The 2021 Dallas Cowboys season officially starts in less than 48 hours. After a nightmarish 2020, everyone cannot wait to turn the page and start anew. Of course, the NFL did Dallas no favors, using their star power to boost ratings by sending them on the road to face off against last year’s Super Bowl champions. As if that hurdle isn’t high enough, the Cowboys were given some bad news this weekend.
Sunday morning, offensive lineman Zack Martin had a positive COVID test which will keep him out. His loss is a huge issue, however, the lack of depth, especially with another lineman in Brandon Knight also likely out for being a close contact.
The good news is that one loss, especially to a team outside their division will not tank their season. This game will also be a huge barometer to see if the 2021 Dallas Cowboys are contenders or pretenders. What will the season bring for this year’s team? Let’s take a look and break down the 2021 schedule, game-by-game, to predict how this team will finish.
September
Thursday, September 9 at Tampa Bay
It does not get any tougher than the defending champs, on the road, in primetime. I think Dallas can compete, but ultimately, I’m not confident the defense can hold up against the Buccaneers receiving trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown. Sprinkle in a little Gronk and it’s easy to see how the season could get off on the wrong foot. Cowboys 23, Buccaneers 34.
Sunday, September 19 at Los Angeles Chargers
Back-to-back games on the road to start the season is not an ideal situation. Coming off a loss will only exacerbate the urgency to not start 2021 with two losses. The Chargers pose another big threat to the Dallas Cowboys defense but this is a little more manageable. Cowboys 27, Chargers 21.
Monday, September 27 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Even though the Eagles do not seem to be as much of a threat as they have been in recent history, this is still a huge game. Monday Night Football versus a divisional foe and the first home game of 2021. I expect the Cowboys to be a little off early before getting things together and closing out the game to put together back-to-back wins. Eagles 20, Cowboys 31.
October
Sunday, October 3 vs. Carolina
A second-straight home game for the Dallas Cowboys that may not, at first, seem troublesome. With this game sandwiched between two divisional games and a sneakily high-powered Panthers offense coming to town, this will be another slow start that ends in a too-close-for-comfort finish. Panthers 27, Cowboys 30.
Sunday, October 10 vs. New York Giants
This will be an emotional game of quarterback Dak Prescott. Almost exactly one year ago, his 2020 season ended on this field against this team. I would bet heavily on Prescott finally putting that horrific day to bed with a big game leading to another Dallas win. Giants 20, Cowboys 41.
Sunday, October 17 at New England Patriots
A road game against New England is EXACTLY the kind of game teams of Cowboys’ past would lose. Dallas has beaten the Patriots since 1996. Six straight losses, four of which have seen the Cowboys score less than ten points. That will not happen this time. Cowboys 24, Patriots 20.
Sunday, October 31 at Minnesota Vikings
Both teams feature high-powered offenses and defenses that are trying to re-tool. The scoreboard operator should be in for a long day. The Cowboys defense will have to pick their poison when deciding to focus on running back Dalvin Cook or receivers Adam Theilen and Justin Jefferson. This game will come down to minimizing mistakes and maybe who has the ball last. Cowboys 31, Vikings 35.
November
Sunday, November 7 vs. Denver Broncos
Another AFC team on the schedule who has historically caused the Cowboys a ton of problems, Dallas is winless against the Broncos in six straight games. Much like the October tilt against New England, this will represent the Cowboys’ turn to finally change the course of this series. Broncos 23, Cowboys 28.
Sunday, November 14 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Round two of the insanely entertaining matchup from last season that required a miracle onside kick recovery for Dallas to win the game. The Falcons will be less firepower offensively, while Dallas now has some “inside info” on their long-standing players’ tendencies with former head coach Dan Quinn now the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. All this should result in a less thrilling duplicate of the same result. Falcons 17, Cowboys 31.
Sunday, November 21 at Kansas City Chiefs
If you think that the Buccaneers and Vikings possess some serious firepower, here come the Chiefs. Couple that with the fact this will be at Arrowhead and I think we can all agree that any other outcome than a Cowboys loss would be a massive shock. Cowboys 20, Chiefs 38.
Thursday, November 25 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Dallas Cowboys are 31-21-1 all-time on Thanksgiving, however, they have lost three of their last four. Coming off a blowout, a win would be a huge need here as the month of December looks a little treacherous. Those last three losses all came to teams with either winning records or playoff teams. The Raiders will be neither. Raiders 23, Cowboys 31.
December
Thursday, December 2 at New Orleans Saints
Say this about the schedule makers, they firmly decided to send the 2021 Dallas Cowboys to some very tough venues. This week has Dallas heading to New Orleans. At 8-3 heading into the game, I feel confident in saying the Saints will need this one more than Dallas and the game will, unfortunately, play out as such. Cowboys 20, Saints 30.
Sunday, December 12 at Washington Football Team
The first meeting of the two likely contenders for the division title finally happens this late in the year. I see these two teams splitting the series and with Dallas getting extra time off and Washington coming off two road games in their previous three games, I could see Dallas stealing this one on the road. Cowboys 23, Washington 17.
Sunday, December 19 at New York Giants
At this point, the Giants will be playing either to be a spoiler or to enhance their 2022 draft position. This game could also be a division-clincher for the Cowboys. Add in the fact Dallas has won three of their last four in New York and it’s easy to see how this should go Dallas’ way. Cowboys 37, Giants 23.
Sunday, December 26 vs. Washington Football Team
As I said earlier, these teams should split the season series. Washington may need this to have any shot at a playoff berth so look for a loss here. Washington 24, Cowboys 20.
Sunday, January 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Last year, the Cardinals came to Dallas and embarrassed them. This year, the Cardinals might be even better… but so will be Dallas. This could be a preview of a playoff matchup down the road. The Cowboys will want to avoid any sort of losing streak as the postseason nears so look for a drama-filled win with a last-minute field goal from kicker Greg Zuerlein. Cardinals 24, Cowboys 27.
Sunday, January 2 at Philadelphia Eagles
I truly believe the Dallas Cowboys will have secured the division title before this week is played meaning you could see most of the starters without pads on the sidelines for this game. Cowboys 13, Eagles 31.
So there you have it. I am predicting the 2021 Dallas Cowboys finish 11-6, taking their 24th overall NFC East title. Do you think that Dallas will finish better or worse than this mark? What games are you most looking forward to or concerned about this year? Feel free to leave your thoughts on the season below.