The 2026 Dallas Cowboys schedule got here out final week and because it did journey plans had been set in movement amongst many people. Having the schedule makes every little thing extra actual, and on condition that it occurred after the NFL draft and (clearly) free company this yr, it was the final main milestone to cross earlier than the doldrums of the offseason set in.
Merely put, all main issues that may occur earlier than subsequent season begins have occurred.
Having the schedule additionally makes predicting the video games simpler, or on the very least extra enjoyable. We knew since final season ended who and the place the Cowboys could be enjoying in 2026, however the sequence makes predictions extra purposeful.
The nice Dave Halprin provided his game-by-game prediction for a way the Cowboys will fare this season and has them ending 10-7. What about different writers from different SB Nation websites, although? The writers that cowl their groups? How did they predict their video games in opposition to the Cowboys to go? And what if we checked out each sport via that lens?
Let’s do it. Under one can find what Dave did, however from every of the SB Nation websites who cowl groups that play the Cowboys this season. That is how they every predicted the video games in query and what the Cowboys’ ultimate report could be beneath these circumstances.
Week 1: at New York Giants
Each of those groups have a bunch of shifting elements. The Cowboys have fully revamped their protection and can be putting in a brand new scheme beneath new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The Giants have new schemes and gamers on either side of the ball, but in addition a core of familiarity among the many gamers and skilled coaches who know win. The Giants get traction earlier within the yr and are available open the season with a win.
Choose – Giants
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 0-1
Week 2: Washington Commanders
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 0-2
There’s part of me that wishes to imagine that Lamar Jackson can flip into some model of Pelé for the NFL’s first sport in Brazil. However I’m obligated in direction of purpose, and purpose tells me that every little thing is simply too new, too early. The Cowboys had an underrated offseason and won’t be the pushovers – actually – they had been final yr. Can a brand-new teaching employees deal with the challenges of a world sport in opposition to a robust opponent? Proper now, I lean no.
Prediction: Ravens lose, 17-13 (2-1)
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 1-2
Week 4: at Houston Texans
Our mates at Battle Pink Weblog truly didn’t have a schedule prediction from a game-by-game perspective up, so that is from Texans Wire.
Whereas the Cowboys have one of many league’s higher offenses, led by Dak Prescott, what’s the take care of their protection? Even with the items Dallas added by way of the draft this offseason, it feels dangerous placing all that religion into the event of Caleb Down and Malachai Lawrence. Even when the Texans’ offense isn’t as much as par, their protection ought to deal with enterprise in opposition to Jerry Jones’ boys, proving as soon as and for all who runs the state by way of being a constant soccer group.
Verdict: Texans win
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 1-3
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucs are on a brief week in Dallas for his or her first prime time sport of the season and this presents one other problem for the protection with Dak Prescott and firm. On a brief week and given the Bucs struggles in prime time, I’m in imagine it once I see it mode. Prediction: Bucs lose
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 2-3
Week 6: at Inexperienced Bay Packers
This was additionally a scenario the place we needed to enterprise exterior of SB Nation. Here’s what the Inexperienced Bay Press Gazette needed to say in regards to the sport.
Right here’s the factor, although: If Parsons wants an additional week, might he truly return in opposition to … his former group? Do you suppose Roger Goodell made positive whichever minion was liable for the Packers schedule seemed very carefully at a goal return date for Parsons, and stuffed that window with as many juicy matchups as potential? This could’t be coincidence. Neither can what the Packers offense did to the Cowboys protection final yr in Dallas. The Packers protection didn’t get any stops both, ending that sport in a tie, however right here’s considering the protection can be higher this yr inside Lambeau Area. Prediction: Packers win
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 2-4
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles
A tough fought NFC East battle in opposition to the Cowboys goes in Philly’s favor. Vic Fangio’s protection stifles the Dallas offense as Christian Parker’s unit struggles to decelerate Sean Mannion.
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 2-5
Week 8: Arizona Cardinals
I do know, I do know. The Cardinals not too long ago at all times beat the Cowboys.
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 3-5
Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts
This one got here courtesy of Colts Wire.
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 3-6
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers
And right here we’re with me hoping the Cowboys can look considerably like a soccer group by Week 10. Why am I hoping they’re a minimum of minimally profitable? As a result of this might get flexed into primetime. Because it stands, the 49ers get solely 5 primetime video games. In the meantime, the Rams have probably the most in 2026, with seven.
The sport is in Jerry World. Whereas the Trustworthy might invade, I’ve a hunch the Cowboys are none too proud of having the 49ers both embarrass them on nationally televised regular-season video games or finish their season within the playoffs (additionally on nationally televised video games). So the Cowboys will most likely give the 49ers their greatest shot.
Even with their greatest shot, I believe Kyle Shanahan places collectively a clinic. I anticipate this to be a high-scoring sport with a landing within the two-minute drill giving the 49ers the win. Within the Cowboys’ dwelling stadium. Once more.
Prediction: WIN
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 3-7
Week 11: Tennessee Titans
Yet one more dip exterior of the SB Nation universe. This comes courtesy of The Tennessean.
Choose on the Cowboys for being overrated yearly all you need. That’s nonetheless a mighty gifted offense they’ve received.
Prediction: Cowboys 30, Titans 21
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 4-7
Week 12: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have by no means misplaced to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving (2-0). However the Eagles are merely 1-7 of their final eight video games down in Dallas … and that sole win came to visit Cooper Rush. Except Dak Prescott will get harm once more, it is a loss. It’s simply not straightforward for the Eagles to win in Dallas and it’s simply not straightforward for the Eagles to comb the Cowboys.
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 5-7
Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 13 vs. Dallas Cowboys – W
The DeMarcus Lawrence/Dante Fowler Jr. MNF revenge sport can be one price watching. This can be Seattle’s first time going through the Cowboys since Pete Carroll’s farewell season in 2023, so Dallas nonetheless has but to face Mike Macdonald’s new and improved ‘Hawks squad. The Cowboys won’t be a pushover, however the Seahawks ought to be capable to deal with them at dwelling and are available away with a win over their outdated pal Brian Schottenheimer.
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 5-8
Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams
The Cowboys offense is likely one of the greatest within the league and having an computerized kicker in Brandon Aubrey provides them an opportunity to place factors on the board on any drive. The Cowboys protection must be higher than what they had been final yr making this a possible lure sport for LA particularly with the Rams perhaps eyeing their Week 16 opponent.
Prediction: Cowboys win 27-20
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 6-8
Week 16: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville’s primetime showdown in Jerry World is an early candidate for the group’s sport of the yr. Campanile gained’t face a extra cerebral quarterback than Prescott, Hunter could not have a fiercer problem as a cornerback than battling in opposition to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and a lift from new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker might have the Cowboys proper within the combine for a high playoff seed. Dallas is likely one of the few groups exterior the NFC West that I might see being a real title contender from that convention. Jaguars 20, Cowboys 28
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 7-8
It’s honest to anticipate that Dallas will determine some new and fascinating method to collapse late within the yr. Nevertheless I’m not going to anticipate their offense to fall off so long as Dak, CeeDee, and Pickens are wholesome. Likewise, Christian Parker’s protection must be in a greater place than they had been in Week 1. And even when the Cowboys had been mid-collapse, we must always nonetheless anticipate them to stumble backwards into enjoying the Giants exhausting and splitting the season.
Choose – Cowboys
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 8-8
Week 18: at Washington Commanders
COWBOYS RECORD AFTER: 9-8
It’s actually price retaining in thoughts that these are written from the views of every group. We are able to all strategy predicting issues with meant objectivity, however biases present. I believe that this train proves that.
From a totality perspective although, the Cowboys completed this train with a 9-8 report which is just one sport again of the place Halprin predicted them to complete. Personally talking, I had the group additionally ending 10-7 in my first stroll via this factor. I don’t suppose anyone on the market who predicted equally had them getting there whereas ending the season on a four-game profitable streak, although.
A few of these issues appear to be constructed on hope for what the opposite groups might finally wind up being. Clearly that’s the case for each group. We hope that the Cowboys notice their very own potential whereas equally hoping that different groups fail to take action.
Which prediction did you discover to be probably the most farfetched? Essentially the most cheap?
