The Dallas Cowboys are coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons, and in 2023 they find themselves the favorites in all but five games.
All of which are on the road.
It is slow around the star right now, but training camp will be here in just a few short weeks.
Dallas has the 8th hardest schedule, according to ESPN.com.
All five teams that are favored over the Cowboys made the playoffs last season, and after looking at it, there is only one that I can’t entirely agree with.
As noted, Dallas is on the road for all of these games, so it makes sense as to why they are underdogs.
With that said, let’s jump into those five games and see if you agree.
Week 5
Week five is on the road against the team that has sent Dallas home the last two years in the playoffs.
The 49ers.
The Niners are +2.5 at home. It could change by the time we get to this game, depending on who they have at quarterback.
Brock Purdy had elbow surgery in March, and Trey Lance and Sam Darnold are battling for the No. 2 spot on the roster. Who knows, they may need one of them.
By the time this game rolls around, the line could change.
The 49ers have the Cowboys’ number, but Dallas could pull this game out.
Week 6
The following week, the Cowboys travel to take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
LA will be fresh off a bye week, so they are ONE-point favorites.
This will be like a home game for Dallas. The last time they traveled there, it was 60% Cowboy fans.
Dallas will have a bye-week after this game, so it would be nice to head into it with a victory.
Week 9
After the bye week and at home in week eight against the Rams, the Cowboys are back on the road against Philly.
This is the most critical part of the season.
They play the Eagles here and in week 14. My guess is they split; then it will come down to the boys taking care of business.
In week nine, Philly is field goal favorites. It’s about right.
Dallas will probably lose this game, but it will be tight throughout.
Week 15
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are four-point favorites in week 15.
By this time in the season, we should understand whether Dallas needs to win this game for seeding or the NFC East crown.
Say whatever you want about this, but I think both teams will be battling for the No. 1 seed in their respective conferences.
The line might change by then, but I thought the Bills would be more toward a six-point favorite than a four.
Week 16
Dallas is still on the road the following week, this time at Miami to take on the Dolphins.
The Cowboys are 1.5 dogs against the Phins.
These last games are hard to tell if they will stay this way, but Dallas wins even if this game is week two or three.
The Cowboys have some tougher games on the road. If they win three out of five, I’ll be happy.
I will dive into my season prediction later this month, but they should be alright.