Regular season NFL football has finally arrived, and all of the anticipation for a Cowboys fan base building up since the playoff loss in San Francisco has come to a head.
Today, I complete my season prediction by going game by game to determine how the Cowboys season will play out.
Some may call it conjecture, but I believe all of the signs of a successful season are there if one is willing to look past previous failures.
My prediction for the first half of the season has the Cowboys starting 7-2, and if you missed it, click here to read all about it.
The first half of the season ended with the Cowboys securing a home win, and completion of the sweep of the rival Giants.
Their focus then turns to a rookie quarterback on the road.
Week 11: at Carolina Panthers
Prediction: W, 34-6
Record: 8-2
Facing the Cowboys defense later in the season when he's had nine games of starting experience is a favor to Panthers rookie QB Bryce Young, but it won't help.
Dan Quinn and the Cowboys defense stifle Young and the Panthers offense, forcing multiple turnovers, and allowing just two field goals.
Could we possibly see QB Trey Lance in mop-up duty by this point in the season?
The starters could use some extra rest with the short Thanksgiving week looming ahead.
Week 12: vs Washington Commanders (Thanksgiving)
Prediction: W, 26-16
Record: 9-2
Ron Rivera and the Washington Commanders better eat their Thanksgiving turkey before the game because they won't be able to enjoy it afterwards.
Only time will tell if Sam Howell is still the starting quarterback this late in November, but no matter who is under center, they won't have an answer for the Cowboys defense.
“Scary” Terry McLaurin will once again be deleted by CB Trevon Diggs, and the defensive line will have Howell running for his life.
Week 13: vs Seattle Seahawks
Prediction: L, 28-20
Record: 9-3
Instead of having 10 days rest after Thanksgiving, the NFL schedule makers have the Cowboys playing the very next Thursday night.
An up and coming Seahawks team gets the better of the Cowboys as the fatigue of three games in 11 days catches up with them.
The offense will lack juice, and the defense will be a step slower than the plethora of weapons on the Seattle offense.
Week 14: vs Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: W, 44-34
Record: 10-3
After the first matchup in Philadelphia resulted in median scoring, the fast turf at AT&T stadium will help both offenses show off their weapons.
Dallas will once again shred the Eagles defense at home, and put up over 40 points versus Philadelphia at home for the third straight time with Prescott at the helm.
This game will surely have huge playoff and divisional implications depending on how the Eagles previous games played out.
Week 15: at Buffalo Bills
Prediction: L, 35-24
Record: 10-4
After an emotional win over the Eagles, the Cowboys come back down to earth on the icy turf in Buffalo.
Josh Allen's scrambling ability will give the defense fits, and powered by the weather and the home crowd, the Bills defense will do enough to keep the Cowboys down.
This game is a possible Super Bowl preview, and will trigger much nostalgia in the lead up to the Monday night matchup.
Week 16: at Miami Dolphins
Prediction: L, 31-30
Record: 10-5
Still attempting to thaw out from the frost-fest in Buffalo, the Dolphins give the Cowboys coal in their stocking for Christmas.
Old ghosts come out in the form of an offensive scheme from Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel, a branch off the Kyle Shanahan tree.
The creativity of McDaniels coupled with weapons like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Devon Achane prove to be enough to give Dallas their only multiple game losing streak of the season.
Week 17: vs Detroit Lions
Prediction: W, 27-24
Record: 11-5
I could be slightly biased since I will be personally attending this game, but however it shakes out, I believe it will be a close game down to the wire.
Dallas got the best of the Lions last season in Prescott's first game back from injury.
Dan Campbell and the Lions are media darlings expected to make a huge leap forward, but they will come up short in Dallas.
Week 18: at Washington Commanders
Prediction: W, 16-13
Record: 12-5
For the umpteenth time, Dallas travels to a division rival with massive playoff implications on the line.
They haven't always come out on top, but this time they will to finish the regular season at 12-5 for the third year in a row.
Postseason
Entering Week 18, I have the Cowboys at 11-5 and the Eagles at 12-4.
Dallas wins in Washington, and the Eagles drop a road game at the Giants to even their records at 12-5.
The Cowboys, by virtue of their 5-1 record in the NFC East win the tiebreaker for the division title.
I don't believe 12-5 will win the NFC's top seed, as I have the Vikings finishing 13-4 to secure that spot.
Without a bye, Dallas will host the 7th seeded NFC team, likely the Giants or Packers, and they handle business.
In the Divisional round, Dallas will host the 3rd seed in the NFC, and their nemesis the San Francisco 49ers.
Third time is the charm for the Cowboys, as they finally dispose of the 49ers in the playoffs to advance to their first NFC Championship game since the 1995 season.
Dallas gets another home game after the Eagles knock off the 1-seed Vikings to setup an all NFC East Conference Championship Game.
That's as far as I'll go in this exercise. Come back and see me on January 28, 2024 so we can discuss just how that game plays out.
