Jerry Jones doesn't see big gap between Eagles, Cowboys

Share

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t see a big gap between Dallas and the NFC East rival, defending Super Bowl champion Eagles.

Oh, really?

Jones was complimentary of the Eagles in remarks made at last week’s owners meetings in Orlando, right before drawing parallels to his Cowboys. He suggested the teams mirror each other in many ways, the key difference being Dallas failed to capitalize on a 13-3 record with a deep playoff run in 2016.

Then Jones opined the distance between the Eagles and Cowboys isn’t that great.

“I think that if the gap is defined as them winning the Super Bowl and [us] not even getting in the playoffs, then we've got to close the gap,” Jones said, via Todd Archer for ESPN.com. “I think that we should've been in the playoffs. We weren't. But I don't believe that us not being in the playoffs this past year is the size of the gap.”

The Cowboys might be better than their 9-7 record last season indicates. Close to the Eagles?

'Tis a bold statement. Obviously, the draft in three weeks changes things, but as of right now, the Eagles’ roster continues to own some notable advantages.

Quarterbacks
The Eagles’ backup may well be a better option than the Cowboys’ starter. Dak Prescott was average at best in 2017, barely outdueling third-stringer Nate Sudfeld in the Week 17 finale between the teams. While Prescott regressed in Year 2, Carson Wentz took a huge step forward and is clearly more polished. And if Wentz is hampered by an ACL injury, Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is waiting.

Running backs
Ezekiel Elliott could be the most explosive ball carrier in the NFL – if he stays out of trouble. Good thing he plays all three downs, too, because there is little depth in the Cowboys’ backfield. That situation nosedives with an injury or suspension. Neither Jay Ajayi nor Corey Clement are as gifted, but give the Eagles’ a solid tandem, minus the legal drama. Plus, Darren Sproles might return.

Wide receivers and tight ends
Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz each finished ’17 with at least 200 more yards and three more touchdowns than the Cowboys’ second-leading receiver. Then the Eagles added Mike Wallace in free agency. Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Dallas will retain Dez Bryant, by far the club’s most (only?) dangerous target.

Offensive lines
It wasn’t so long ago – a year – the Cowboys boasted the league’s best O-line. Now that distinction belongs to the Eagles. Tyron Smith can’t stay healthy, La’el Collins struggled with a position change and at least one job is up for grabs in Dallas. The Eagles are largely settled, with nine-time Pro Bowl selection Jason Peters returning from an ACL to reprise his role as the unit’s anchor.

Defensive lines
The Cowboys are excellent up front. DeMarcus Lawrence blossomed into one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the game, while Tyrone Crawford and David Irving are quality complimentary pieces. It’s simply hard to match the Eagles’ depth. Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata are all Pro Bowlers, then don’t forget about Chris Long, Derek Barnett or Tim Jernigan.

Linebackers
Injuries are a concern, but a duo of Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith can be quite good. Again, depth appears to be an issue for Dallas, and Lee, in particular, can’t stay healthy. Of course, the same could be said for Jordan Hicks and the Eagles. Then again, even if Hicks is slow to recover from a torn Achilles, Nigel Bradham and Mychal Kendricks remain.

Defensive backs
The Eagles are so loaded with talent at cornerback, there’s been speculation they need to trade somebody. Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby and Daryl Worley are established names in a secondary led by Malcolm Jenkins. The Cowboys have a ton of prospects after drafting four DBs in ’17, though none as highly touted as Sidney Jones for the Eagles – and no Pro Bowlers to match Jenkins.

Overall
Dallas has a roster that can potentially compete for a playoff spot and make some noise in the postseason. That being said, the discrepancy between the Eagles and the Cowboys seems substantial, no matter how Jones tries to paint it.

Contact Us