The talk of the week after being blown out by the New Orleans Saints was Dallas Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy’s track record after a loss. His teams have shown a propensity to bounce back after losses, and that was an expectation against the Baltimore Ravens.
John Harbaugh and the Ravens spit on that expectation, coming into AT&T Stadium and bullying the Cowboys to the tune of 274 yards rushing at 6.1 yards per carry. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry found wide open running lanes, averaging a whopping 5.3 yards before first contact.
If you were yelling at your television screen (like me) “where is everyone on defense???”, that wild stat explains why. Frustration is at an all-time high after a third consecutive blowout loss, and that frustration is reverberating on the sideline, in the locker room, in the coach’s room, and throughout the fanbase.
Why can’t this uber-talented roster of players get it together and execute? If you are stressed about the level of play the Cowboys have put on the field this season, you might want to shield your eyes from their upcoming schedule.
The combined records of the next seven opponents on the Cowboys’ schedule is 14-10. That might not seem like a daunting record, but when we go through each opponent individually, it’s cause for concern. Five of those eight games are on the road, and the Cowboys are currently last place in the NFC East. The season could get real ugly, real fast.
at New York Giants (1-2)
First up are the New York Giants this week on Thursday Night Football. New York’s lone win this season was a six-point road win over the same Cleveland Browns team the Cowboys defeated in week 1.
It was a close win, but a win nonetheless, and a superstar has been born. WR Malik Nabers, the 6th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has arrived on the scene and currently ranks third in the NFC in receiving yards.
After 10 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown versus the Washington Commanders last week, Nabers caught another eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns to help the Giants secure the win over the Browns.
With rookie CB Caelen Carson struggling a bit in coverage thus far, Nabers will be a player to watch on Thursday night who could change the game for the Giants if the porous Cowboys’ defense can’t contain him.
at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
No Russell Wilson? No problem. The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of five undefeated teams left this season, and they are winning behind a stout defense complemented by smart offensive football. Maybe the Cowboys should take a lesson out of their playbook.
Despite their starting quarterback being out with injury, the Steelers are playing great football around backup QB Justin Fields. Pittsburgh started the season with two big road wins over the Falcons and Broncos, then took down Justin Herbert and the Chargers in their home opener.
Pittsburgh is a tough football team that relies on defensive stops and their rushing attack, something the Cowboys tend to struggle with.
vs Detroit Lions (2-1)
Detroit has revenge on their minds after the infamous “ineligible man downfield” call on a successful 2-point conversion last December in Dallas. The Cowboys squeaked out the win, and the Lions felt cheated.
They get their chance to avenge that loss a few weeks from now, and despite a close loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit has quality wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals.
Detroit plays a hard-nosed style of football, but they can also air it out behind QB Jared Goff and his pride of weapons if need be. Dan Campbell is licking his chops watching how physical play can throw the Cowboys off of their game.
at San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
There isn’t much to say about the San Francisco 49ers that we don’t already know. They are the beast that cannot be tamed, and the sty in Mike McCarthy’s eye. Three consecutive losses to this team makes it difficult to call it a rivalry, but it’s a game we all look forward to.
The 49ers are a little hampered by injury with RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Deebo Samuel missing time, but if there is anything we have learned about San Francisco, it’s that HC Kyle Shanahan’s scheme is fit to serve all players.
By the time the Cowboys visit Santa Clara, the 49ers will likely be full strength and too much to handle, once again.
at Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Kirk Cousins has brought a new identity to the Falcons offense, and finally given Atlanta a capable signal caller they have lacked since Matt Ryan retired.
The Falcons have two tough losses to the Steelers and Chiefs this season, but did manage a quality road win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Atlanta can run the ball with the best of them behind a powerful offensive line and on the legs of Bijan Robinson.
When they need to pass, Cousins has an arsenal with names like Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts to throw to. Their defense is also much improved, and their style of play can give the Cowboys problems.
vs Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
The first matchup this season against the rival Eagles won’t come until week 10. Either the Cowboys will have fixed their issues or we are in for a long week of Eagles fans clowning us all over social media.
Jalen Hurts is a turnover machine, but Saquon Barkley looks like the best running back in the NFL behind the Eagles’ offensive line. Philadelphia might be undefeated if AJ Brown had played in a close loss to Atlanta.
If the offense jells in Kellen Moore’s system, the Cowboys might have a tough time keeping up with the Eagles on the field and in the divisional race.
vs Houston Texans (2-1)
The battle for the Governor’s Cup went in the Cowboys’ favor in the last matchup between the two teams during the 2022 season. Houston has the firepower on both sides of the ball to win the cup this time around.
It’s a new era in Houston under HC DeMeco Ryans and stunning young QB CJ Stroud. This Houston team is loaded on both sides of the ball, and their only loss thus far has come at the hands of the surprisingly undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
Houston would love to have bragging rights over the Cowboys yet again, and the way this season is going for Dallas, that seems likely to happen.
at Washington Commanders (2-1)
The Washington Commanders might have finally found their quarterback of the future. Second overall pick Jayden Daniels has played well to start the season, leading his team to a 2-1 record in a nearly perfect game versus the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.
Daniels had more total touchdowns (3) than incompletions (2) on Monday night, leading his team to a stunning win over the Bengals and propelling the NFC East leading Commanders to a 2-1 record.
You read that right. The Washington Commanders lead the NFC East along with the Eagles, but technically leading due to a tiebreaker won by points scored. A win over the Commanders is no longer a given.
Let’s just say the Cowboys manage to win in New York on Thursday night. That would put their record at 2-2 for the season before they enter the rest of this gauntlet on their schedule. If they don’t tighten things up, they could find themselves at the bottom of the NFC with a possible 2-9 record, and heads will roll.