The Dallas Cowboys came up just short of the playoffs following an inconsistent season in 2017, and after an offseason of major change, they are determined to get back to the playoffs and make another run to the Super Bowl. While the Cowboys are not the favorite in the NFC East, many are expecting another playoff berth. Here's a game-by-game prediction of the Cowboys' schedule this year:
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
Both Carolina and Dallas rely on their ground-and-pound attacks to carry them, and I'll give the edge to Ezekiel Elliott in a game where the Panthers will be without star linebacker Thomas Davis due to suspension.
Week 2: vs. New York Giants
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
New York will be better this year but, assuming their secondary doesn't suddenly improve, the Cowboys offense should have a field day. Dallas will win their first home game of the season.
Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Prediction: LOSS (2-1)
The Seahawks missed the playoffs for the first time since drafting quarterback Russell Wilson in 2011 and they will come out hungry looking for revenge on the entire NFL. Seattle's home field advantage is one of the best in the entire league due to the noise the stadium creates.
Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
Dallas should pick up the win against a vulnerable Lions team with plenty of question marks on defense. Expect Dak Prescott and Elliott to have a big game in this one.
Week 5: at Houston Texans
Prediction: LOSS (3-2)
Houston is going to be a much better team in 2018 with Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt both fully healthy, along with the addition of Tyrann Mathieu. This in-state rivalry will be a heated one - but one I see the home team winning narrowly.
Week 6: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Prediction: LOSS (3-3)
Jacksonville's defense gives teams all kinds of problems and Prescott hasn't proven he can beat teams through their air. Expect the Jags to load up to stop Elliott and force Prescott to beat them, which he won't be able to do.
Week 7: at Washington Redskins
Prediction: LOSS (3-4)
These two division rivals will split their season series because they always seem to do so. Washington will take the game in D.C. as the Cowboys stumble into the bye.
Week 8: BYE
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Week 9: vs. Tennessee Titans
Prediction: WIN (4-4)
Tennessee is a really good team, but as we saw in the playoffs last year, they aren't an elite team. Dallas will have a good gameplan in place after the bye week and pick up a narrow win thanks to Elliott.
Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: LOSS (4-5)
The reigning Super Bowl champions will not lose to their hated rivals in Philadelphia. The Eagles' talent advantage will make itself evident in this one.
Week 11: at Atlanta Falcons
Prediction: LOSS (4-6)
Quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons have been a difficult matchup for the Cowboys recently as Dallas has lost all of the last three matchups against Atlanta. In Ryan's career, the Cowboys are 1-3 against Atlanta and are allowing 27 points per game. With another season under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, this Falcons' offense should only improve.
Week 12: vs. Washington Redskins
Prediction: WIN (5-6)
Dallas losing at home to the Redskins on Thanksgiving? Yeah, that's not going to happen. Cowboys win easily.
Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints
Prediction: LOSS (5-7)
The Saints were a miracle play away from going to the NFC Championship Game and will be just as good in 2018. Quarterback Drew Brees broke the NFL completion record this past season, completing an incredible 72% of his passes, yet New Orleans' strength was its ground game as Saints running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram each totaled over 1,500 total yards of offense. Even though the game is in Dallas, this will be a tough matchup because the Saints are great in dome games and match up well against the Cowboys.
Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: WIN (6-7)
A desperate Dallas team will earn the split against the Eagles at home to keep their playoff hopes alive thanks to a huge performance from Elliott.
Week 15: at Indianapolis Colts
Prediction: WIN (7-7)
Indianapolis is still one of the worst teams in the league and, while they're improving, won't be able to compete with the Patriots until their defense gets better and Andrew Luck gets healthy.
Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Prediction: WIN (8-7)
Jameis Winston turns the ball over. A lot. As long as Prescott and the Cowboys take care of the ball and rely on their defense, they should win this game comfortably.
Week 17: at New York Giants
Prediction: WIN (9-7)
New York will be out of the playoff race by this point and Dallas will be fighting for their playoff lives. Because of those different levels of motivation, Dallas gets the nod.
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