The Dallas Cowboys already know who they will play in Week 1. And their season hopes are much higher than The Athletic’s assessment of their roster. Furthermore, here are their game-by-game predictions after the 2026 NFL schedule release.
Coming off a disappointing 7-9-1 season in 2025, the Cowboys boosted their defense through free agency and the draft, according to dallascowboys.com. They didn’t have to work on the offense. It remains among the best in the NFL.
But will the Cowboys be able to put together the kind of season that leads to postseason success? In these predictions, we will consider each team as being in good health with no season-changing injuries.
Week 1 at New York Giants
In many ways, this is the perfect season opener for the Cowboys. Already an established team, the Cowboys will have a big advantage against the Giants.
Even with veteran head coach John Harbaugh, the Giants’ most important players are still young. Included in that mix are quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers, running back Cam Skattebo, and edge rusher Abdul Carter.
Yes, the Cowboys have some young guns as well. But they will have the experience edge with Dak Prescott at quarterback. And they should win this game in blowout fashion. WIN
Record 1-0
Week 2 vs. Washington Commanders
There are big problems for the Commanders in this matchup. They won’t be able to cover CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Of course, all NFL teams face this dilemma. However, the Commanders are less equipped to stop the Cowboys' drives throughout the game.
Maybe the Commanders have improved enough on defense to avoid multiple big-play scores from the Cowboys. But throughout the course of the game, the Cowboys will score consistently. And their defense will slow the Commanders a few times. WIN
Record: 2-0
Week 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens
This game got set early as the teams will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the international showdown. The Cowboys will be the designated home team for the contest.
And it should be a dandy. NFC teams have struggled to handle Lamar Jackson throughout his career. And the Ravens’ quarterback will surely have something in store for the Cowboys.
Because this game is early and the foreign setting, look for the Ravens to pull off the surprise win. LOSS
Record: 2-1
Week 4 vs. Houston Texans
The Texans present a challenge. They have a solid offense with some playmakers. And they could have the best defense in the NFL. This makes them a serious challenger to the Cowboys.
Now, Jerry Jones doesn’t want his team losing to the in-state Texans. But this one will slip away late. And Jerry will be fuming. LOSS
Record: 2-2
Week 5 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is another contest where playing at home makes a big impact. The Buccaneers might have a shot at the upset if they were at home. But in Jerry’s World, they don’t have much of a shot.
The Cowboys will handle the Buccaneers' receivers and turn Baker Mayfield into a scrambling quarterback. And they will rough him up. WIN
Record: 3-2
Week 6 vs. Green Bay Packers
It’s no secret that the Cowboys have a challenge here. Winning in Lambeau Field is rarely easy. That’s especially true in the regular season.
But the Cowboys didn’t crumble against their former edge rusher Micah Parsons last year. They scored at will against the Packers in 2025. And with an improved defense this season, the Cowboys will slow down the Packers' offense. And they will win this game fairly easily. WIN
Record: 4-2
Week 7 at Philadelphia Eagles
This has turned into quite a rivalry. The Eagles have a slight 8-6 edge in the last seven seasons. The two games in 2025 were decided by a total of seven points.
However, the Cowboys did a better job than the Eagles in roster building this offseason. Looking at both sides of the ball, the Cowboys are better. And they will take it to the Eagles in their first meeting. WIN
Record: 5-2
Week 8 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cowboys have endured some low moments against the Cardinals in recent years. In fact, they’ve lost four straight games in this series, dating back to 2020. And both of the most recent losses were upsets by the Cardinals.
Never to worry, the Cowboys will get their revenge this season. Look for them to crush the Cardinals with a typical offensive flourish and a high-turnover effort from the defense. WIN
Record: 6-2
Week 9 at Indianapolis Colts
A healthy Colts team is a Super Bowl contender. Not a favorite to get there. But a sure-fire playoff team. As long as they don’t have to call on Philip Rivers again.
Still, they won’t be able to match weapons with the Cowboys. This should be a dandy and competitive game. But the Cowboys will prevail. WIN
Record: 7-2
Week 10 vs. San Francisco 49ers
If this were a road game, the Cowboys might have their hands too full. The 49ers have a good team this year.
However, the Cowboys will remember that back-to-back playoff setbacks against the 49ers in 2022 and 2023. This is the time for them to get revenge. This should be a high-scoring game with the Cowboys winning on a late field goal by Brandon Aubrey. WIN
Record: 8-2
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Week 11 vs. Tennessee Titans
It’s going to be a long day in Texas for the Titans. They won’t have a chance against the Cowboys’ offense. Look for Lamb and Pickens to crush. And the Cowboys’ ground game should be in for a big day at well.
This could finish as a 45-point day for the Cowboys. WIN
Record: 9-2
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
These games are almost always entertaining. And here’s the thing: For the purposes of this exercise, the Eagles still have AJ Brown on their roster. So, considering his presence, the Eagles have a chance to win on their home field.
Maybe an overtime period is in store, but look for the Eagles to get a key turnover and steal victory. LOSS
Record: 9-3
Week 13 at Seattle Seahawks
How many people are buying the Seahawks as being the NFL’s best team again in 2026? Not here. Yes, they will be good. They still have talent. And they should be in the postseason mix with some authority.
But the Cowboys’ defense will have a great game against Seahawks QB Sam Darnold. Key turnovers will be the difference, including a strip sack and recovery from long-armed rookie edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. WIN
Record: 10-3
Week 15 at Los Angeles Rams
Uh oh. This is a serious challenge. Matthew Stafford is back, and the Rams are as good as they’ve been in recent years. You can easily make a case for them being the best team last year. They just didn’t finish the deal with the Seahawks.
This could be the game of the year in the NFL regular season. And the Cowboys, though a slight underdog, will rise to the challenge, thanks to a huge game from Dak Prescott. WIN
Record: 11-3
Week 16 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
If the Jaguars could be counted on to be as good as they were in 2025, this might be more competitive. However, the Jaguars didn’t do enough in the offseason with their receiver group.
Brian Thomas Jr. didn’t look like a WR1 last year. And Trevor Lawrence will likely fade back to more of an average quarterback. But the Cowboys will shut down the Jaguars' mediocre backfield, and Lawrence will force the ball. That means interceptions. WIN
Record: 12-3
Week 17 vs. New York Giants
There are two schools of thought here. One is that the Giants won’t be able to match up with the Cowboys at all in either game. The other is that first-year coach John Harbaugh will make a difference. And the Giants will find a way to win.
Let’s go with the former. Because the Cowboys are that much better. WIN
Record: 13-3
Week 18 at Washington Commanders
Since we’re looking at this from a non-injury standpoint, the Commanders can stay with the Cowboys. That’s because a healthy Jayden Daniels makes a ton of difference for the Commanders.
The problem is that Daniels would have to make some seriously impressive plays from start to finish. And that’s asking a lot from one player. The Cowboys win a close one. WIN
Record: 14-3
The final analysis
With a mark of 14-3, the Cowboys will claim the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Then they will face two of the biggest games in franchise history. Can they end the long drought and make it back to the Super Bowl? That’s for a different article.
The Dallas Cowboys already know who they will play in Week 1. And their season hopes are much higher than The Athletic’s assessment of their roster. Furthermore, here are their game-by-game predictions after the 2026 NFL schedule release. Coming off a disappointing 7-9-1 season in 2025, the Cowboys boosted their defense through free agency and the draft, according to dallascowboys.