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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.