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Breakout seasons?
17) Who Makes Their First Career Pro Bowl?
Nick: This is always one of my favorite questions to answer. Basically, it’s saying who is going to have that breakout year. I’m not even sure I’ve got the answer correctly before, but it’s always fun to speculate. A good place to start would be Osa Odighizuwa, who signed an $80 million contract to stay with the team. He might be on the verge. But that seems too easy to answer. I thought about Donovan Wilson for this or maybe even George Pickens, but I’m going to go a little deeper – as in the deep snapper. What about Trent Sieg? This guy is always consistent and while Brandon Aubrey and Bryan Anger have been going to Pro Bowls as the kicker and punter, someone has been firing the snaps back to them. I think this is the year Sieg breaks through and makes his first Pro Bowl in his eighth season.
Kyle: The fact that George Pickens had the level of production that he posted in Pittsburgh, and never made a Pro Bowl, is shocking to me. A lot of time, the Pro Bowl turns into a popularity contest paired with a certain level of success. Pickens can take a huge step in both during his contract year with the Cowboys in 2025.
He has yet to be paired with someone as talented on the other side of the formation as CeeDee Lamb, which could open a world of possibilities for Pickens. Assuming both players and Dak Prescott stay healthy throughout the season, it’s possible for Pickens and Lamb to become the first Cowboys pair of 1,000-yard receivers since 2019. Meaning there are very few things standing in the way of Pickens and the popularity and production needed to earn those Pro Bowl votes.
Some commentary/predictions from writer’s covering NFC East teams.
What is the biggest concern for your team?
Cowboys
A first-time head coach isn’t the biggest concern. A quarterback who has had a difficult time staying healthy recently isn’t the biggest concern. Impending contracts for guys like Parsons isn’t the biggest concern. I’m sticking on the field for mine: Can they slow down the run? They have not made big adjustments in personnel in name or size. How new coordinator Matt Eberflus will attack the issue is with effort and running to the ball. It will also help if the offense can put up a ton of points so the opposing team can’t run the ball as much. Until the Cowboys actually show they can contain the run, it will be the biggest concern. — Archer
The Giants writer had an interesting take on who wins the NFC East.
**Who wins the NFC East in...
