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We may still be in the single digits as far as practices at training camp, but the regular season is quickly approaching. This is a very good thing.
Soon enough, as part of the NFL’s annual rite of passage, the Dallas Cowboys will open things up with a Week 1 date against the New York Giants and all will be right in the world. We’ve waited a long time for that.
One week after that the Cowboys will hit the road and travel to Washington. Interestingly enough, a home game against New York then a road game in Washington was how Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott got their careers started three years ago, hopefully this season results in at least 13 wins, too.
The third week of the season for Dallas will feature a home date against the Miami Dolphins and it’s hard to know now just who will be their quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen are competing for the job, but you know how competitions go. In fact all three of the first opponents for the Cowboys are in really bad interesting quarterback situations.
BetOnline recently published odds for various starting quarterbacks when Week 1 officially arrives. Those three teams, New York, Washington, and Miami, were all part of the teams listed. That’s very good news for the Cowboys.
Miami Dolphins
Ryan Fitzpatrick 2/5
Josh Rosen 10/17
New York Giants
Eli Manning 1/10
Daniel Jones 5/1
Case Keenum 1/1
Colt McCoy 2/1
Dwayne Haskins 5/2
Yikes.
The Cowboys absolutely have to capitalize on those first three games
It’s no question that the Cowboys have a tough schedule in 2019. They have road games at New Orleans, New England, Chicago, and of course Philadelphia. They have to host the Rams, Packers, and yes, the Eagles. Those are all tough games.
This is why (shocker here) they need to build as strong of a cushion as possible. Thankfully the first three games present a great opportunity for that. Consider that each of those three are all in spots right now where they’re debating among average players just for who’s going to start at the most important position. Then consider that whoever they choose has to face the Hot Boyz.
Every year we hear all about teams and their playoff chances with 0-2, 1-1, or 2-0 starts, but it’s no secret that the Cowboys will be in great position should they win their first three games, and the thing is they’re all extremely winnable. That’s not kool-aid talk, that’s the truth.
It’s generally agreed upon that double-digit wins gets you in the playoffs, right? Assuming the Cowboys do, in fact, pitch a perfect game through the season’s first three weeks then consider the rest and try to find seven wins. It’s not supremely difficult:
- Week 4 at New Orleans Saints
- Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers
- Week 6 at New York Jets
- Week 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 9 at New York Giants
- Week 10 vs. Minnesota Viking,s
- Week 11 at Detroit Lions
- Week 12 at New England Patriots
- Week 13 vs. Buffalo Bills
- Week 14 at Chicago Bears
- Week 15 vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Week 16 at Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 17 vs. Washington Redskins
The truth about football seasons is that teams will likely lose a game they shouldn’t and win one that nobody saw coming. There are a lot of intimidating Sundays facing the Cowboys this fall (that Week 12 through Week 16 stretch is dicey) so if they load up with a 3-0 record to start they allow themselves all the more room for error.
New York, Washington, and Miami have quarterback issues. It’d be nice to capitalize on that.