Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after scoring a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Amari Cooper #19 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammates after scoring a 29 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Dallas Cowboys. 12. team. 123. . 10-6 record.

Well, wide receiver Amari Cooper sure made a difference.

The Dallas Cowboys were two different teams in 2018, one before Cooper’s midseason arrival from the Raiders, and an entirely different team afterwards.

Cooper’s presence vastly upgraded the offense, giving quarterback Dak Prescott a bona fide threat and taking pressure off running back Ezekiel Elliott, which was needed. And Dallas’ defense made strides as well, particularly with EDGE Demarcus Lawrence picking up 10.5 sacks, and cornerback Byron Jones leading a young and promising secondary.

All that said, the Cowboys are going to be hard pressed re-signing Lawrence, arguably their biggest offseason priority. They’ll want to extend both Prescott and Elliott sooner than later, too, and the Cowboys’ salary cap situation might not permit all of the above.

And after yet another premature playoff departure, it appears as if head coach Jason Garrett is going to actually stay on the hot seat this upcoming year. 2019 will be a prove-it year for Garrett, making Dallas’ efforts between now and the end of the season very interesting.