What does latest projection model say about Cowboys 2023 season?

ESPN's Mike Clay recently released a 2023 NFL projection guide, which predicted Dallas will win the NFC East, claim the NFC's No. 1 seed and win the fourth-most games (10.8) in the NFL.

The Cowboys should be one of the league's preeminent teams since they posted consecutive 12-win seasons for the first time in 27 years last season. They also improved their roster with a spree of offseason moves.

Dallas dealt for WR Brandin Cooks, one of two wideouts to record 1,000 receiving yards with four different teams, and five-time Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore, a 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Acquiring both veterans addressed the Cowboys' imperative needs and legitimized their status as Super Bowl contenders.

However, oddsmakers believe the Cowboys have yet to vault to the top of their conference. Per Oddschecker, they have the NFC's third-best Super Bowl odds behind San Francisco and Philadelphia.

The 49ers are one of the league's most talented teams, with Pro Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year DE Nick Bosa. Additionally, they have Dallas' number after handing them consecutive postseason defeats.

The Eagles lost vital contributors such as DT Javon Hargrave and RB Miles Sanders, but QB Jalen Hurts is on an upward trajectory since he posted the NFL's fourth-best QBR (66.4) last season.

Dallas can contend with both NFC powerhouses, though. In 2023, it had seven Pro Bowlers, tied with Kansas City for second most. Also, it tied Buffalo for the second-most regular-season wins (24) over the past two seasons.

The Cowboys could have an epic season if their talented pieces put it all together.