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Pressing fantasy questions for the NFC East

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 22: Paul Perkins #28 of the New York Giants in action during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Giants 24-19. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

As we do every July during the run-up to NFL training camp, we are taking a spin around the league to ask and answer a pressing fantasy question for each team. Today we’re staying in the east but switching conferences. The NFC East has the unfortunate task of taking on both defense-heavy western divisions, turning their typically easy schedules into minefields.

Dallas Cowboys

Are we overrating how a tougher schedule will cause the Cowboys to open up their offense?

The Cowboys trailed for 30.8 percent of their offensive snaps last year, which was higher than only the Falcons and Patriots. They were losing by more than nine points on a league-low five plays all season, and those came during a meaningless Week 17 game they were barely trying to win. Dallas led the league in run rate with a 49.4 percent mark while operating at the NFL’s second-slowest pace, executing their “keep-away” mandate and allowing the ninth-fewest plays. As a result, the Cowboys attempted the third-fewest passes (483). Every quarterback who finished higher than Dak Prescott in fantasy scoring (sixth) had at least 70 more pass attempts, while averaging 110.6 more. Every wideout who posted more points per game than Dez Bryant (11th) saw more targets, while averaging 45 more.

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