The Dallas Cowboys may have salvaged their entire season with an impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday, but there's still a lot of football left to be played before the 2019 season comes to an end. There's no way to accurately predict how the remainder of their season will turn out, but for the fun of it that's what I'm going to do today.
If the Dallas Cowboys continue to play the way they did against the Eagles last week I don't think there's a team left on the schedule they can't beat. They've got a lot of tough games ahead of them though and it won't be easy, but I think their best football is ahead of them.
I may be overly optimistic based on they way they played against Eagles, but I'm predicting the Cowboys reach double-digit wins. How many exactly? You're just going to have to continue to read below to find out the answer to that question.
Week 9: Cowboys @ Giants
The one thing we know for sure about the New York Giants is they aren't going to just roll over and let the Dallas Cowboys come to town and beat them on their home turf. That's especially true after the Cowboys thoroughly trounced them to open up the 2019 season. Having said that though, Dallas is the better team and still has the advantage on their side.
This of course isn't the same Giants team the Cowboys played in Week 1. Daniel Jones has taken over for Eli Manning at QB and Golden Tate has rejoined the team after serving his suspension. These two additions alone has made their team better, but I still don't think it's going to be enough. Dallas will have an extra week to prepare and should be well rested after spending three entire weeks at home, including the bye week, sleeping in their own beds.
Prediction: 31-17, Cowboys
Week 10: Cowboys vs. Vikings
At best, I believe the Minnesota Vikings are an average to slightly above average team so far in 2019 despite what the record says. With home-field advantage and fresh off a win against a division rival, I think this is a game the Dallas Cowboys should win. But, nothing is ever guaranteed in the NFL, which is why I'm predicting a low-scoring, hard fought battle between these two teams.
I think this game will ultimately be decided on how QB Kirk Cousins plays. He's been playing much better as of late by getting all of his playmakers involved. With RB Dalvin Cook and WRs Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs at his disposal, Cousins could make things extremely difficult for the Cowboys defense. They will have to be on their “A” game, but I think they will be able to do just enough to hold the Vikings at bay.
Prediction: 17-13, Cowboys
Week 11: Cowboys @ Lions
The Detroit Lions are always a team who gives the Dallas Cowboys a run for their money. I don't think this year will be any different, especially considering the Lions are playing some really good football right now. QB Matthew Stafford is statistically having one of his best seasons and his teammates are rallying behind him. Add home-field advantage, and this shapes up to be a tough matchup for the Cowboys.
If the Dallas Cowboys are truly coming off back to back wins after their bye week they should be able to carry that momentum into this matchup with the Lions. Even if they aren't able to do that, I believe this is a game Dallas is very capable of winning. They are the more talented team on both sides of the ball and I think they will finally start playing up to that talent. It might not be pretty, but I'm predicting the Cowboys secure their third victory in a row.
Prediction: 24-21, Cowboys
Week 12: Cowboys @ Patriots
Despite the New England Patriots impressive record thus far in 2019, I'm not completely convinced they're the best team in the league this year. I think they are definitely beatable and the Dallas Cowboys have the talent to be that team. However, this is a game that favors the Patriots on several different levels.
For the Cowboys to win this matchup they're going to have to beat the Patriots on their home turf, in November, when the weather can be a huge factor. That's a tough task for any team to overcome regardless of how much talent they have on the roster. Then take into account how good New England has proven to be in the latter part of the season and it just seems too much for the Dallas to overcome. It would take a near perfect game for the Cowboys and that's probably too much to ask.
Prediction: 27-17, Patriots
Week 13: Cowboys vs. Bills
The way the Buffalo Bills have played thus far in 2019 might be one of the biggest surprises to happen this year. They are currently 5-1, making them a team to take serious unlike in recent years when they were pretty much one of the bottom dwellers in the league. This is a Thanksgiving matchup the Dallas Cowboys should still win, but it's probably not going to be an easy victory.
For the Dallas Cowboys to win this game they're going to have to put points on the board against a pretty good defense. Fortunately, they have the talent on the offensive side of the ball to do just that. As good as the Bills defense is playing I don't think they're good enough to contain Dallas' playmakers for an entire game. On the flipside though I think the Cowboys defense has the ability to give second-year QB Josh Allen all he can handle, and more.
Prediction: 24-13, Cowboys
Week 14: Cowboys @ Bears
This will be yet another tough road matchup for the Dallas Cowboys where the weather can become a huge factor. The weather this time in year in Chicago is completely unpredictable, which could give the Bears the advantage they need to walk away with a W. But, the Cowboys are a team built to play in just about any kind of weather conditions regardless of how sloppy it may become.
I think this will probably be the best defense the Cowboys have seen all season. Dak Prescott and his playmakers will have to be at their best to put points on the board, but if they can find the end zone a few times I think they leave with the victory. As far as Chicago's offense is concerned, I don't think they are good enough to give Dallas' defense much of a problem. At least they haven't proven to be so far this season.
Prediction: 17-9, Cowboys
Week 15: Cowboys vs. Rams
The Dallas Cowboys still probably have a bad taste in their mouths after the way the Los Angeles Rams embarrassed them in the NFC Divisional Round in 2018. They will be looking for some redemption and it could be the motivation they need to beat a talented Rams team. It won't be easy, but having home-field advantage this time around should help though.
The Rams ability to run all over the Cowboys last year in the NFC Divisional Round was what propelled them to victory, but I don't expect that to happen this time around. Todd Gurley doesn't look quite like himself this season and CJ Anderson is no longer with the team. That means the game will likely come down to how well QB Jared Goff performs and that could play right into the hands of the Cowboys. I think this will be a close game that could go either way, but I'm predicting home-field advantage pays off.
Prediction: 20-17, Cowboys
Week 16: Cowboys @ Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys completely embarrassed the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7 and there is no reason to believe they can't do it again. It might be a little bit more difficult this time though since the Eagles have the home-field advantage and the weather in Philadelphia could become a factor. Plus, divisional opponents always play each other tough regardless of what their records may indicate.
I think this game could come down to whether or not QB Carson Wentz is healthy. In the past two seasons he hasn't even suited up in these last few games due to injuries and they no longer have Nick Foles to fall back on. If Wentz is healthy though the Cowboys will have to do to him what they did in their first meeting. Continue to pressure him throughout the game and force him into making a mistake or two. If they can do that I think they end up sweeping the Eagles for the second year in a row.
Prediction: 24-20, Cowboys
Week 17: Cowboys vs. Redskins
To close out the 2019 regular-season the Dallas Cowboys will end with a familiar foe, their division rival, the Washington Redskins. By no means are the Redskins a good team right now, which is why they fired their head coach way before the halfway point of the season. This is a game the Cowboys should absolutely dominate once again, much like they did in Week 2.
I think the only the way the Cowboys lose this game is if they decide to rest their starters with the playoffs just around the corner. If things have gone the way I've predicted that's a very real possibility, but even then Jason Garrett hasn't been known to sit players even with a playoff spot already secured. Even if Garrett decides to sit a few key players this is still a very winnable game for Dallas. That's why I'm predicting they close out the regular-season with yet another victory.
Prediction: 28-13, Cowboys
