Win-Loss Predictions for Rest of Dallas Cowboys' 2017 Schedule

At this time last year, the Dallas Cowboys were coming off a thrilling win in Pittsburgh over the Steelers. Through nine games in 2016, the Cowboys had a record of 8-1 and were sitting at the top of the NFC. Somehow that feels like a decade ago, rather than just 12 months.   

This year, the Cowboys find themselves in the middle of a crowded NFC, clawing their way through an incredibly difficult schedule.

The Philadelphia Eagles are now the kings of the NFC with a record of 8-1 and the Cowboys are relegated to fighting for a wild-card spot. With a record of 5-4, Dallas will need to put together an incredible run over the next two months in order to secure a playoff spot.  

If the Cowboys want to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season, the team will need to find a way to win at least five of their next seven games.

They will have to do that without the services of Ezekiel Elliott for the next five games and possibly without Sean Lee and Tyron Smith, as they each deal with injuries.

It's going to be an uphill challenge for the Cowboys, but if they can find a way to navigate through this tough schedule, they could be one of the more dangerous teams in the NFC by the time the playoffs roll around.

With seven games left, here is a win-loss prediction for each game for the rest of the 2017 season. 

Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press

Time/Station: 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday Night Football on NBC

If the Cowboys want to get back on track after their blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the best way to do so would be to shock the world and beat the best team in the NFL on national television.

However, they will have to do so without Sean Lee or Ezekiel Elliott and likely without Tyron Smith. 

With the division potentially on the line and Dallas coming home, you can bet the Cowboys will be feeling motivated. But will that be enough to pull out a win on Sunday Night Football? Probably not.

The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the best offenses in the NFL and have added Jay Ajayi to give them more juice in the running game. They will be coming off of a bye week, so expect them to be well-rested for this NFC East showdown.  

Dallas will need a huge game from their stars, particularly Dak Prescott on offense and DeMarcus Lawrence on defense if they want to stand a chance against Philadelphia.

A lot of things will need to break right for the Cowboys, and odd things do tend to happen in divisional games.

However, the Eagles are a juggernaut and it's hard to imagine the wounded Cowboys will be able to hand them their second loss of the season.

Expect Dallas to stick around in this game for awhile but then for Philly to pull ahead late. 

Prediction: Eagles 30-20

Week 12: Los Angeles Chargers

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Time/Station: 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS (Thanksgiving)

If the Cowboys do fall to the Eagles on Sunday night as expected, they will need to try to save their season just four days later on Thanksgiving.

They could be headed into this game with a record of 5-5, and with the way the rest of the teams in the NFC wild-card hunt are not letting up, a loss here would be devastating to their playoff chances.

Coming to town will be the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that is much more than its record indicates (18th in overall DVOA, according to Football Outsiders).

Once again, the Cowboys will be without Elliott and probably Lee, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. But in this game, they have the advantage of not having to travel during the short week and that could help tilt the scales for Dallas. 

Phillip Rivers and the Chargers' offense should be able to move the ball fairly well against the Cowboys' defense, but expect Dallas to do the same.

However, with Smith likely out again with a groin injury, the Cowboys could be in major trouble in the passing game. The Chargers might have the best duo of pass-rushers in the NFL in Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, which could spell trouble for Dallas. 

Without three of the Cowboys' top five players, it's likely this one will be much closer than it should be. Expect it to be close, but the Chargers will most likely pull off the upset and ruin Dallas' Thanksgiving day. 

Prediction: Chargers 27-24

Week 13: Washington Redskins

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Time/Station: 8:25 p.m. ET on Thursday Night Football on CBS

Even if the Cowboys drop their last two games, Dallas will still be in the wild-card hunt. Six losses don't knock them out of the playoffs, but it will require them to win from this point on. And that is certainly possible with their roster. 

Because of some odd scheduling, this will be both the Cowboys and Redskins' second Thursday game in a row. Luckily for Dallas, the team won't have to travel at all in the next three weeks and that could be pivotal in this divisional matchup. 

With the Redskins having a current record of 4-5 and with the New Orleans Saints on the docket next, it's likely this game won't mean as much to the Redskins as it does to the Cowboys. But like any divisional game, it's not going to be easy for the Cowboys. 

After beating the Redskins in the rain on their home turf just a few weeks ago, Dallas should have a lot of confidence in this one.

Expect this one to be ugly and hard-fought. It will likely come down to the last few possessions of the game, but Dallas should be able to overwhelm the Redskins on the line of scrimmage with their talent and find some way to pull off the win at home.

Once again, this will be another must-win game for the Cowboys. 

Prediction: Cowboys 27-26

Week 14: At New York Giants

Roger Steinman/Associated Press

Time/Station: 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

Of all the remaining games left on the Cowboys' schedule, this one should be the easiest.

Dallas will be coming off of 10 days rest, while the New York Giants will be on the back of a road game in Oakland.

The Giants are reeling as a team, and it doesn't look like they are going to get better any time soon. Their offensive line is falling apart and their once highly regarded defense is playing with little heart. It's been a nightmare season for New York. 

However, the Giants aren't just going to roll over. In fact, they could make this game their "Super Bowl" as they would love nothing more than to knock the Cowboys out of playoff contention. Dallas should be fully prepared to take New York's best shot in this game, regardless of their record. 

Assuming the Cowboys can win a few games up until this point, Dallas will still have a ton to play for in Week 14.

And as long as Dak Prescott is under center for the Cowboys, Dallas should be a heavy favorite to win in New York and sweep the season series.  

Prediction: Cowboys 21-17

Week 15: At Oakland Raiders

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Time/Station: 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday Night Football on NBC

If the Cowboys can make it through the next month of the season with a record of 3-1 or even at 2-2, they will give themselves at least a fighting chance over the final three games of the season.

Dallas may need some good luck from some of the other teams in the NFC, but if they can get to this part of the season with at least seven wins, they will have a chance. 

However, this game will not be easy. The Oakland Raiders are not the dominant power they were last season, but their roster matches up well with the Cowboys.

In the final game without Elliott, Dallas may have to get into a shootout with the Raiders if they want to steal a win. 

On paper, the Cowboys should be able to win this game. However, these two teams are eerily similar as they are both strong on the offensive and defensive line and are led by young quarterbacks.

However, injuries and the overall health of the Cowboys will likely determine who wins this matchup. Assuming Smith and Lee are back by the time of this game, Dallas should be able to win on the road.

Prediction: Cowboys 30-28

Week 16: Seattle Seahawks

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Time/Station: 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox

The goal for the Cowboys needs to be this: Find a way to get to at least 8-6 by Week 16 of the regular season.

If Dallas can go 3-2 over their first five games in this final seven-game stretch, they will likely control their own destiny from there.

And in Week 16 on Christmas Eve, the Cowboys could be battling the Seattle Seahawks for the final wild-card spot in the NFC, with the winner holding the ever-important tie-breaker.  

Luckily for Dallas, this will be the week Elliott is eligible to return to the team—and they will need him. Despite the loss of Richard Sherman, the Seahawks are still loaded in their front seven and will provide the Cowboys with a tough challenge.

But the last part of that statement might be the biggest difference in this game. While the Cowboys don't have a strong home-field advantage, the Seahawks are a totally different team on their travels. Their defense just doesn't play at the same speed when they aren't in Seattle. 

With a potential wild-card spot on the line, this one has the makings of a pseudo-playoff game, with the loser likely being eliminated from playoff contention.

Expect this one to be close, and whichever team is the healthiest at this point will probably win. However, this will likely be the game that ends the Cowboys' playoff hopes. 

Prediction: Seahawks 21-20

Week 17: At Philadelphia Eagles

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Time/Station: 1 p.m. ET on Fox

Much like last year, this game could be meaningless for both teams.

In 2016, the Cowboys were 13-2 entering this week with nothing to play for, while the Eagles were already out of playoff contention. Last year, Dallas played their starters for one quarter before resting their stars. 

If the Eagles continue to bulldoze their way through the NFC, this game likely won't have any meaning for them. But if the Cowboys need this win to get into the playoffs—and especially if Dallas beats them in Week 11—you can bet the Eagles will use this week as a tuneup for their playoff run. 

However, with how tough the Cowboys' schedule is over the next seven weeks, it's unlikely this game will have much meaning for either team.

If the Cowboys can somehow stay alive to this point and with Elliott back in the lineup, though, Dallas could win this game on the road against a team with nothing to play for. 

Prediction: Eagles 24-17