The Dallas Cowboys are ranked No. 5 in ESPN's Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we'll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.
Here's everything you need to know about the Cowboys heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.
Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart
The big question: How will quarterback Dak Prescott adapt to coach Mike McCarthy?
Most of the offense Prescott ran in his first four seasons with the Cowboys remains, with just tweaks made from what McCarthy is accustomed to running. Kellen Moore remains the Cowboys' playcaller, so Prescott will continue to have a familiar voice in his ear. But McCarthy will have a big influence, and the reason he was hired was because of his ability to raise the level of quarterback play. Prescott is coming off a season in which he set personal bests with 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns, but he was not part of even the Cowboys' virtual offseason program since he was waiting on a long-term contract. Instead, he'll play on the exclusive franchise tag. There is a rhythm that will need to be developed between McCarthy and Prescott. If they find it quick, the Cowboys should be a contender. -- Todd Archer
How the pandemic has most affected the Cowboys
The Cowboys had three players opt out of the 2020 season. While they will have at least some fans at home games, AT&T Stadium has not been the greatest of advantages. So this answer comes back to this being McCarthy's first season in Dallas. McCarthy has had no offseason program, no organized team activities, no minicamp and a scaled-back training camp. He was not able to get everything he wanted in on the time frame he wanted to get in, and as a result, there are some more unknowns to sort out as games start. But that doesn't mean McCarthy will get a free pass. The Cowboys believe they have assembled a talented roster that can win big under McCarthy. -- Archer
Football Power Index projections for the Cowboys
Overall ranking: 5
Offensive ranking: 4
Defensive ranking: 16
Special teams ranking: 32
Total wins: 9.3
NFC East title chances: 48.2%
Chances to make playoffs: 69.4%
Super Bowl chances: 4.9%
2021 draft pick: No. 28
Inside the Cowboys' schedule
FPI's strength of schedule rank: 21
Toughest stretch: The Cowboys have to get off to a fast start because they have a four-week stretch in December that could likely decide their season. In Weeks 13 through 16, they play Baltimore with last year's MVP Lamar Jackson; San Francisco, last year's NFC champ; and Philadelphia, last year's NFC East champ. There's also a trip to Cincinnati, with this year's No. 1 pick, Joe Burrow, in that mix. Possibly a bit of good news: McCarthy had a 39-16 regular-season record in December and January in Green Bay.
Over or under 9.3 wins? Over. The Cowboys have had first-year bumps in win totals in their past three coaching changes. In 2003 under Bill Parcells, they increased by five wins; under Wade Phillips in 2007, they increased by four wins; under Jason Garrett, they increased by two wins. Take a two-win increase for McCarthy's first season -- without the benefit of the offseason and a full training camp -- and the Cowboys will make the playoffs. -- Archer
Bold prediction for 2020: The Cowboys will have three 1,000-yard pass-catchers
The Cowboys will become the sixth team to accomplish the feat. Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup had more than 1,000 yards a year ago and last season's No. 3 receiver Randall Cobb, had 828 yards. Insert CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys' first-round pick, into the mix and Prescott will eclipse 5,000 yards passing. Don't worry about Ezekiel Elliott's rushing totals, either. This offense will be like the 2004 Indianapolis Colts that had three 1,000-yard receivers, and Edgerrin James still ran for more than 1,500 yards. -- Archer
Breakout fantasy star: CeeDee Lamb, WR
The No. 17 overall pick in April's draft, Lamb joins a Dallas offense that figures to rank near the top of the NFL in three-plus WR sets under McCarthy. That's an important note, as Cooper and Gallup are all but locked in atop the depth chart. Lamb's target ceiling will be limited a bit this season, but he's arguably the best wide receiver prospect in this year's loaded class, and Prescott was able to support three top-31 WRs last season. Grab him for your bench. -- Mike Clay
Ezekiel Elliott: 3.6
Amari Cooper: 32.9
Dak Prescott: 54.8
Michael Gallup: 81.8
CeeDee Lamb: 124.3
The view from Vegas
Super Bowl odds: 13-1 (opened 11-1)
Over/under: 10
Playoff odds: Yes -250, No +210
The Cowboys are currently the third in line among favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LV, despite finishing 8-8 a season ago and missing the playoffs. The last time Dallas opened with better Super Bowl-winning odds was 2010 (10-1), but the Cowboys haven't made the big game since 1995. -- ESPN Chalk staff
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.
Where the Cowboys landed in NFL Rank
No. 20: Dak Prescott
No. 24: Ezekiel Elliott
No. 45: Zack Martin
No. 56: Amari Cooper
No. 60: Tyron Smith
No. 65: DeMarcus Lawrence