Cowboys difficult to read as Prescott returns and Schottenheimer debuts as a head coach

DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10)

Expectations

It's tough to tell which direction the Dallas Cowboys are headed under first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer after the five-year run with Mike McCarthy ended with a losing record that stopped a three-season streak of 12-win playoff teams. The biggest question is the status of star pass rusher Micah Parsons, who reported to training camp but never practiced because of a stalemate over a new contract. Quarterback Dak Prescott is back after missing half of last season with a torn hamstring that required surgery. Receiver CeeDee Lamb had a full offseason after missing everything a year ago in a contract squabble similar to what Parsons is experiencing now. If Prescott can find the form of the MVP runner-up in 2023 and Parsons is the disruptive force h