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The Cowboys are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. For real, this time | Opinion

Ahead of their 2026 opening game on the road against the New York Giants, buzz surrounds the Dallas Cowboys despite missing the postseason the prior year. Team owner Jerry Jones orchestrated significant roster adjustments over the offseason, positioning Dallas with an offense that features quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver George Pickens, alongside a retooled defense under coordinator Christian Parker that has identified its green-dot communicator and added safety Caleb Downs.

At running back, the franchise recently added Israel Abanikanda to counter a season-ending injury to Malik Davis.

The roster reshuffle has sparked competing projections across the sports landscape as the club looks to snap a championship drought spanning three decades. High-profile voices remain divided, with Michael Irvin expressing strong optimism, while Skip Bayless dismisses the hype and Stephen A.

Smith envisions a 12-win NFC East crown that eventually gives way to familiar postseason frustration.