Most of the 2020 season was a disappointment for the Dallas Cowboys. Not just for the fans either, for the entire organization. It was a season marred by injuries, mainly a gruesome one dealt to QB Dak Prescott. However, the Cowboys still finished the 2020 season with a 6-10 record, led by QB Andy Dalton. Strangely enough, this 6-10 record nearly got them into the playoffs. Only narrowly losing the division to the Washington Football Team, who had a 7-10 record.
The NFC East was the worst division in the NFC last season. This is actually great news for the Cowboys, who are in a great place to take over in 2021. Dallas has the best odds to take the division this year, and with the division come the playoffs. Dak Prescott, along with Ezekiel Elliot, should be healthy to start the season as well. This gives them their one-two punch back and both of their leaders. Bettors are now wondering if the Cowboys might even have a chance to take the entire NFC.
2021 Dallas Cowboys Futures Betting Odds
Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion Odds: +3000
Dallas Cowboys Conference Champion Odds: +1400
Dallas Cowboys Win Totals Odds: Over 9.5 (+110) / Under 9.5 (-140)
Dallas Cowboys NFC East Champion Odds: +135
As the team with the best odds to win the NFC East means oddsmakers expect a return to the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys last made the playoffs in 2018, which isn’t very long ago. The decline we saw from the Cowboys last season was solely due to injuries. Had Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot played the entire season, the Cowboys would’ve won the NFC East. As of now, there isn’t a team in the division more talented than the Cowboys. This was also their first season under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, a coach who already won a Super Bowl.
The Cowboys are set up for success this season, and we should expect it. The most competition they’ll face in the division is from Philadelphia. The Eagles are experiencing their own identity crisis right now, giving Dallas an opening. In 2019, the Dallas Cowboys finished 8-8, and the organization knew something wasn’t right. This is what led to the firing of head coach Jason Garrett and the hiring of McCarthy. Had it not been for injuries, we could’ve seen the Cowboys having similar success as the 2018 season.
2021 Dallas Cowboys Offseason Grade: C-
Key Additions: (OLB, Micah Parsons), (ILB, Jabril Cox), (LB, Keanu Neal)
Key Departures: (DT, Antwaun Woods), (C, Marcus Henry)
The Dallas Cowboys didn’t make waves in free agency like other teams, but it’s for a reason. Dallas didn’t really need any extra additions to the lineup, as they were already set. The problem through the 2020 season was injuries, not lack of talent. With the return of Dak Prescott, the Cowboys are already set for a better 2021. They possess the best receiving corps in the NFC East and a premier running back. This made it easier for them to focus on one facet that needed to be addressed in the offseason, defense.
The Cowboys’ defense allowed nearly thirty points per game last season. Anyone who watches football will tell you that no offense can help a defense allowing that many points. They made additions where they felt were a problem. This resulted in a brand new linebacker group, led by the rookie, Micah Parsons. Parsons was a premier prospect from Penn State and should be a great addition to the roster. With the return of key players on offense, and the retooling of the defense, expect a better 2021 from Dallas.
Dallas Cowboys 2021 Preview
Although oddsmakers might not think the Cowboys will be a force in the NFC, we do. They were a team missing vital pieces last season, pieces that will return in 2021. Dak Prescott finally got the contract he was looking for and will have to live up to the money. He’s also healthy, and hopefully, can stay that way. Ezekiel Elliott has already mentioned his dissatisfaction with his performance in 2020, so expect a better year from him. Overall, the Cowboys will easily take the NFC East and could go deep into the playoffs in 2021, but can they win the 2022 Super Bowl?
Dallas Cowboys 2021 Futures Best Bets
Obviously, the Cowboys should be your first choice if you’re planning to bet on the winner of the NFC East. The other teams in the division just can’t compete with the talent. The win total is another place you could make some money as well. Currently, the total sits at 9.5, meaning the Cowboys have to win ten games to go over. We could see the Cowboys winning ten games this year due to a generous schedule.
Read our Seahawks team preview 2021 and Packer team preview 2021 next. We have team previews for every single NFL team.
