As we arrive to the third and final chapter in the series of ranking the Cowboys’ non-divisional games, we end with three heavy hitters.
To see rankings 11 through eight, click here. To see rankings seven through four, click here.
The top three non-divisional games to look forward to in the 2023 season feature two AFC teams with new elements to their offense and an old NFC foe that Dallas is desperate to topple.
Without further adieu, let’s reveal the top three most anticipated non-divisional games of the Cowboys’ 2023 season.
3. Dallas Cowboys vs New York Jets
When: Week 2, Sunday 3:25pm kickoff
Key acquisitions: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Allen Lazard, DE Solomon Thomas, WR Mecole Hardman, WR Randall Cobb
Key losses: None
Last meeting: 2019, Week 6; Cowboys 22 Jets 24
The last time these two teams met, the Cowboys were upset by a bad Jets team led by then QB Sam Darnold.
This is not the same Jets team.
The trade for former Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers puts the spotlight on this early season game.
Tom Brady was the ultimate Cowboy killer, having never lost to Dallas until the final game in his NFL career.
Aaron Rodgers moves to the top of the list that Brady just vacated.
The Cowboys have defeated Aaron Rodgers twice in his career as a starter, but both losses have occurred on Lambeau Field.
Rodgers has never lost in AT&T Stadium, including winning his one and only Super Bowl there in the 2009 season.
Right on cue, Rodgers will come back to AT&T Stadium. This time as a member of the New York Jets.
The Jets have weapons that seemingly only need a better arm throwing to them to be more successful. Rodgers is that arm.
He now leads an offensive arsenal consisting of RBs Breece Hall and Michael Carter, WRs Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb, and Denzel Mims, and TEs Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah.
This stable of weapons is arguably the best Rodgers has had since the 2016 season.
That season he threw for 40 touchdowns. His second highest total since turning 30 years old.
Consider that he also now has a strong defense led by young superstar CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, and this is sure to be a test for this Cowboys team very early in the season.
2. Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Chargers
When: Week 6, Monday 7:15pm kickoff
Key acquisitions: C Will Clapp, Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore
Key losses: None
Last meeting: 2021, Week 2; Cowboys 20 Chargers 17
The Los Angeles Chargers have quite a bit of offensive firepower led by QB Justin Herbert.
Herbert has weapons at his disposal.
Playmakers like RBs Austin Ekeler and Isaiah Spiller, WRs Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and rookie Quentin Johnston, and TE Gerald Everett make this a matchup worth waiting for.
Despite all of that firepower, that’s not why the Chargers end up so high on this list.
One of the key acquisitions for the Chargers is the signing of former Cowboys’ Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore.
Whispers around The Star were that Moore and Cowboys’ Head Coach Mike McCarthy had gotten to a point in their working relationship where it was best to part ways.
Many thought Moore was in line for a head coach position somewhere in the league, but he instead made a lateral move to the West coast.
No one can argue the success that Moore had in Dallas.
The past two seasons combined, the Cowboys lead the NFL with 29.3 points scored per game, and also are in the top five of several other offensive categories.
Two early playoff exits with a combined 29 points scored made Moore the scapegoat in Dallas, however.
He will be intent on running up the score when Dallas comes to town.
Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn will be intent on not letting that happen.
Get ready for some great football.
1. Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49ers
When: Week 5, Sunday 7:20pm kickoff
Key acquisitions: QB Sam Darnold, G Jon Feliciano, RT Colton McKivitz
Key losses: Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans
Last meeting: 2022 Playoffs Divisional round, Cowboys 12 49ers 19
This matchup between historical NFC powerhouses has to be the most anticipated matchup on the 2023 schedule.
The Cowboys and 49ers have had so many great games dating back to the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
From Dwight Clark’s catch, to Alvin Harper’s catch and run, to George Teague knocking Terrell Owens off of the star at midfield.
There never seems to be a dull moment in this rivalry.
This week 5 matchup will be a little spicier considering the 49ers have been the team to knock the Cowboys out of the playoffs the past two seasons.
Some say the two straight playoff exits at the hands of Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and now former Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans are the main reason Kellen Moore was allowed to leave Dallas for the same position in Los Angeles.
Moore’s offense sputtered vs the 49ers’ defense in the playoffs in successive seasons, averaging only 15.5 points per game in the two losses.
A far cry from the NFL high 29.3 points per game in the same two year span.
DeMeco Ryans accepted a head coach position with the Houston Texans, and has since been replaced by Steve Wilks.
The 49ers added former number one overall pick QB Sam Darnold into the fold to compete with Brock Purdy and Trey Lance.
If Shanahan has shown us anything, it’s that his offense can be successful no matter who is under center.
It also helps to have weapons like RBs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, and TE George Kittle.
How the Cowboys fare in this early season road game could be an indicator to how far the team has come, and how far they can go in the playoffs.
Get your popcorn ready.
