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Last week the NFL officially released the 2021 schedules and as such we now know exactly when, where, and who the Dallas Cowboys will play each week. There’s still a lot of unknown as to what kind of team Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff can put together, but the way the schedule plays out the Cowboys have a good shot at becoming a serious playoff contender.
Today, we go game by game to try to predict how many wins and losses the Dallas Cowboys could accumulate this season. It’s still way-too-early to know with any kind of accuracy how things will shake out, especially considering the unpredictability of the NFL season anyway, but it’s still fun exercise nonetheless.
Week 1: Cowboys @ Buccaneers
(September 9, 8:20 PM NBC)
The Dallas Cowboys open up the 2021 NFL season on the road against Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champions. While this will be a closer game than many would lead you to believe, it is one that favors the Buccaneers far too much to predict a Cowboys victory. Tom Brady improves to 6-0 against Dallas. LOSS
Dallas Cowboys (0-1)
Week 2: Cowboys @ Chargers
(September 19, 4:25 PM CBS)
Justin Herbert was a pleasant surprise for the Chargers last year as a rookie and should be even better in Year 2. But, he doesn’t have enough firepower surrounding him to keep pace with all of Dallas’ offensive weapons. Despite the back-to-back games on the road, the Cowboys win this one in a shoot out. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Week 3: Cowboys vs. Eagles
(September 27, 8:15 PM ESPN)
In the first of their three consecutive home games the Cowboys take on their division rival the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia typically plays the Cowboys tough, but with the new head coach and a roster that is in the middle of a little bit of a rebuild its unlikely they’ll present much of a problem for Dallas in this Week 3 matchup. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Week 4: Cowboys vs. Panthers
(October 3, 1 PM FOX)
The last time Sam Darnold played the Cowboys back in 2019 he torched them for 338 passing yards and two touchdowns as a member of the New York Jets. As the Carolina Panthers new QB he’s likely hoping for a repeat performance. He may end up having a good game, but it won’t be enough to beat Dallas on their home turf. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
Week 5: Cowboys vs. Giants
(October 10, 4:25 PM FOX)
To close out their three-game homestand the Dallas Cowboys will take on another division rival in the New York Giants. The return of RB Saquon Barkley and the offseason addition of WR Kenny Golladay will be tough matchups for Dallas’ defense, but nothing they shouldn’t be able to keep in check long enough to outlast the Giants in the end. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (4-1)
Week 6: Cowboys @ Patriots
(October 17, 4:25 PM CBS)
It doesn’t matter if it’s Cam Newton or Mac Jones, the Dallas Cowboys will have the best QB on the field in Week 6 in New England. Bill Belichick and his defense will be well prepared and will likely make things as difficult as possible for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense, but in the end it won’t be enough to seal the victory. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
Week 7: BYE WEEK
Rest. Relax. Recuperate.
Listen to the latest episode of Jersey Boyz on the Blogging The Boys podcast feed where we ran through the entire schedule week by week. Subscribe to the Blogging The Boys podcast network on Apple devices right here or on Spotify right here.
Week 8: Cowboys @ Vikings
(October 31, 8:20 PM NBC)
This is a game that could go either way. The Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings seem pretty evenly matched across the board. The Cowboys to have extra time prepare for this matchup due to the bye week, but home field advantage and the fact that Dalvin Cook has been a thorn in Dallas’ side gives the Vikings the slight advantage. LOSS
Dallas Cowboys (5-2)
Week 9: Cowboys vs. Broncos
(November 7, 1 PM FOX)
This matchup has trap game written all over it. The Denver Broncos are a team the Cowboys should be able to handle relatively easily, but not to the point where they should be overlooked. Denver has enough talent on both sides of the ball to give the Cowboys problems if they aren’t on top of their game. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
Week 10: Cowboys vs. Falcons
(November 14, 1 PM FOX)
You can bet Dan Quinn has this matchup circled on the calendar after getting fired by the Atlanta Falcons last year. It took a lucky bounce on an onside kick for the Cowboys to win this game last season and it could easily be another close one this year as well. In the end, the Cowboys prevail once again on their home field turf. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (7-2)
Week 11: Cowboys @ Chiefs
(November 21, 4:25 PM FOX)
Patrick Mahomes on his home field turf with all of his offensive firepower against the Cowboys questionable defense doesn’t inspire much confidence in a Cowboys victory. Having said that though, Dak Prescott and his weapons make this a closer game than many will believe. Sadly, Iit won’t be enough. LOSS
Dallas Cowboys (7-3)
Week 12: Cowboys vs. Raiders
(November 25, 4:30 PM CBS)
The Cowboys have a quick turnaround and little time to prepare for the Las Vegas Raiders after the long journey to and from Kansas City to play the Chiefs on the road. Luckily the Raiders are arguably the least talented team on the Cowboys 2021 schedule this year. This game should be a cakewalk for Dallas. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
Week 13: Cowboys @ Saints
(December 2, 8:20 PM FOX/NFLN/Amazon)
If Drew Brees was still the starting QB for the Saints this would be one of the tougher opponents on the Cowboys schedule this season. Without him under center though their offense isn’t nearly as efficient. The Cowboys get ahead in this one early and maintain their lead throughout the entire game. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
Week 14: Cowboys @ WFT
(December 12, 4:30 PM FOX)
It’s a little unusual the first time the Cowboys and Washington play one another in 2021 to be this late in the season, but that’s the way the schedule worked out this year. Due to the unpredictable weather in DC at this time of the year in December and Washington’s talented defense, this shapes up like a game that favors WFT. LOSS
Dallas Cowboys (9-4)
Week 15: Cowboys @ Giants
(December 19, 1 PM FOX)
The schedule makers didn’t do the Dallas Cowboys any favors scheduling back-to-back road games against division rivals. The Giants added quite a bit of firepower this season and after losing the first matchup earlier in the year they will be looking to get a little bit of revenge on their home field turf. That could be the difference maker in Week 15. LOSS
Dallas Cowboys (9-5)
Week 16: Cowboys vs. WFT
(December 26, 8:20 PM NBC)
After back-to-back road games against divisional opponents the Cowboys get to return back home to play WFT for the second time in three weeks. This matchup has revenge game written all over it. Expect a slobber-knocker type of game with lots of trash talk and big hits. With home-field advantage Dallas has the edge though. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
Week 17: Cowboys vs. Cardinals
(January 2, 1 PM FOX)
The Arizona Cardinals 38-10 victory over the Cowboys last year was a complete embarrassment for Cowboys fans. QB Kyler Murray was allowed to scramble all over the place and RB Kenyon Drake dominated on the ground. This should be fresh in a lot of the Cowboys players minds and they should be looking to get a little revenge. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Week 18: Cowboys @ Eagles
(January 9, 1 PM FOX)
After splitting games with both the Giants and Washington already, this Week 18 matchup with the Eagles could determine who wins the NFC East division. If everything plays out like predicted, the Cowboys could also be playing for a first-round bye. If that’s true, Dallas has something to play for and that’s bad news for the Eagles. WIN
Dallas Cowboys (12-5)