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10 things that have to go right for Dallas Cowboys to win the Super Bowl

Mike McCarthy has said his team is on a 21-game plan — that means at least playing in a Super Bowl, if not winning one.

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said his team is on a 21-game plan in 2024. That means at least playing in a Super Bowl, if not winning one.

If McCarthy doesn’t achieve this, changes are likely forthcoming as the coach is in the final year of his contract.

So, in order to have a successful season in Dallas, the Cowboys will need these 10 things to go their way:

Early chemistry

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Receiver CeeDee Lamb missed the majority of training camp in a contract holdout. When he returned, being in shape wasn’t an issue, it was timing with quarterback Dak Prescott. The early portions of the season will determine if Lamb and Prescott can get their act together.

Rookie starter at cornerback

A rookie corner isn’t a big deal. It happens in the NFL. The Cowboys weren’t expecting to start fifth-round pick Caelen Carson at cornerback in Week 1, however. When DaRon Bland, who led the NFL in picks last season, went down with a foot injury, it moved Carson to the first-team defense. How he handles opposing wide receivers until Bland returns in October will say a lot.

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The new Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton reacts as he looks at the franchises five...
The new Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton reacts as he looks at the franchises five Lombardi trophies on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Star in Frisco. Cowboys picked Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round. (Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer)

More rookies on O-line

First-round pick Tyler Guyton will start at left tackle and third-round selection Cooper Beebe will start at center. That’s two rookies starting along the offensive line. Beebe said Prescott trusts him with the line calls, and right tackle Terence Steele said Guyton has been fantastic in camp.

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Run defense

The Cowboys run’ defense allowed 4.2 yards per carry last season. There were problems in stopping the run in key moments of 2023. Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa are the starters at defensive tackle, but late training camp signings Linval Joseph and Jordan Phillips are expected to help the unit.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) signals for a first down after a run during the...
Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) signals for a first down after a run during the first half of an NFL game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Arlington.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)

Running backs

So running-back-by-committee is how the Cowboys will use the running game. Expect Rico Dowdle to get most of the carries early in the season. Ezekiel Elliott was a limited man in camp, and that will be the case once the season starts. If Elliott struggles, expect Dalvin Cook to get promoted from the practice squad. Will Deuce Vaughn have an impact on the offense?

Brandon Aubrey

Mr. Aubrey is someone to worry about? The man made a 66-yard field goal in the preseason. Last season, he went 10-10 on field goals of 50-or-more yards. He converted 94.7% of his kicks. Now, he has to do it again.

Health

The Cowboys lost projected starting defensive end Sam Williams to a knee injury. His spot is expected to be filled by second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland. Bland is out six-to-eight weeks. That’s two starters out before a game is played. The Cowboys can’t afford any more losses to their defense. On offense, a loss of a starter could be devastating. The healthier you are, the better the chances.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts points to his ears before the Eagles were...
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts points to his ears before the Eagles were penalized for delay of game during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Five-game stretch

A key stretch in late October/November against four teams that reached the postseason last year might tell you where this team is headed. Two of those games are at San Francisco and Atlanta. The back end of that stretch, at home against Philadelphia and Houston, is against dynamic quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and C.J. Stroud.

Mike McCarthy and the contract

It’s something that will be brought up most of the season. A slow start will increase the scrutiny he already is under entering the final year of his deal. How he handles everything, especially if the road is bumpy, will let you know how he’s dealing with the pressure.

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Micah Parsons

Can the Cowboys’ best defensive player win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award? He enters the season looking for a big year so that in 2025 he can seek one of the largest contracts in league history. But he has to perform, especially in the postseason.

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