Dallas Cowboys: Way too early 2020 season prediction

The Dallas Cowboys received their 2020 NFL schedule last Thursday and optimism surrounds them by having a good shot at making the playoffs.

The Dallas Cowboys will open up the season with the third easiest strength of schedule based on the 2019 season, so take that for what it’s worth. Their opponents last season were a combined 117-138-1, with a .459 win percentage.

The Boys will start their season off at the new, shiny stadium in Los Angeles against the Rams for a prime-time Sunday night showdown. This is arguably one of the most important games on their schedule in order to get off on the right foot with a new coaching staff.

With that being said, I’ll break down the first half of the season, followed by the second half of the season for a way too early prediction of the Cowboys 2020 record.

First eight games

1. @Rams: W
2. Atlanta: W
3. @Seahawks: L
4. Browns: W
5. Giants: W
6. Cardinals: W
7. @Redskins: W
8. @Eagles: L

The first eight games of the season consist of four home games, in which three of them are in a row. They will also have four away games in the first half of the season as well. I do feel Dallas will start off 2-0 and suffer their first loss against Seattle at their place.

Following the defeat, we see the Cowboys take advantage of three-straight home games and end up ripping off four wins in a row, suffering their second loss of the season to the Eagles. But the Boys are very happy with a 6-2 start on the year.

Last eight games

9. Steelers: L
10. BYE
11. @Vikings: L
12.  Redskins: W
13. @Ravens: L
14. @Bengals: W
15. 49ers: L
16. Eagles: W
17. @Giants: W

The second half of the season is a bit more difficult for the Cowboys. They’ll be on the road against good teams such as the Vikings and Ravens. While seeing two tough home match-ups against the Steelers and 49ers.

Also, they have to close the season out against two division rivals in the Eagles and Giants. I’m sure week 16 may have a lot on the table for those two teams. I predict in those eight games they’ll go .500 (4-4) and finish the season at 10-6.

One potential trap game

The Cowboys need to take care of business within their division. Primarily against the Giants and Redskins, but one game keeps popping out at me that may give the Boys some trouble even though they’re expected to win. That’s Week 12, Thanksgiving Day against the Redskins. Washington tends to give Dallas a battle and coming off a predicted war at Minnesota four days prior is no help.

Games the Cowboys need to steal

There will be a handful of games in which the Cowboys will be underdogs, but if they want to contend in the NFC and be a legit Super Bowl contender then they will have to steal at least one of these games to reach the playoffs or perhaps get a better seed come playoff time.

The games that I foresee them needing to steal include @Seattle, @Eagles, @Vikings, @Ravens, and at home against the 49ers. In these five games, Dallas will likely be the underdog. If you notice, four out of the five are away games. Stealing a game on the road in the NFL is no easy task, but if you want to become a legit threat to hoist the Lombardi Trophy the Cowboys must win a game or two here.

Overall Prediction

As noted above, I think the Cowboys finish 10-6 overall and 5-1 in the division. This should be just enough to get them into the playoffs. Whether that’s by winning the division or acquiring a wild card spot will depend on the Eagles record most likely.

Can I see the Cowboys reaching 11 or 12 wins? Absolutely! If they can steal one or two road games and take care of business against teams less inferior to them, then it should be no issue at all. However, Dallas may lose to a team they shouldn’t, but also beat a team they shouldn’t. We see it every year, that’s why the record prediction is kept at 10-6.

If 10 wins can get them into the playoffs, do the Boys finally make it to an NFC Championship? I know they haven’t reached that title game since the 1995 season and fans are excited about the new era in Big D, but I think they see the divisional round once again under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy and that’s where the journey stops.

Cowboys Nation! Give me some of your predictions on the Boys record this year in the comment section below. And drop a potential upset or two we may see this upcoming season, along with a final playoff prediction.