DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys rank in the top 10 on ESPN‘s watchability rankings for the upcoming NFL season.
Dallas (6) is one spot ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals and one spot behind the New England Patriots, who won the AFC last season but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
“The Cowboys were not a pleasant watch last season — the defense was so poor that an at-home viewer endured second-hand embarrassment through the television screen,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote. “Dallas was dead last in EPA per drive (minus-0.86), points allowed per drive (2.88) and explosive play rate allowed (13.4%). Have some pride!
“The 2026 Cowboys should be much more watchable. The defense will be good enough to not shame The Star but still poor enough that opposing offenses can put up points and force shootouts. Meanwhile, one of the league’s most dangerous passing attacks (featuring George Pickens, one of the league’s most watchable receivers) returns in full force. Quarterback Dak Prescott was sixth in EPA per dropback last season, and when targeting either Pickens or CeeDee Lamb, he had a QBR of 90.9 and an explosive pass rate of 14.5%. Those are MVP numbers.”
The Cowboys went 7-9-1 last season and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive campaign. They were seventh in the NFL in points per game (27.7) and last in points per game allowed (30.1).
Dallas parted ways with Matt Eberflus as its defensive coordinator and replaced the former Chicago Bears head coach with Christian Parker. The Cowboys’ defense shouldn’t be the worst unit in the NFL again this season with Rashan Gary, Von Miller, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Malachi Lawrence, Caleb Downs and Cobie Durant leading the way.
Meanwhile, Dallas will once again have one of the most explosive offenses in the league this season. Prescott, Pickens and Lamb are an elite “Big 3” and will likely put up stellar numbers in 2026.
Prescott had his fourth 4,000-yard passing season in 2025. He finished with 4,552 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 177 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
In his first season with the Cowboys, Pickens was nothing short of sensational. He finished with 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns en route to making his first Pro Bowl.
Meanwhile, Lamb recorded 75 catches for 1,077 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns last season. The Oklahoma product made his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl team.
The Cowboys begin the 2026 season against the New York Giants. Let’s see how many wins “Big D” gets in Year 2 of the Brian Schottenheimer era.
