FRISCO, Texas -- Brian Schottenheimer's first year as the Dallas Cowboys head coach was already going to be a difficult one. That's the nature of any job for a first-timer.

It was made more difficult Thursday when the Cowboys traded their Pro Bowl edge rusher, Micah Parsons , to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark .

But there might be good news for Schottenheimer with the trade.

Expectations entering the season, which starts Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles ( 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC ), are low. ESPN's Football Power Index gives the Cowboys a 28.2% chance of making the playoffs, 11.5% to win the NFC East and 1.1% to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

If the Cowboys overachieve, at least by outside expectations, then Schottenheimer wil

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