We wouldn't have won last year without that feature back or outstanding play from Romo. It's amazing what they accomplished with the unbelievably shitty quality of defense we fielded during the playoffs.
You must admit, the run game in 2015 is not likely to actually improve from last year, right?
So for us to lose that feature back and actually improve as a contender, we need to improve dramatically elsewhere.
I believe the defense did improve, but we won't really get a feel by how much until late August.
We had several things go perfectly right defensively last year after Lee's injury and I doubt that kind of luck holds again this season. So we need Lee, Jones, Carr, Claiborne, Gregory, Lawrence, Crawford, and the McClains to play to their potential and remain healthy. We need Wilcox and Hitchens to keep improving.
Most of all we need Greg Hardy rust-free, healthy, strong, and playing the way we hoped he would for 10, not 6 games.
I like our chances, but man with a mere 4th round pick those chances would have improved dramatically.