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The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs for the second straight season in 2025, going 7-9-1 in Brian Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach. But that doesn’t stop FOX Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlereth from being optimistic about the Cowboys heading into the 2026 season.
Not only does Schlereth think Dallas can eclipse his projected 9.5 win total, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys usurp the Philadelphia Eagles and win the NFC East.
“I think they have a lot of talent. I think this is a football team that can dominate both lines of scrimmage,” Schlereth said on “The Herd.” “That, to me, says the Dallas Cowboys are the favorites to win their division.”
While the Cowboys invested in a heavy defensive roster, including No. 11 safety Caleb Downs and No. 23 pick Malachi Lawrence, Dallas also spent time redesigning the look of its offensive line. The foundation of the offensive line is already established with Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terrance Steele as the projected starters. However, their depth is what appears to be a game-changer in their performance this year with fourth-round pick Drew Shelton and TJ Bass.
On the other side of the ball, the front seven emerged as a major story for the Cowboys this offseason. After last year’s blockbuster trade of running back Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, Dallas struggled and finished last in yards allowed per game. Now backed by edge rushers Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, their offseason additions (edge rushers Rashan Gary from the Packers and Lawrence) make the Cowboys’ front seven dangerous heading into a tough 2026 schedule.
Schlereth stressed the importance of having talent at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and said it will be a big turning point for the Cowboys’ success this season.
“You control both lines of scrimmage in the National Football League, you’re going to win a lot of football games. That’s what stands out to me more than CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens,” Schlerth said.
Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were two of the NFL’s best at their position in 2025 when they caught passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. Pickens finished third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,429 and Lamb finished 11th with 1,077 despite their injuries.
With the Cowboys revamping their roster in a major way this offseason, their projected win total has increased at some sportsbooks. FanDuel Sportsbook has Dallas’ win total set at 9.5 wins.
While that mark is one of the highest projected win totals in the league, Schlereth believes the Cowboys will easily surpass the 9.5 win mark.
“I would finish him off,” Schlereth said. “One thing I’ll say about the Dallas Cowboys is… where they’ve invested is in a young offensive line that can hit people, they can hit people, and now they’ve invested defensively in their front seven.”
