Game-by-game predictions for 2024 Cowboys schedule

The 2024 Dallas Cowboys schedule has been released and fans can hardly contain their excitement. After having a reasonably difficult schedule last season, the Cowboys face a bear of a slate this time around after they stole the NFC East title from the rival Eagles.

Even with the schedule release, it's almost impossible to predict how the Cowboys' 2024 campaign will shake out. They revamped their offensive line in the draft, but will the youth movement translate to instant success? Dallas also has major questions at defensive tackle and running back and their wide receiver room behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks doesn't inspire much confidence.

With all of the star-power on the roster, though, it stands to reason that the Cowboys will win enough games to make the playoffs the fourth year in a row. Now that we know the full details of Dallas' schedule, let's attempt to predict their final record.

Predicting every game on the 2024 Cowboys schedule:

Week 1 at Cleveland Browns

The Cowboys got lucky to play in Cleveland in early September, but this won't be a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination. Myles Garrett could give rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton serious fits, which may mean Dak Prescott has to rush his throws. We expect a low-scoring chess match that will swing in Dallas' favor thanks to a late turnover by Deshaun Watson.

Prediction: 24-21 win

Week 2 vs New Orleans Saints

While Week 1 in Cleveland could go either way, the Cowboys have no excuse to not beat the rebuilding Saints at home. It's another tough defense for Dallas, but New Orleans is a much different team on the road relative to at home. Look for the Cowboys to control the tempo by running the football and playing strong defense.

Prediction: 27-17 win

Week 3 vs Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are a nightmare matchup for the Cowboys on paper. Mike Zimmer could bait Lamar Jackson into a turnover, but Jackson’s scrambling ability is a nightmare matchup given the lack of speed Dallas has on defense. Pair that with Derrick Henry spearheading Baltimore’s running game and this has all the makings of a rare Cowboys home loss. 

Prediction: 26-21 loss 

Week 4 at New York Giants (TNF)

The Cowboys have to like getting their Thursday night game out of the way in Week 4. The fact it comes against the Giants is even better. While New York added more talent this offseason, Dak Prescott is a career 12-2 in 14 games against Dallas' rivals. That streak isn't likely to end anytime soon.

Prediction: 31-21 win

Week 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers (SNF)

Back-to-back road primetime games for the Cowboys. Luckily, they'll get a mini bye week to prepare for the well-coached Steelers. This is a tricky matchup for Dallas, but they have a significant edge at quarterback. As long as the offensive line prevents T.J. Watt from wrecking the game, the Cowboys should walk out of Pittsburgh with a statement road victory.

Prediction: 24-18 win

Week 6 vs Detroit Lions

Emotions will run high in this matchup after the Cowboys were lucky to escape the Lions with a home victory last year. Formidable in the trenches on both sides of the ball, Detroit could present serious problems for Dallas. A late Lions field goal will be the difference. 

Prediction: 24-21 loss 

Week 7: BYE

Week 8 at San Francisco 49ers (SNF)

As much as we want to see the Cowboys beet their boogeyman, what evidence is there to suggest they're up to the task? The 49ers extended their dominance over Dallas last year with a 42-10 beatdown on Sunday Night Football. Mike McCarthy's group will put up a better fight this time around, but San Francisco always gets up for the Cowboys and they get them at home again.

Prediction: 27-20 loss

Week 9 at Atlanta Falcons

It’s tough to predict what the Falcons will be under new head coach Raheem Morris and with new QB Kirk Cousins. They have the talent to make noise in the NFC and will likely look to win the time of possession battle by running the football. Dak Prescott and the offense will put up points regardless and Mike Zimmer will have a textbook game plan to stymie Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. 

Prediction: 28-25 win 

Week 10 vs Philadelphia Eagles

Don't put it past the Cowboys to sweep the Eagles this year. What feels like a given, though, is Dallas winning the home game against their rivals. Dak Prescott and Co. dominated the home matchup last year 33-13 to keep their division hopes alive. We anticipate a closer game, but the outcome will be the same.

Prediction: 31-24 win

Week 11 vs Houston Texans (MNF)

It’s fitting that the inner-state rivals will meet in primetime. The Cowboys match up perfectly with the Texans’ outside zone scheme Bob Slowik vs Mike Zimmer is a mouthwatering OC vs DC matchup, but Zimmer will out-fox the budding play-caller while Trevon Diggs comes up with a clutch interception in coverage against his older brother Stefon Diggs to seal a close win. 

Prediction: 28-27 win 

Week 12 at Washington Commanders

Playing in Washington has been dicey for the Cowboys in recent years. Granted, they've often played there in the regular season finale when they had little to play for. This will be different. Much different. Dallas will ride the momentum of their big home win over the Texans and pummel old friend Dan Quinn at FedEx Field while giving Jayden Daniels a rough welcome to the NFL.

Prediction: 31-17 win

Week 13 vs New York Giants (Thanksgiving)

The Cowboys have lost three of their last five Thanksgiving matchups, but they rattled off two straight victories in 2022 and '23. That includes a win over the Giants in 2022. We expect history to repeat itself this year with big-time performances from Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb with Trevon Diggs putting the punctuation mark on the victory with a pick-six of Daniel Jones.

Prediction: 27-20 win

Week 14 vs Bengals (MNF)

Joe Burrow will be back following wrist surgery as the Bengals look to reclaim their spot amongst the AFC’s elite. This will be a challenge for the Cowboys, but let’s not forget they beat this same Cincinnati team in 2022 when Dak Prescott was sidelined with his finger injury. Backup Cooper Rush led Dallas to a 20-17 win. If Mike Zimmer’s defense turns in a similar performance, the Cowboys should hold serve at home.

Prediction: 35-34 win

Week 15 at Carolina Panthers

This is without question the easiest game on the Cowboys’ schedule. It’s eerily similar to Dallas’ Week 3 trap game in Arizona last season, which scares us. Like that game, the Panthers can catch Micah Parsons and Co. sleeping if they don’t get off the plane. We don’t expect that to happen, but this could be a closer score than many expect. 

Prediction: 23-18 win 

Week 16 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers can score points in a hurry, but they lack speed at wide receiver and have two finesse running backs in Rachaad White and rookie Bucky Irving. That matches up well for Mike Zimmer's defese. The Cowboys dominated the Bucs in the playoffs two years ago with Tom Brady under center. Another blowout is probably wishful thinking but Dallas should handle their business.

Prediction: 34-24 win

Week 17 at Philadelphia Eagles

If history is any indicator this matchup could determine the NFC East champ. The Cowboys were inches away from toppling the Eagles on the road last year. Vic Fangio has had Mike McCarthy's number in the past but the veteran DC won't overcome Philly's suspect secondary.

Prediction: 24-21 win

Week 18 vs Washington Commanders

It's almost become tradition that the Cowboys and Commanders meet in the regular-season finale. With Dallas having wrapped up the NFC East in Week 17, Mike McCarthy will rest most his starters to prepare for the playoffs. Dan Quinn's group could be scrapping for a wild card berth so Quinn could extract revenge against his undermanned former team.

Prediction: 24-17 loss

2024 Cowboys final record prediction: 13-4

While 13 victories might seem like a lot for a roster that has technically "regressed" this offseason, but the Cowboys have an extremely favorable schedule down the stretch. If they can survive their brutal opening five games, there's a realistic path for them to surpass their win total from the previous three seasons.

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