The Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 season is still in its infancy, but it won’t be long before the pressure starts to ramp up for Brian Schottenheimer and his roster.
America’s Team has lofty aspirations in the NFC East, and that means wins will become increasingly important the longer the regular season goes on.
Right now, prediction markets generally give the Cowboys a 27% chance to win the division. Traders looking to maximize offers like a Polymarket promo code will be keeping a close eye on how that implied probability changes throughout the season, especially as positive results will drive that percentage up.
However, games in October will be crucial to any hopes of a first NFC East title since 2023.
After the Cowboys return from Rio de Janeiro, where they face the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 27, a tricky gauntlet awaits from Week 4 to Week 7, with a Thursday-night turnaround against Tampa Bay and matchups building to what will be a decisive clash in Philadelphia.
The minimum expectation for Texans, Bucs, and Packers games
While Houston, Tampa Bay, and Green Bay are all difficult opponents, Dallas will not head into any game feeling like an underdog.
The Texans have racked up the third-most passing yards through two weeks (571), but struggled to convert that into points against the Bengals, while C.J. Stroud has been sacked seven times.
If the ‘Boys can put him under pressure, Dak Prescott will feel confident he can carve up a defense that has allowed 56 points so far.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are low on confidence after going 0-2.
Head coach Todd Bowles is under increasing pressure following a 23-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns, and while the Cowboys must stop a run game that has rushed for 226 yards so far, Schottenheimer will know that his team can pile on even more misery in Texas before a road trip to Green Bay.
Although the Packers’ defense has allowed the fifth-fewest yards through two games (524), it’s been far from smooth sailing for Matt LaFleur.
His team needed to grit out a 20-17 win against the New York Jets following a disappointing loss against Minnesota, and three giveaways in those games will make the Cowboys feel as though they can force turnovers in advantageous positions.
The subplot is Micah Parsons, who is working back from a torn ACL and could be available to face his former team at Lambeau Field.
All of the above, however, can practically be considered dress rehearsals in comparison to the final October matchup. Dallas should be aiming to win two out of three heading into Week 7, before Schottenheimer and company look to cement their credentials in the NFC East.
Cowboys must be at their best against Philadelphia
The Cowboys and Eagles are expected to be on a collision course in the East this year, and setting an early tone in this game could swing momentum in one team’s favor. With Dallas humming on offense and Philadelphia boasting a standout defensive unit, this could turn into a war of attrition.
Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Tariq Woolen are players in the secondary who can limit deep passing threats, while the team’s trenches can pressure the quarterback consistently.
The offensive line needs to be at its best, and Prescott needs to build on the record-setting, four-touchdown performance he delivered against Washington in Week 2.
But, as Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith noted, if the Cowboys have NFC East or Super Bowl hopes, Prescott can’t win it all by himself. He needs his supporting cast to show up.
On the opposite side of the ball, Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby will both feel they can exploit gaps in a Cowboys’ line that has surrendered 347 rushing yards through two games.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker needs to find a way to stop the run, but cannot give Jalen Hurts too much time to throw.
The quarterback demonstrated against Tennessee that he is capable of delivering in high-pressure situations, leading a game-winning drive to secure a 24-20 victory. If he isn’t pressured, and if the Cowboys’ secondary doesn’t lock down DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, matters might get out of hand in a hurry.
Win two of the first three and steal one in Philadelphia, and that division price will look very different by Halloween.
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