Dallas Cowboys: Las Vegas Odds Say 2017 Super Bowl Is Coming
By Erik Lambert
![Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3233771163c6e49e971aa89bbfe12639b259b931556fcddf4f082e2ea33353d4.jpg)
There is no question that expectations for the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 are sky high. They have a young, talented roster in place at all the vital positions.
At least offensively. Dak Prescott is coming off an outstanding rookie season at quarterback and should only get better. He’ll have Ezekiel Elliott running the football and that outstanding offensive line paving the way. Not to mention an array of weapons in the passing game led by the tandem of tight end Jason Witten and receiver Dez Bryant. With this group the team went 13-3 last season before a heartbreaking playoff opening loss to the Packers.
That hasn’t stopped Las Vegas from placing their bets on Big D for a big run this year. As ESPN and others have reported, oddsmakers have them facing mighty New England in Minneapolis next February.
"“With the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final wrapping up, there’s no better time to look ahead to the NFL season. One Las Vegas sportsbook has taken that to an extreme.The New England Patriots are Super Bowl LI champions. Can they repeat? Here are the odds for all 32 NFL teams to win Super Bowl LII next season from the Westgate Las Vegas Super Book.The Golden Nugget has released odds on all 256 potential Super Bowl LII matchups available for betting at its sportsbook in downtown Vegas. The most likely Super Bowl matchup is the defending champion New England Patriots facing the Dallas Cowboys at 7-1, followed by the Patriots taking on the Green Bay Packers at 8-1.”"
What’s could hold them back?
Given the significant presence the Cowboys always have in the mainstream media, this shouldn’t be a surprise. They’re a young team coming off a great season. The key factor for them moving forward is simple. Can they get the defense to play at the level required to win a championship? This has really been their problem since the late 1990s.
People like to say the Triplets of Aikman, Irvin and Smith were the reason Dallas won three Super Bowls during that decade. Sure they played the biggest roles, but they got a ton of help from the defense. Those championship years they ranked 1st, 10th and 1st in total defense respectively. It’s easy to win games like that. It’s why people really need to get off the case of Tony Romo as well.
Since 2000 the Cowboys defense has finished ranked top five just twice. That was in 2001 and 2003 when they had no offense to compliment them. The highest they ever ranked during the Romo era was 9th, 8th and 9th from 2007 to 2009. They reached the playoffs twice in that span and won their first postseason game in over a decade. Last year? They finished 14th overall.
That’s not good enough. So if the Cowboys want to fulfill these favorable odds, it will have to be as a complete team. Otherwise they’ll suffer the same experiences they have for the past 20 years.