Seven Bold Predictions on Cowboys Season

With the season just a few days away, it’s time to do some predicting. Let me preface this by saying these are just bold predictions, I may not necessarily believe some of these will happen, but some of them just might.

With that being said, let’s jump right into my seven bold ass predictions for the Cowboys 2014 season:

1. The Cowboys finish the season 9-7

The Cowboys will finally break out of the 8-8 rut this season, but it’ll be another close one in making the playoffs. The reality is, the Cowboys need to win the NFC East to punch themselves a playoff ticket.

2. Morris Claiborne misses 8+ games / IR 

I’m going by history on this one. The recent “AC Joint” issues are a concern, I can see him getting banged up early and either needing some sort of scoping or full blown surgery which will cause him to miss a bunch of games. Watch.

3. Tyler Patmon will start opposite Brandon Carr

Something tells me before Scandrick returns from his 4-game suspension, we’ll see Patmon starting opposite Carr as a starting cornerback. Once Scandrick returns, Patmon and Claiborne battle it out for the #3 CB, and my money is on Patmon.

4. Anthony Hitchens will be a bona fide starter at LB before week 8

I think the Cowboys like what they have seen in Hitchens, and ultimately, he’ll be given a starting role at LB, fulltime.

5. Terrance Williams will be a 1,000 yard receiver

The Cowboys will be airing it out a lot under Scott Linehan, and more so if the defense struggles. The Cowboys have a legit #2 in Williams, and I expect him to have a breakout season this year. Defenses will be scrambling in their pass coverage. The addition of Zack Martin will give Romo an additional half second to scan the field and target Williams more often.

6. Jerry Jones makes a crazy trade

I’ve written about Jerry being due for a crazy trade, and history has shown he is a season past due. Take this into consideration. What if something happens to Tony Romo (knock on wood), and Brandon Weeden and/or Dustin Vaughan can’t win games in his place? Jerry could do something wild and trade for Johnny Manziel, he says he hated missing that pick, and if he thinks this team could move forward with a young QB, then Jerry could make a trade, and grossly over trade for him in the process, especially if Manziel is still on the bench in Cleveland.

I could also see Jerry looking for his “Charles Haley” trade, and make a trade for a premier pass rusher, this may not be possible with the cap restraints, but we’ve seen Jerry do some crazy things with the roster before, so you never know. This team will not have a true pass rushing end until DeMarcus Lawrence returns.

7. Jerry Jones extends Jason Garrett

If the Cowboys can put together some wins and put themselves into playoff contention, then Jerry may reward Garrett with a new contract before the season ends, but this would likely happens in Decemeber. If the Cowboys are in a 4th straight de facto NFC East Championship game Garrett better win that game or he’s likely gone. I just don’t see Jerry keeping Garrett if we miss the playoffs this year. He’ll need to have someone to come in and get this team over the hump. The usual names will come to mind: Gruden, Dungy, Harbaugh, or a hot collegiate coach.