimate threats on the outside.

“(Last year) I was thinking too much,” Gallup told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “My knee was feeling sore, and it was just different. Last year at this time I couldn’t walk. It’s different now. I feel springy again. It just feels different. It’s kind of like in the air. I’m smiling every time I walk in that facility.”

Cooks has been somewhat of a journeyman throughout his NFL career. At one point from 2016-2018, he posted three consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards… on three different teams!

MORE: NFC East QB Rankings 2023 — Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott Battle for Divisional Supremacy

The veteran brings an element to the Cowboys’ offense that didn’t exist a season ago; speed. And if one thing has become clearer over the past few NFL seasons, it’s that speed is the single greatest advantage a team can have on offense. Look no further than the Miami Dolphins with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. In a world of two-high defenses trying to take away explosive plays, having the speed to threaten safeties vertically is a must.

And if Pollard remains as explosive as he was a season ago, the rushing attack should provide some splash plays for the offense as well.

Offensive Line Is Dallas’ Biggest Unknown

The offensive line is the most significant unknown surrounding Dallas’ offensive proficiency in 2023. In March, during the owner’s meetings in Arizona, McCarthy discussed looking at Terence Steele at guard.

“I mean, we’re talking about it,” McCarthy told reporters. “Yeah, we’re talking about it. We haven’t got in there with those guys yet. [The] offseason program starts in April, but yeah, we’ll definitely … we’re looking at all those things.”

Maybe McCarthy and the eldest Jones should have talked before the meetings, though, because it sounded like Jerry had other ideas.

“He’s such a top tackle … as we have it right now, he should be the backup tackle on both sides as we would look at it right today,” Jones said during the NFL owners’ meetings.

“That’s a lot of position flex right there. You say, ‘Why don’t you move Tyler [Smith] in (to guard)?’ But we also know that Tyron [Smith] and Tyler both would make quite a tandem out there. The smart play would be to have outstanding depth there, and Steele gives you that.”

dallas cowboys
Oct 16, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Terence Steele (78) blocks Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The thing is, Dallas didn’t select a guard in the 2023 NFL Draft. Which, ironically, could be the best thing for the Cowboys’ Week 1 OL rotation.

Tyron Smith – Tyler Smith – Tyler Biadasz – Zack Martin – Terence Steele

That’s a unit that the Cowboys can win with on offense. The issue is their Week 1 line won’t look the same all season, and that is simply an unwelcome inevitability at this point. Tyron is a fantastic LT, but he hasn’t been dependable in well over half a decade at this point. He’s only managed to play a 17-game season over the past three campaigns combined.

MORE: Dallas Cowboys Coaching Staff 2023

And that would move everything around. Tyler Smith would slide back to left tackle, while one of Asim Richards, Matt Waletzko, or Chuma Edoga would slide into the starting left guard spot.

But Steele is also coming off a serious knee injury. And although he’s reportedly ahead of schedule, there’s no guarantee that he’ll come back as the same player he was becoming.

The Cowboys’ 2022 Offense by the Numbers

The Cowboys’ offense wasn’t the most efficient offense at all times a season ago, but it had no problem scoring at a high level, particularly when Prescott was on the field.

Dallas finished sixth in points per drive and ranked 10th in offensive drive success rate. They also finished the year ninth in dropback EPA and 13th in rushing EPA. There’s really nothing to suggest that the Cowboys weren’t a top-10 offense a season ago when Prescott was on the field.

All of that is in spite of the fact that Prescott led the league in interceptions despite missing five games. His interception percentage went from always hovering below 1.9% to 3.8% in 2023. Prescott almost surely won’t turn the ball over that much again this season because it was never an issue for him previously.

Are the Cowboys a Top-10 Offense in 2023?

According to PFN’s own Arif Hasan, yes. However, they barely found a way to sneak into the meeting. Hasan ranked Dallas as having the 10th-best offense heading into the 2023 NFL season, with some serious competition around them.

The Jacksonville Jaguars — ranked just below Dallas — could have something to say. And although Hasan believes that the Detroit Lions are a likely regression candidate, they have a returning play-caller, QB, OL, and offensive weapons aside from D’Andre Swift, who they replaced with Jahmyr Gibbs.

MORE: Are the Dallas Cowboys a Top-3 Defense Heading Into 2023?

Although there’s uncertainty surrounding the 49ers’ QB situation at the moment, Kyle Shanahan has proven that as long as he’s not down to his fourth option, the offense can remain efficient because of his schematic ingenuity and the team’s talent.

It’s hard to see how the Cowboys’ offense can be much better than hovering around 10th in the league. Dallas will be a top-10 offense in 2023, but they likely won’t be able to crack the top five. And in the end, it will be their defense that carries them.

As long as Prescott remains healthy, the team should have regular-season success. But neither the Cowboys’ organization nor the fans care about a division title or a Wild Card win.

If Dallas doesn’t reach the NFC Championship Game, the season was a failure.



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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said. 

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted. 

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.





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