2023 Super Bowl Odds: Can the Dallas Cowboys make doubters into believers?
The Dallas Cowboys have had a tumultuous 2023 season, experiencing both highs and lows. As of Week 16, the odds of the Cowboys winning Super Bowl LVIII are +1000, which translates to an implied probability of 9.1% chance of taking the title. Dallas currently ranks sixth in the NFL in their bid to clinch the Super Bowl, according to BetMGM.
The question is not whether the Dallas Cowboys are a good team or not, but whether they are good enough to succeed at a playoff run. The Cowboys have been performing well at AT&T Stadium, winning seven home games and scoring an average of 39.9 points per game. However, Cowboys fans are concerned about their performance in away games, with only three wins and five losses. Dallas’ average points per game on the road drops to 21.5.
This has led to doubts about the team's ability to make a Super Bowl LVIII run because the Cowboys must leave and play games outside the state of Texas if they want to make their championship dreams a reality.
For the final run of the season, they are preparing to host the Detroit Lions in a primetime Week 17 game, and then heading to FedEx Field to play their last game of the regular season against the Washington Commanders.
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Dallas Cowboys cause for concern
The Dallas Cowboys greatest strength is the sharpness of quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott has a 68.4% completion rate, culminating in 3,892 yards and 30 touchdowns with seven interceptions this season. He remains a fantastic playmaker for the Cowboys.
On the flip side, those big plays tend to bit them, when playing away from their home stadium, which is a big weakness that they need to address before the playoffs.
Additionally, Dallas' defense struggles with preventing opponents from making successful offensive runs on crucial plays. This weakness was particularly evident in the Cowboys 22-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins during Week 16. Despite Dak Prescott's ability to get the Cowboys ahead with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks, giving Dallas the 20-19 lead with 3:27 in the fourth quarter, Miami’s quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was able to cook. The Dolphins QB would make significant plays to get the run game going to secure a better position for Jason Sanders’ last-second field goal. As time expired, the previous plays ultimately sealed the win for the Dolphins.
While one of the more prolific offenses, their rushing defense is giving up a middling 115.7 yards per game on the ground.
These issues are concerning for the Cowboys as they head into the playoffs, raising questions about whether or not they are truly a strong Super Bowl LVIII contender. With only two games left in the regular season to change things around for the better, it is looking slim for the Cowboys to add another Super Bowl to the list.
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The Dallas Cowboys' last Super Bowl run
The Dallas Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, with their most recent victory being in 1996 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers 27-17 in Super Bowl XXX. Unfortunately, the Cowboys have not made an appearance in the Super Bowl since then. Dallas fans agree that it is overdue for the Cowboys to make another appearance in the big game.
The Cowboys have also lost three Super Bowls, tying them for the fifth most Super Bowl losses.
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