The Cowboys Are A Legitimate Contender In 2026... Here's Why episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 4, 2026 · 11 MIN

The Cowboys Are A Legitimate Contender In 2026... Here's Why

from A to Z Sports Dallas Cowboys · host A to Z Sports Dallas

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. ***** HOW TO ENTER: 1. Visit and make sure A to Z Sports is checked 2. 2. Comment GO COWBOYS below! If selected, you must be able to verify that A to Z Sports was selected as a preferred source. ***** A to Z Sports Giveaway Terms & Conditions: ***** The Dallas Cowboys are finally entering the 2026 NFL season, and Mauricio Rodriguez believes this team has a legitimate chance to contend for the NFC East and potentially make a deep playoff run. That might sound overly optimistic after everything that happened with Dallas last season, but Mauricio has three specific reasons why he believes the Cowboys are genuinely better this year. The first is the defense. Dallas' defense is not simply going to improve because it was one of the worst units in the NFL last season. Mauricio believes this is a fundamentally different group. The Cowboys have a new coaching staff, significant personnel turnover and what should be a dramatically different secondary. Dallas entered last season with major problems at cornerback, but Mauricio believes the team now has legitimate starting-caliber players at the position. The linebacker room has also undergone a major transformation, with Dee Winters, a healthy DeMarvion Overshown and rookie Jaishawn Barham giving Dallas a much different group than the one that opened the 2025 season. Mauricio isn't predicting that the Cowboys suddenly become a top-10 defense. But he believes a top-20 defense with top-15 upside is a realistic outcome and that would be a massive improvement. The second reason is the offense. Dallas already had one of the NFL's better offenses, and Mauricio believes the addition of George Pickens could make it even more dangerous. After an impressive training camp, Mauricio believes Pickens has a legitimate chance to lead the Cowboys in receiving yards again. That's not a knock on CeeDee Lamb. It's a reflection of how much Mauricio believes Pickens can bring to this offense. The third reason is coaching continuity. Mauricio believes the Cowboys should be better on special teams after changing the players they rely on in those units, while Brian Schottenheimer should benefit from having already gone through his first season as a head coach. With Klayton Adams helping with offensive installations, Schottenheimer should have more time to focus on game planning and creativity. But how many wins does Dallas actually need? Mauricio believes the Cowboys need 11 wins to make the playoffs and have a legitimate shot at winning the NFC East. He breaks down exactly how Dallas can get there, including sweeping the Giants and Commanders, splitting with Philadelphia, beating Arizona, Tennessee, Tampa Bay and Indianapolis, and stealing at least two wins from tougher opponents. The Cowboys have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, while the Eagles have one of the easier schedules. That makes Dallas' margin for error smaller. Still, Mauricio believes the Cowboys can win 11 games in 2026 and he believes Dallas has a legitimate chance to win the NFC East. Are the Cowboys actually contenders? Mauricio Rodriguez makes the case. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Dallas for daily Dallas Cowboys news, analysis, predictions, roster updates and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season. #DallasCowboys #Cowboys #CowboysNation #NFL #CowboysNews 0:00 Why the Cowboys are legitimate contenders 0:47 Reason No. 1: The defense is DIFFERENT 1:40 How Dallas rebuilt the defense 2:05 The Cowboys finally have starting CBs 2:58 Reason No. 2: The offense remains very good 3:21 Why George Pickens could lead the Cowboys in receiving 3:47 Reason No. 3: Coaching continuity 4:10 Why special teams should improve 4:50 Brian Schottenheimer has more time to create 5:40 How many wins do the Cowboys need? 6:40 Why Dallas needs 11 wins 7:10 The Cowboys' biggest schedule advantage 7:40 The games Dallas MUST win 8:50 The tough games Dallas needs to steal 9:35 Can Dallas actually win 11 games? 10:26 Why the Cowboys can win the NFC East Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: ***** For more Cowboys coverage be sure to follow here: Twitter: Instagram: Facebook: TikTok:

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The Cowboys Are A Legitimate Contender In 2026... Here's Why

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