SouthernWorldwide.com – Despite a disappointing 2025 season that saw the Dallas Cowboys miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year with a 7-9-1 record under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, FOX Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlereth is expressing strong optimism for the team heading into the 2026 season.
Schlereth believes the Cowboys not only have the potential to surpass their projected win total of 9.5 games but also to challenge and potentially unseat the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFC East champions.
“I think they have plenty of talent. I think this is a football team that can dominate both lines of scrimmage,” Schlereth stated on “The Herd.” “That, to me, says the Dallas Cowboys are frontrunners to win their division.”
The Cowboys made significant investments in their defense, notably with the selection of safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall and Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 overall. Simultaneously, the team has focused on revamping its offensive line. The projected starting lineup now features Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, and Terrance Steele. The depth provided by fourth-round pick Drew Shelton and T.J. Bass is seen as a crucial factor for their offensive performance this year.
On the defensive side, the front seven has been a central focus of the Cowboys’ offseason strategy. Following a significant trade of edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in the previous year, Dallas struggled defensively, finishing last in yards allowed per game. The current front seven, anchored by edge rushers Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, has been bolstered by offseason additions such as edge rushers Rashan Gary from the Packers and Lawrence. These moves are expected to make the Cowboys’ front seven a formidable unit against a challenging 2026 schedule.
Schlereth underscored the critical importance of having strong talent on both lines of scrimmage, identifying it as a pivotal element for the Cowboys’ success this season. He believes this dominance will be more impactful than the performance of their star receivers.
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“You control both lines of scrimmage in the National Football League, you’re going to win a lot of football games. That’s what jumps off the page to me more than CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens,” Schlereth commented.
Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were among the league’s elite in 2025, consistently catching passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. Pickens finished the season third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,429, while Lamb secured 1,077 receiving yards, ranking 11th despite dealing with injuries.
The Cowboys’ significant roster overhaul this offseason has led to an upward revision of their projected win total at several sportsbooks. FanDuel Sportsbook has set Dallas’ win total at 9.5 games.
While this projection places the Cowboys among the higher-tier teams in the league, Schlereth is confident that the team will comfortably exceed the 9.5-win mark.
“I’d hammer the over,” Schlereth advised. “One thing I will say about the Dallas Cowboys is … where they have invested is a young offensive line that can hammer people, they can beat up on people, and now they’ve invested defensively in their front seven.”
