Dallas Cowboys Prediction: How Many Games Will America's Team Win in 2018?

Losing Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick and competing in a tough NFC East division with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the up-and-coming New York Giants may have some wondering if the Dallas Cowboys' season is already doomed.

However, a closer look at the roster, schedule and some potential key contributors could very well mean the Cowboys will silence a lot of detractors. Head coach Jason Garrett and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan know the pressure is on to reach the playoffs and the personnel is strong enough to thrive.

Offense

Dallas boasts a young, dual-threat quarterback in Dak Prescott, one of the best rushers in the NFL in Ezekiel Elliott, and a key third-down contributor in Cole Beasley. Frederick could be back in less than two months to help one of the best offensive lines in the league but the unit can't afford any more injuries.

And by the way, the distraction of a certain former wide receiver could do wonders for the locker room. Instead, there is receiving depth for Prescott and he will have an under-rated No. 1 target in Allen Hurns, who will be hungry to prove himself with a new team. Meanwhile, rookie wide receiver Michael Gallup could be an unsung hero.

Is that enough to defeat the Eagles' loaded defense? Well, it's probably good enough to outperform last year's total of 15 points.

Defense

Rod Marinelli's defense is more than capable of overachieving...again. Linebacker Sean Lee is healthy, while DeMarcus Lawrence looks amped up and ready to return to the Pro Bowl. Marinelli can also rely on Randy Gregory, Taco Charlton, Dorance Armstrong and Maliek Collins to have strong seasons.

The numbers support Dallas' defense. The Cowboys are coming off a season in which they finished eighth in total defense (318.1 yards per game), and allowed just seven rushing touchdowns while totaling 38 sacks.

There should also be at least two emerging young players from the linebacking unit and secondary. Cornerback Byron Jones, for example, is one of the most athletic players in football.

Cowboys vs. NFC

The problem for the Cowboys might be the depth of the NFC. Dallas has the seventh-best odds in the NFC to reach the Super Bowl, according to oddsmakers.

It will be difficult to unseat the Eagles, and the Giants have filled a lot of their holes. Both teams are threats to win 10 or more games in 2018.

What Dallas can hope for are strong road showings against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11 and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. Two wins against the Washington Redskins and splits against the Eagles and Cowboys might be enough to reach the playoffs.

Outlook

Expect the Cowboys to finish with at least a 9-7 record — a strong record, but probably not enough to squeak into the playoffs. Even a 10-6 record may not be enough in this year's deep NFC.