The Dallas Cowboys are coming off their second 12-5 season, making the playoffs both years. The Cowboys have yet to make it past the divisional round of the playoffs since 1995, when they won their last Super Bowl title. It's hard to believe that was nearly 30 years ago, but ask any Cowboys fan and they surely haven't forgotten that. The Cowboys are coming in with possibly one of their best teams since that 1995 team, and as usual, there's massive expectations coming from the Dallas as the season is set to begin. Let's get into some bold predictions for the Cowboys.

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4. Micah Parsons is the NFL league sack leader

Micah Parsons has consistently hovered around the Defensive Player of the Year conversation for the past two years, which is a testament to his undeniable dominance on the field. What sets Parsons apart is his versatile play style that allows him to seamlessly transition between various positions on the defensive side of the ball. He can power through offensive lines for a sack one play and seamlessly shift into coverage to force an incompletion on the next.

While the notion of Micah Parsons leading the league in sacks might not seem bold because of how dominating he has been, there's much more potential waiting to be unleashed. As a rookie, Parsons demonstrated his ability as an elite pass rusher, finishing ninth in pressures despite sharing his time between pass rushing and linebacker duties. His role became more defined in the following year, leading him to top the league in pressures. However, Parsons' sack numbers have yet to truly reflect his abilities.

3. Dak Prescott will be top 3 in interceptions again

This is not only a pivotal year for the Cowboys, it's also one for Prescott. Dak Prescott will be looking to earn his next Cowboys' contract this season, after signing his 4-year, $160 million deal back in March of 2021. With the addition of Trey Lance after trading the San Francisco 49ers for him recently, the pressure is now on the former Mississippi State quarterback to deliver as the starting quarterback for the Cowboys.

Although Prescott has been getting paid like one of the top quarterbacks in the league for some time, he has yet to truly play like one. He hasn't been bad by any means, but he hasn't be all that great either. His performance has been influenced by injuries and sporadic play. Last season, Prescott threw for 2,860 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Those 15 interceptions led the league, sharing the spot with Davis Mills of the Houston Texans, according to StatMuse. This trend might be disconcerting for Cowboys fans, particularly when considering that these 15 interceptions were the most in Prescott's career, surpassing his previous high of 13. Prescott is surrounded by a talented cast, including Tony Pollard at running back and CeeDee Lamb at receiver. The responsibility now lies with Prescott to maximize his own talents, capitalize on those around him, and minimize his errors

2. The Cowboys will win the NFC East

Everyone thinks this will be the Philadelphia Eagles division to lose again. And it very well could be. Jalen Hurts, fresh off signing a lucrative deal in the offseason, is set to lead the Eagles once again. However, with the departure of his offensive coordinator Shane Steichen—now the head coach for the Indianapolis Colts—questions surround the Eagles' offense. While the Cowboys and Eagles could easily go back and forth for the division lead throughout the season, there's a possibility of a Super Bowl hangover affecting the Eagles after their loss in the big game. The Cowboys, boasting remarkable talent this season, especially on the defensive-side led by defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, are well-positioned to challenge for the division title. Last year, the Cowboys were slightly behind the Eagles in terms of average points-per-game. However, this season they're expected to make significant strides on the defensive end, ultimately setting them apart from their divisional counterparts.

1. The Cowboys miss the NFC Championship again

As previously noted, the Cowboys have been absent from the NFC Championship game since 1995, followed by their Super Bowl victory. It's a surprising reality that a team as historically significant as the Cowboys has endured such a lengthy absence from that game. This season, the NFC presents a more navigable path, in contrast to the plethora of competition within the AFC. While the Cowboys will undoubtedly face a tough challenge from their division rivals like the Eagles and maybe New York Giants, it's the San Francisco 49ers they should worry about. In the last two seasons, the 49ers have dashed the Cowboys' Super Bowl hopes, eliminating them in the Wild Card round of 2021 and again in the Divisional Round last year.

The 49ers boast an impressive and well-rounded roster, and now with quarterback Brock Purdy named starter, this further solidifies their lineup. Under Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have consistently held an advantage over the Cowboys. Should these two teams cross paths once more, a similar outcome could very well become true again for the Cowboys. Nevertheless, the Cowboys can't be trusted to get to the NFC Championship until they actually get back there.