The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2021 NFL season as the overwhelming favorite to win the NFC East division title. While many picked them to win the division, their stance as a potential Super Bowl contender was unclear. However, through the first 10 weeks of the season, the Cowboys have made it clear that they are a very real threat to represent the NFC in the Big Game.
Jerry Jones has to be loving what he has seen from his team. Granted, the Cowboys did show some weaknesses two weeks ago in a brutal loss to the Denver Broncos, but they bounced back strong with a dominant 43-3 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Following their big Week 10 win over the Falcons, the Cowboys improved to 7-2 on the season. That places them third in the NFC standings at this point in the season. They are trailing just the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers.
Dallas has shown off a much-improved defense so far this season, and the offense has been playing up to its potential as well. Led by Dak Prescott, the Cowboys' passing game has been tough for opposing defenses to slow down. Ezekiel Elliott has also had a bounce-back season on the ground and has been a force to be reckoned with once again.
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at three main keys for the Cowboys to remain legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
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3 keys for Dallas Cowboys to be Super Bowl contenders
3. The defense must stay solid and make plays
At the start of the season, no one knew what to expect from the defense. Last season, they struggled almost every week, which ended up being one of their biggest downfalls. This season, they have seen Trevon Diggs play like a playmaking superstar and rookie linebacker Micah Parsons has stepped up in a huge way as well.
One of the biggest surprises of the season was the Cowboys making the decision to release veteran linebacker Jaylon Smith. Not only have they not missed him, but his release actually improved the defense. Fans who have watched Smith play over the last two years would understand why they improved without him.
If the Cowboys want to make a run at a Super Bowl appearance, they are going to need the defense to remain solid and keep up the elite playmaking. Even if they don't have a top-five defense, forcing turnovers can make up for that. Dallas must make sure to keep up what it has been doing so far on the defensive side of the football.
2. Keep Dak Prescott upright and healthy
Secondly, and most obviously, the Cowboys have to protect their franchise quarterback. Prescott has put on a show this season, and his offensive line must keep him upright and healthy. Losing Prescott would result in Dallas immediately tanking in the standings.
Prescott has completed 70.3 percent of his pass attempts for 2,341 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He has also picked up 91 yards and a touchdown on the ground. When he is healthy, Prescott is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and a definite MVP candidate.
As long as the Cowboys have Prescott leading the offense, they are going to be a dangerous team to play. Does he have enough to power Dallas to the Super Bowl? That is a question that only time will give us an answer too.
However, with weapons like Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup, Prescott will have a great opportunity to take the Cowboys in a run into the playoffs as a potential contender.
1. Dallas must keep involving Ezekiel Elliott and keep him going
Finally, the Cowboys were in desperate need of Elliott figuring things out and getting back to being a workhorse running back. So far this season, has has shown the ability to rise to the occasion. Elliott has taken a lot of pressure off of the Cowboys' aerial attack and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Gone are the days of the Cowboys needing Elliott to rack up 100-yard monster games each and every week. What they need from him now is quite simply. Dallas needs Elliott to be a consistent threat on the ground and a guy who can eat up a hard-fought two or three yards whenever they need him to do so.
So far this season, Elliott has carried the football 142 times for 663 yards and seven touchdowns. He has also caught 26 passes for 168 yards and another touchdown.
Dallas must make sure to keep Elliott involved and get him into the action early in every game. If they keep doing that and Elliott is firing on all cylinders come playoff time, the Cowboys are going to be a very tough out for anyone they face.
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