NFC East Schedule Analysis: Cowboys

Cowboys 2020 Schedule Analysis

With the NFL finally releasing the 256-game regular-season slate for 2020, it’s time to look ahead and predict how teams will fare. Here is this year’s schedule analysis for the Dallas Cowboys.

Last Year’s Record: 8-8

After going 10-6 and winning the NFC East in 2018, the Cowboys couldn’t build on that, eventually flailing out and missing the playoffs last year. After an exceptional draft, can Dallas become a true contender in 2020?

Schedule (Time in EST)

Week 1

@ LA Rams (9/13, 8:20pm)

Week 2

vs. Atlanta (9/20, 1:00pm)

Week 3

@ Seattle (9/27, 4:25pm)

Week 4

vs. Cleveland (10/4, 1:00pm)

Week 5

vs NY Giants (10/11, 4:25pm)

Week 6

vs. Arizona (10/19, 8:15pm)

Week 7

@ Washington (10/25, 1:00pm)

Week 8

@ Philadelphia (11/1, 8:20pm)

Week 9

vs. Pittsburgh (11/8, 4:25pm)

Week 10

BYE

Week 11

@ Minnesota (11/22, 4:25pm)

Week 12

vs. Washington (11/26, 4:30pm)

Week 13

@ Baltimore (12/3, 8:20pm)

Week 14

@ Cincinnati (12/13, 1:00pm)

Week 15

vs. San Francisco (12/20, 8:20pm)

Week 16

vs. Philadelphia (12/27, 4:25pm)

Week 17

@ NY Giants (1/3, 1:00pm)

Most Intriguing Game: Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh

The Cowboys and the Steelers have plenty of history between them. They’ve played against each other 32 times, including three Super Bowls. In their most recent game in 2016, then-rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott stole the show in a 35-30 victory. This year’s contest features a tantalizing matchup between the Cowboys’ new receiving trio of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and CeeDee Lamb against the Steelers’ formidable defensive backfield of Joe Haden, Steven Nelson, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Dallas defense should also find themselves tested by a presumably healthy trio of Ben Roethlisberger, James Conner, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. A win here is especially important for Dallas heading into the bye.

Most Important Game: Week 16 vs. Philadelphia

In Week 16 last year, Dallas inexplicably lost to a short-handed Philadelphia Eagles team. The loss effectively ended their season. This year, the schedule presents the same opponent in the same week, and it’s up to the Cowboys to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself. Both the Cowboys and Eagles are too talented to miss the playoffs, but with several NFC teams good enough to grab a wildcard spot, this game could be the difference between a division title and a seat on the couch come January.

Most Important Stretch: Weeks 1-3

As I mentioned earlier, there is a litany of teams in the NFC that can compete for a wildcard spot or better. The Cowboys’ first three opponents (Rams, Falcons, Seahawks) make up part of that group. Seattle made the playoffs as the #5 seed last year, Los Angeles just missed out as the seventh seed, and the talented Falcons have a chance to bounce back this year. If Dallas does indeed end up fighting for a wildcard spot, tiebreakers become crucial. The first three weeks of the season will give Dallas a chance to get the edge.

Prediction:

If Dallas plans to contend, four wins against the Giants and the Redskins should be in order. I also expect them to split with their main competitor, the Philadelphia Eagles. That 5-1 division record puts them in great shape. They should also be able to escape the crucial first three weeks with a 2-1 record. Their stretch from Week 11 to Week 15 presents the Bengals and three playoff teams from last year in the 49ers, Ravens, and Vikings. It’s not unfathomable to see them come out of that 1-3, but I can see them upsetting the 49ers or overcoming the Vikings to finish 2-2. I think Pittsburgh matches up very well with Dallas, and I also believe that Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham, and Jarvis Landry will cause huge problems for the Cowboys. All this brings them to 9-6 with a Week 6 matchup against Arizona left to evaluate. They don’t have the horses to stop DeAndre Hopkins, but he won’t be enough to topple the Cowboys. Dallas will finish 10-6, putting them in contention for a wildcard.

Scheduling information courtesy of the Cowboys’ official website, and statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference.