Dallas Cowboys: Bird Gauntlet will determine road to 2020 NFL Playoffs

The last time the Dallas Cowboys ruled the Bird Gauntlet in 1992, the ‘Boys finished the year with a Super Bowl title. Ready for the next bird attack?

To reach the 2020 Super Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys will have to dance in the so-called, “Bird Gauntlet.” It’s a good thing the organization landed some extra firepower in CeeDee Lamb at the wide receiver spot. The ‘Boys will need it.

America’s Team faces five different teams with bird mascots, totaling six games. Three away games. Three home games. Split right down the middle.

One of those teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, plays the Cowboys twice. The Eagles, of course, took the NFC East crown in 2019 with a 9-7 finish.

Three of the five teams made the playoffs in 2019. Overall, the five teams combined for a 2019 regular-season record of 46-33-1.

The Baltimore Ravens pose the greatest threat to the Cowboys. The squad finished 2019 with a 14-2 record and an AFC North title. The Ravens represented the AFC as the first seed in the playoffs.

Oh, the Ravens also have a quarterback named Lamar Jackson, who is fresh off his NFL MVP year. He received all 50 first-place votes, making him the second unanimous player to do so since Tom Brady in 2010. The Cowboys visit him in Baltimore during the chilly month of December. So yeah, no pressure.

Last week, I predicted the Dallas Cowboys’ first five games. I got the Cowboys going 3-2 to boot the 2020 NFL season. Again, I believe the Cowboys will fall to the Seahawks in Seattle. CenturyLink Field is a difficult house to visit and, on top of that, Seattle finished 11-5 in 2019, which was two games behind the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.

So, even if the Dallas Cowboys fall 0-2 against two top-notched bird teams, the Cowboys can improve their Bird Gauntlet standing by running the table against the Eagles, which I believe they do. The Atlanta Falcons pay a visit to Dallas on September 20, but I believe AT&T Stadium will favor America’s Team.

The poor Arizona Cardinals also visit Dallas in October. And while it should be an entertaining contest between two young rising quarterbacks in Dak Prescott and Kyler Murray, the ‘Boys won’t surrender to Arizona who finished 5-10 in 2019.

Overall, that’s 4-2 in the Bird Gauntlet. The Cowboys claw with the Eagles on November 1 and December 27. Based on 2020 offseason performances, including a superb 2020 NFL Draft class that favors Dallas, the Dallas Cowboys are notching towards the NFC East crown without even taking a snap.

Sure, it’s only May. But based on what the Cowboys gathered for their staff and roster thus far, I’m fairly confident the Cowboys will defeat the Eagles twice in 2020.

The Bird Gauntlet is a highlight in the Cowboys’ 2020 NFL schedule. Yes, there will be blood. But don’t be surprised when the Dallas Cowboys end up trimming their opponents’ claws.