The 2023 Dallas Cowboys schedule saw seven matchups with postseason teams, and to say they struggled in those seven critical games is an understatement.
Dallas went 3-5 in total, including that embarrassing playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
This trend has stuck around for the Cowboys in recent years.
The Cowboys beat up on the bad teams, you get your hopes up, they can’t replicate it against good teams, and you’re let down once again.
Best Point Differential Against Teams Under .500
1 Cowboys (+199)
2 Bills (+89)
3 Lions (+73)
4 Dolphins (+66)Best Point Differential Against Teams .500 or Better
1 Ravens (+112)
2 49ers (+65)
3 Eagles (+29)
…
22 Cowboys (-37)
23 Titans (-40)— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) November 24, 2023
Heading into the 2024 campaign, this trend will be tested once again.
They have eight games against teams that made the playoffs in 2023, five of which are inside the NFC.
In short, Dallas has some tough matchups ahead this season.
Everybody knows how high the stakes are for the Cowboys this time around.
Another postseason collapse could mean the jobs of Mike McCarthy, Dak Prescott, and the coaching staff as a whole.
The Cowboys’ schedule, while hard, is something they have to conquer.
With this in mind, let’s look at how they stack up against some of the toughest teams on the 2024 schedule.
Week 11: The Texas Showdown
Few matchups will be as hyped up as the Cowboys primetime showdown with the Texas in Week 11.
This will be the first matchup between the two Texas teams since superstar Quarterback, C.J. Stroud, joined the fold in Houston.
Prescott and CeeDee Lamb vs Stroud and Stefon Diggs will result in fireworks.
TRADE: Bills trading WR Stefon Diggs to the Texans in exchange for a 2025 2nd-round pick. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/Gtg7jOKeNW
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2024
Aside from the eye-catching talent, it should be a crucial game for Dallas to win.
While it is outside the NFC, the Texans are poised to be a top-four seed in the AFC, and beating them could give the Cowboys a huge boost of confidence.
The game is also sandwiched between inner-division matchups.
They have the Eagles in Week 10, and the Giants and Commanders in weeks 11 and 12.
There is no denying the Texans have public opinion on their side, but Dallas may still have the upper hand.
At home, the Cowboys are tough to beat, and Houston is still a very young team.
Cowboys at home this season
NFL Rank
Record: 8-0 | 1st
PPG: 37.4 | 1st
PPG Diff: +21.5 | 1st
Turnover Diff: +10 | 1st
Dak Pass Rtg: 120.0 | 1st"At home, they've been the best team in the NFC this yr." — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/0kqzIlAwUf
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 3, 2024
That does not make it an easy game, but sophomore slumps for quarterbacks are real, and this is still a unit that lost 34-10 against the Ravens in the divisional round.
Let them have the hype, Dallas will be the favorite to win this game against the Texans.
Week 6: New Bad Blood
Because of some confusing refereeing, a new NFC rivalry was sparked last December.
Seams like the Lions sent three lineman to the ref to try and confuse the Cowboys. #70 raises his hand before the snap to also.. confuse the Cowboys.
Instead, they confused the referee.
— Andrew Hawkins (@Hawk) December 31, 2023
There is no love lost between the Cowboys and the Lions, especially from the ladder.
Heading into 2024, both teams have a lot at stake in this highly anticipated rematch.
Detroit will have their chance at revenge on the road, while Dallas tries to extend a six-game winning streak against their midwestern-foe.
It is also an early test for both teams, and it could be a huge tie-breaker game come seeding time.
In the 2023 postseason, Dallas landed the 2 seed because they beat the Lions in the regular season.
Now, obviously, the 2 seed didn’t work out too well for the Cowboys.
But regardless of that, seeding is incredibly important and we may see a similar scenario play out again in 2024 with this matchup.
Recently-paid Quarterback Jared Goff and a new-look Lions secondary will be tough to beat again.
BREAKING: Lions signing Jared Goff to four-year, $212M extension. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/9CPRfp53qx
— NFL (@NFL) May 13, 2024
Because the Cowboys schedule has them home for this game, they will likely be the favorites heading in.
However, these are two teams that made opposite strides this offseason.
Because of the Lions’ added talent, Dallas may be at a disadvantage in this one, but a win would not be shocking either.
Week 17: Potential Division Decider
Would it be a Cowboys schedule without a late-season, NFC East matchup to decide the division?
It seems like this scenario plays out every year, and 2024 might be no different.
Dallas is matched up, on the road, with the Eagles in Week 17.
The two overwhelming favorites to win the division, both teams will likely need this game to be crowned NFC East champions.
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1801630687855890699
In 2023, they were separated by just one game in the final standings.
Had Dallas lost their December matchup, it would have been Philadelphia winning back-to-back division titles.
This goes to show how crucial these late-season meetings are in the NFC East.
While these two rivals did split the season series 1-1 last year, Prescott has a particular ability to take down the Eagles.
Since entering the league, he is 9-4 against Philadelphia.
Perhaps that’s the real reason they don’t like Prescott very much.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott receiving the Walter Payton Man of the Year award before the Super Bowl in Arizona. Eagles fans booing him.
Dak laughs: “Philly fans.” pic.twitter.com/3R8Ofjon5X
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 12, 2023
In all seriousness, both teams have firepower on offense and some defensive stars, though Dallas has the advantage in the head coach department.
They are very even squads in total.
This matchup is on the road for Dallas, but if Eagles fans start counting their chickens based on that, they might be in for a Sunday of disappointment.
You should never bet against Prescott when he plays an NFC East rival.
