Dallas Cowboys 2022 preseason round-up: Week 1 matchup, Malik Jefferson, Dak Prescott’s ranking…
Only 57 days to go before the Dallas Cowboys see action on the field in Week 1 of the NFL 2022 season, and they’re up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dallas faces Tampa on Week 1
There are less than two months left before the first game of the NFL 2022-2023 season kicks off for the Dallas Cowboys, with the Week 1 matchup scheduled for Sept. 11 at AT&T Stadium. They hope to get off to a good start to become the first team in almost two decades to top the NFC East division for two consecutive years.
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The Cowboys will be hosting Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first edition of Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET / 9:20 p.m. PT.
Malik Jefferson: Brilliant bargain buy?
Dallas signed on linebacker Malik Jefferson on Thursday, and he may well turn out to be a high performer for the team. Cowboys director of player personnel Stephen Jones has earned a reputation for finding talent that’s waiting to be developed, and Jefferson might just be one of those.
The 25-year-old has played for five teams in his relatively short career, and Dallas may provide him with the environment of stability that will allow him to develop his natural athleticism. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has a great capacity to formulate defensive schemes that are easy to execute and would allow the players to attack. This kind of coaching could help Jefferson make the most of his physical gifts and eventually earn a spot on the roster.
Dak Prescott ranked 6th in 2021 passing plus/minus
The Cowboys had a less-than-ideal 2021-2022 season, due in part to the health situation of starting quarterback Dak Prescott. He started the year strong, pulling the team to be ranked first in volume offense. However, leg and shoulder injuries sidelined him for many games toward the end of the season. Despite this, he has earned sixth place in passing plus/minus, a metric used by Football Outsiders to help provide context to completion percentage.
With the 28-year-old stating that he is in the best shape of his career heading into the new season, he may just help Dallas make up for their disappointing exit from the playoffs in January.