A Dallas Cowboys football blog

Cowboys will win early and often to set themselves up for a tough 2nd half of the season

9 Comments

How can you say you’re near the start of the NFL regular season without projecting wins and losses of your favorite team?

We aren’t just near the start of the season, we are pushed right up against it.

The NFL kicks off the 2023 campaign on Thursday Night Football with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions.

America’s Team doesn’t kick off until Sunday night in New York against the Giants, and it marks the beginning of one of the most hyped seasons in recent Cowboys memory.

Dallas has broken out of their usual conservative offseason shells, being bold and trading for two players they hope can get the team over the hump.

They do have their work cut out for them, however.

According to Pro Football Network, the Dallas Cowboys will play the ninth most difficult strength of schedule based on last year’s records.

Aside from their own NFC East rivals, the Cowboys will face the AFC East and NFC West divisions.

Today I will go game by game with my own personal predictions of just how the Cowboys season will play out, along with postseason results.

Cowboys will win early and often to set themselves up for a tough second half of the season
Dallas Cowboys 2023 regular season schedule.

Week 1: at New York Giants

Prediction: W, 27-13
Record: 1-0

Dallas opens the season on the road against the rival Giants.

Despite starting the game a little rusty due to not having any preseason reps, the starters on offense turn it up in the second half to score three touchdowns.

Daniel Jones and the Giants offense are forced to be one dimensional after falling behind by 21 points, and can only manage a garbage time touchdown against the Cowboys reserves.

Cowboys Open Season Playing Both NY Teams, NY Giants/NY Jets 1
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers

Week 2: vs New York Jets

Prediction: W, 23-17
Record: 2-0

The Cowboys’ Boogeyman comes back to AT&T Stadium, albeit in a different uniform.

Aaron Rodgers was a pain in the Cowboys’ side throughout his entire career with the Green Bay Packers.

This time around he’s wearing a different shade of green, but he will also get different results.

In typical Rodgers fashion, he keeps the game close, but a suspect offensive line eventually gives way to the Cowboys pass rush.

Much like Tom Brady last year, the Cowboys break the curse versus another future Hall of Fame quarterback, and edge out the Jets in the home opener.

Cardinals
Aug 3, 2017; Canton, OH, USA; The Arizona Cardinals offense lines up at the line of scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys defense during the first quarter at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals

Prediction: W, 34-10
Record: 3-0

Some strange things have happened in Arizona over the years.

A Mat McBriar blocked punt in overtime comes to mind, but this team isn’t messing around this season.

Dallas easily dispatches a Cardinals team that is widely expected to finish with the worst overall record in the NFL with a new head coach and no Kyler Murray.

Sean's Scout: Timely Stops on Defense, Clutch Passing Game Earn Cowboys Win at Patriots 1
Oct 17, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) makes the catch and runs the ball for the game winning touchdown against New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) in overtime at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Week 4: vs New England Patriots

Prediction: W, 27-20
Record: 4-0

Prior to the victory in New England two years ago, the Cowboys had not defeated the Patriots since the 20th century.

Any team coached by the legendary Bill Belichick will be a tough out, but even Belichick can’t force Mac Jones to outplay Dak Prescott.

Ezekiel Elliott will make an emotional return to AT&T Stadium, and will even score on a goal line opportunity.

However, Jones and the Patriots offense will fail to complete a game winning drive, and head back to New England losers of two in a row against Dallas.

2022 campaign was a season of chaos in Dallas 2
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 22: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys passes on the run during an NFL divisional round playoff football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: W, 30-20
Record: 5-0

Some of you might call me a homer for this prediction, but the truth is the Cowboys offseason moves show they fixed what ailed them in two straight playoff losses to these 49ers.

They added speed on offense to keep the San Francisco defense from sitting on routes, and added beef on the defensive interior to stop the run.

Brock Purdy will struggle to find open passing lanes, and the 49ers defense will not be as stout without DeMeco Ryans calling from the sideline.

Top 5 Quarterbacks the Dallas Cowboys Will Face in 2021
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at SoFi Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Week 6: at Los Angeles Chargers

Prediction: L, 28-23
Record: 5-1

After an emotional win in San Francisco, the Cowboys stay on the West Coast to take on the Chargers.

Kellen Moore gets the last laugh after Justin Herbert and the offense put up the most points allowed by the Cowboys defense to date on Monday Night Football.

Dallas hopes to go into their bye week undefeated, but a late 4th quarter surge by the offense comes up just short.

Cowboys will win early and often to set themselves up for a tough 2nd half of the season; Cowboys News
Aug 28, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: C. Morgan Engel-USA TODAY Sports

Week 8: vs Los Angeles Rams

Prediction: W, 41-15
Record: 6-1

After a week off to recuperate, the Cowboys return home to host a depleted Rams team.

Hitting on all cylinders, and angry after the loss to the other Los Angeles team, Dallas puts up their first 40 point game of the season.

Those 41 points include a strip sack of Matthew Stafford that the defense returns for a touchdown.

Are the Cowboys the best team in the NFC?
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 27: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a sack of Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on September 27, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Week 9: at Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction: L, 26-23
Record: 6-2

Eagles fans have been chirping all offseason, and Cowboys fans can’t wait to exact their revenge.

Unfortunately, they will have to wait some more, and also endure more trash talk for a few weeks after Dallas comes up short on the road in Philadelphia.

Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni devises a ball control style game plan to keep the Cowboys offense off of the field.

Philadelphia, powered by their home crowd, make a few more big plays than Dallas and kick the go-ahead field goal on the final possession of the game.

Will the New York Giants be a threat to the Dallas Cowboys this season?
New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll

Week 10: vs New York Giants

Prediction: W, 35-20
Record: 7-2

After a rare divisional loss at Philadelphia, Prescott and the offense get back on track to win his 12th straight start against the Giants.

Wink Martindale and the Giants defense still have no answer for the Cowboys’ quick passing game to counteract his blitzing scheme.

Tony Pollard has a big game, scoring two touchdowns and 200 total yards on 25 touches.

The remaining predictions will be unveiled in a separate article.

I will reveal the rest of the regular season, and dive into the postseason! Stay tuned.

Mario Herrera Jr.

Staff Writer

Mario Herrera Jr. is a husband, a father of three, and he has been a Dallas Cowboys fan since 1991. He's a stats guy, although stats don't always tell the whole story. Writing about the Dallas Cowboys is his passion. Dak Prescott apologist.

Follow this author:

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments