(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout the year, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2024 season.)
Mike McCarthy has mentioned it multiple times over the last few weeks, "September Football." It's never perfect, rarely pretty, but it serves as a starting point for all 32 NFL franchises as they embark on a new season.
In the case of the Dallas Cowboys, they've weathered the September storm by finishing 2-2 while enduring multiple injuries and rough outings to remain in the hunt for every goal they set prior to the season.
However, it's easy to be weary of the gauntlet Dallas faces across October and November, with teams like the Steelers, Lions, 49ers, and more on the schedule. Even with that in mind, let's look at the top five reasons for optimism moving forward.
5) Steady Cooper Beebe - While the offensive line has been a talking point for criticism this season, Cooper Beebe has not been. The rookie center has not only made the switch from guard in college, to center in the NFL, but he's done so by anchoring the offensive line. Out of the five starters up front, only Tyler Smith has a lower pressure percentage (3.1%) on his 162 pass blocking snaps than Cooper Beebe (4.3%). If Beebe can continue to improve and string together outings like he did with 22 snaps and zero pressures against New York? He could be an exciting piece to this offensive puzzle.
4) Special Teams Success -There is not a more complete special teams unit in football right now than the Dallas Cowboys. Let's start with the absolute weapon at kicker, Brandon Aubrey. Aubrey finally missed from 50-plus yards in the 4th quarter on Thursday but remains the league leader in points and field goal makes after connecting on 12 of his 13 attempts this season. KaVontae Turpin leads the league in punt return yardage and touchdowns, while forcing teams to kick away from him because of his electrifying kick return ability. Additionally, Bryan Anger is top five in the league for punt average, while only tallying one touchback. It's like the avengers of special teams units, and a real weapon for the Cowboys.
3) More Snaps for DeMarvion Overshown - Last preseason, losing DeMarvion Overshown was an incalculable blow to the Cowboys defensive unit. This year, he gets to turn his fortunes around by elevating his play. So far, Overshown has carved out a bigger role on defense, by showing speed, athleticism, and a high level of effort. All things that are building trust with his new defensive coordinator and the peers around him. If he can continue to elevate his game, just as he did against the Giants in Week 4, Overshown could become a crucial part of Mike Zimmer's defensive unit and a key to overall team success.
2) DaRon Bland Eyeing Return - Before the season was even underway, Dallas lost one of their top defenders as DaRon Bland was placed on Injured Reserve with a stress fracture in his left foot. Mike McCarthy alluded to the "mini bye" that begins this weekend as the original target for more information around Bland's return. Either way, it appears he's not far off from making a much-needed return to the cornerback position after missing the first four games.
1) Dak Prescott's 2023 Encore - It may be cliché, but everything with this team begins and ends with Dak Prescott. Luckily for the Cowboys, he's playing tremendous football just like he did for all of 2023. Entering Week 5, Prescott has thrown into more tight windows than any other quarterback in the NFL, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Dallas receivers rank second-to-last as a unit in both average separation and open percentage. Despite that, Prescott leads the NFL in passing yards and is top half of the league in quarterback efficiency. If Dak keeps playing at this level, it will give a chance for the offense to find a rhythm.
