Now, as the NFL season kicks off, teams are thinking ahead to make their impact — not just on the gridiron. None loom larger, or offer a greater opportunity or challenge than among them, the Dallas Cowboys. They gave up the second most points last season, an alarming stat that highlights their defensive weaknesses. Micah Parsons, the versatile young linebacker, is the beating heart of their defense. He only played in 13 games a season ago and wasn’t able to fully cover up these weaknesses. The Cowboys have adopted a new defensive strategy that aims to improve their performance, particularly with Parsons at the helm.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers look to build on their late-season momentum, with quarterback Bryce Young emerging as a key player for their success this season. His growth in the second half of last season has given hope to fans that he could become a franchise quarterback soon. The Cleveland Browns are in a similar boat, especially on their D which made the biggest leap in going backward last season. With uncertainty surrounding their quarterback situation, the Browns will need to rely heavily on key players like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward to regain their footing.
Cowboys’ Defensive Struggles
As strong as the Dallas Cowboys’ defense was last season, a glaring red flag was the absence of a true pass rush. Despite having standout linebacker Micah Parsons for 13 games, the team struggled to contain opposing offenses, ultimately allowing the second-most points in the league. That disappointing mark answers the biggest question that hampered the Cowboys all season.
Parsons, recognized for his dynamic playmaking ability, was unable to fully influence games due to injuries and inconsistent performances from his teammates. With a defense that was sometimes overmatched, the often high-scoring games placed tremendous pressure on the Cowboys’ offense. As they enter this new season, the team’s coaching staff has acknowledged these shortcomings and implemented a new defensive strategy aimed at addressing these issues.
The new approach prioritizes versatility and aggression. The coaching staff believes that by capitalizing on Parsons’ unique skill set and introducing more complex schemes, they can significantly reduce the points allowed this season. How well this strategy works will likely go a long way towards deciding whether the Cowboys are serious about contending for a playoff spot.
Panthers’ Offensive Outlook
The Cowboys are still still living with defensive mistakes. The Carolina Panthers can’t wait for a promising new season with rookie Bryce Young under center. After struggling for most of the season, Young began to come alive late last season, making better decisions and showing better poise under pressure. His history renewed optimism for a better — more productive — offensive unit, the same group that lacked consistency for much of last season.
Young’s chemistry with his receiving corps will be the biggest factor in determining how far the Panthers go this season. The staff made it a priority to improve the team’s offense. They made strategic free agent signings and key draft picks to give Young even better tools to succeed with. The Panthers’ new coaching staff clearly places an emphasis on establishing chemistry with Young and his targets. Most importantly, they know that communication is the key to unlocking their offensive potential.
As Young gets better, more seasoned, and sharper in his playmaking, there’s a growing confidence from inside the organization as well as the fans. If he can continue this upward trend, the sky is the limit for the Panthers. They have the potential to be an offensive juggernaut in a division that’s been stacking talent.
Browns’ Defensive Challenges
The Cleveland Browns are struggling to come to terms with defensive problems at the end of a miserable last season. Their defense plummeted, raising all sorts of questions about just how competitive they could be. This is particularly alarming in an extremely difficult AFC North division. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward will have to have bigger impacts. If the Browns hope to return to their 2020 form as playoff contenders, these homegrown stars need to take charge of an even bigger comeback.
Garrett has been a consistently terrifying presence on the defensive line and one of the best players at getting to and disrupting opposing quarterbacks. Ward, arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, is important in helping defend these high-powered aerial attacks. The assumption is that this core will give the Browns a strong foundation to their defensive unit. They addition expect that it will help instill confidence throughout the entire roster.
Adding to their woes is a lack of certainty under center, adding more layers to the question marks that plague an alarming leaky defense. The Browns need to see some stability here at this most vital of positions if they hope to take some heat off their strong defense. Without a reliable offensive output, the pressure on their big-time defensive talents would be unbearable.
Jaguars Under Pressure
These are some of the major obstacles the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to overcome as they head into yet another NFL campaign. A shaky offensive line has put pressure on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who must navigate defenses while dealing with consistent pressure from opposing pass rushers. This controversial situation makes things incredibly difficult for Lawrence as he aims to plant his flag as one of the league’s next top quarterbacks.
Despite these challenges, the excitement created by the arrival of Dan Quinn, defensive mastermind, to the coaching staff allowed expectations to rise significantly among fans. Quinn has a well-earned reputation for producing ball-hawking, aggressive defenses. That might be most important to the Jaguars as they attempt to become a more well-rounded team this season. Quinn’s tactics will be highly influential in shoring up support for Lawrence. Then they’ll protect Lawrence so he has time to create plays downfield.
Lawrence is growing into an even greater leader for the offense. To win consistently, the Jaguars need to fix their offensive line problems quickly. Doing so would not only increase Lawrence’s confidence, but it’d improve the overall effectiveness of their offensive game plan to protect him.
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