Cowboys game-by-game predictions: Can Dallas endure funky schedule, return to playoffs?

The Cowboys’ schedule has some funkiness to it. Dallas has six prime-time games, four of the first six on the road before the bye. How about Dec. 17 in Buffalo and Christmas Eve in South Beach? What about back-to-back Thursday games? How about three consecutive games against West Coast teams? Yeah, Detroit is back.

We look at the Cowboys’ quest to make the postseason for a third consecutive year.

Week 1: at New York Giants

Sunday, Sept. 10, 7:20 p.m., NBC

Prediction: Win (1-0)

The Cowboys have lost their last three season openers, all of which came on the road. The last time they won a season opener was in 2019 against the Giants.

Week 2: vs. New York Jets

Sunday, Sept. 17, 3:25 p.m., CBS

Prediction: Loss (1-1)

Here’s the deal, Aaron Rodgers has won his last four games against the Cowboys, yes, while playing for the Packers. But the Jets have defeated the Cowboys in their last three meetings.

Week 3: at Arizona

Sunday, Sept. 24, 3:25 p.m., Fox

Prediction: Win (2-1)

Will Kyler Murray be ready for this game with his recovery from a torn ACL? That’s uncertain, but Arizona’s roster is lacking the talent necessary to compete at a high level. Watch Micah Parsons have a big game.

Week 4: vs. New England

Sunday, Oct. 1, 3:25, p.m., Fox

Prediction: Win (3-1)

The last time the Cowboys beat the Patriots in Dallas was 1996. Stephon Gilmore (four seasons) gets to see his former coach, Bill Belichick, and should get a pick in this one. Cowboys win this easily.

Week 5: at San Francisco

Sunday, Oct. 8, 7:20 p.m., NBC

Prediction: Loss (3-2)

Another date with a team that has a better roster. Maybe rookie Mazi Smith will be a difference-maker in the run defense in this meeting, but it’s hard to see the 49ers losing at home here.

Week 6: at Los Angeles Chargers

Monday, Oct. 16, 7:15 p.m., ESPN

Prediction: Loss (3-3)

So consecutive night games on the West Coast. The cowboys might as well stay out there to handle this tough stretch before the bye. This is one of those games where Justin Herbert gets to say he’s better than Dak Prescott. Maybe.

Week 8: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Sunday, Oct. 29, Noon, Fox

Prediction: Win (4-3)

California Love. The bye week comes at the right time as the Cowboys get to end a losing streak to the Rams. It’s always fun to watch Aaron Donald and Zack Martin do their thing in the trenches.

Week 9: at Philadelphia

Sunday, Nov. 5, 3:25 p.m., Fox

Prediction: Loss (4-4)

Last year, the teams’ QB1 never faced off while splitting the games. If everybody is healthy, Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts should happen. It’s also the first time the Cowboys will see first-round pick Jalen Carter.

Week 10: vs. New York Giants

Sunday, Nov. 12, 3:25 p.m., Fox

Prediction: Win (5-4)

Coming into the season, the Giants had lost four consecutive games to the Cowboys. Will the string end this year? The Cowboys have a better roster and the offense will show that in the second meeting.

Week 11: at Carolina

Sunday, Nov. 19, Noon, Fox

Prediction: Win (6-4)

It’s time to make the push to the postseason with a weaker part of the schedule in front of you. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young will get to find out just how good the Cowboys’ defense is. Trevon Diggs, we see you.

Week 12: vs. Washington

Thursday, Nov. 23, 3:30 p.m., CBS

Prediction: Win (7-4)

It’s Thanksgiving Day and Micah Parsons is going to eat. He’s got 3.5 sacks in his career against the Commanders, the most against any team (26.5 career sacks). Washington is improved, but not that much.

Week 13: vs. Seattle

Thursday, Nov. 30, 7:15 p.m. Prime Video

Prediction: Loss (7-5)

Back-to-back Thursday games end with Geno Smith making his first career start against the Cowboys. This could be a wild, high-scoring contest. Yeah, we said it. Take Seattle in a shootout.

Week 14: vs. Philadelphia

Sunday, Dec. 10, 7:20 p.m., NBC

Prediction: Loss (7-6)

The playoffs are starting to take focus now and a late-season loss is not going to help matters. This is a part of the season where the Cowboys need to be peaking, but the schedule is getting tougher.

Week 15: at Buffalo

Sunday, Dec. 17, 3:25 p.m., Fox

Prediction: Loss (7-7)

It’s going to be cold. We know that much. Will there be snow? Yeah. Is it going to be windy? Heck yeah. It’s Josh Allen vs. Dak Prescott. It’s Stefon Diggs vs. Trevon Diggs. It’s too cold in upstate New York to think about this.

Week 16: at Miami

Sunday, Dec. 24, 3:25 p.m., Fox

Prediction: Win (8-7)

It’s going to be comfortable in South Florida. So the Cowboys, desperate for a win, get a big one to keep their playoff hopes alive. Tony Pollard might put on a show in the run and pass game.

Week 17: vs. Detroit

Saturday, Dec. 30, 7:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC

Prediction: Loss (8-8)

The fighting Dan Campbells should have won this game last season. Dallas needed 14 fourth-quarter points in the last three minutes to win. Expect another close game and disappointment.

Week 18: at Washington

Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 6 or Jan. 7 TBD

Prediction: Win (9-8)

This game could mean something with a wild card berth on the line possibly. If not, then all sorts of questions about the futures of several people from coaches to players will need some answers.

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