Cowboys 2024 NFL Schedule Released for Dak Prescott, Dallas' Super Bowl Push

The Dallas Cowboys rolled into the playoffs last year off the high of a 12-win season, an NFC East title, the NFL's top-scoring offense and a playmaking defense led by superstar Micah Parsons.

They limped out of the postseason after the Green Bay Packers thoroughly dominated them 48-32 in a game that wasn't even as close as the score indicated.

During this offseason, owner Jerry Jones said that his team would be "all-in" in 2024. That hasn't really appeared to be the case, with the team not making any real splash moves for big-time free agents or adding anyone via trade.

The Cowboys did bring back running back Ezekiel Elliott after one year away from the team, though, and Dallas does welcome back star cornerback Trevon Diggs, who missed nearly all of last year with a torn ACL.

But time is of the essence in Dallas. As of this moment, quarterback Dak Prescott is entering a contract year, and the same goes for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb if neither player is signed to a long-term extension. Head coach Mike McCarthy is also in the final year of his deal.

One has to wonder whether the winds of change will bring about some huge moves next offseason if the Cowboys endure another disappointing end to the campaign.

On the flip side, perhaps Dallas rolls through the schedule below en route to a deep playoff run that finally sees a Super Bowl title after three decades. The Cowboys have the talent to do just that, with superstar linebacker Micah Parsons leading the way.

Without further wait, here's a look at the Cowboys' schedule, alongside some analysis.

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2024 Dallas Cowboys Schedule

Full schedule information available on the team's official website.

Analysis

This looks like a kind schedule to the Cowboys on paper. For starters, the Cowboys benefit from having an extra home game in 2024. Second, the stronger opponents on the Cowboys' ledger are all coming to Dallas, namely four reigning division champions in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

Obviously, that quartet will be tough to handle, and the same goes for a Cincinnati Bengals team getting quarterback Joe Burrow back in the mix after a season-ending wrist injury. But it's a lot better to play those teams at home.

The NFC East also doesn't look too daunting. The Philadelphia Eagles, who won 11 games las year, have the talent to bounce back from a brutal 1-6 finish to the season. However, the New York Giants and Washington Commanders are rebuilding teams and don't look like playoff contenders on paper.

The road slate is also manageable, outside a particularly tough test with the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Dallas has a very winnable game with the 2-15 Carolina Panthers, and the other non-divisional teams aren't powerhouses (Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns).

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Pivotal Matchups

Philadelphia Eagles (Home and Away)

On paper, the battle for the NFC East appears to be a two-team race between the Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, which has been the case each of the last two seasons. Understandably, those games will be the most pivotal ones for Dallas.

Last year, the Cowboys split a pair of games with Philadelphia but came up big when needed most, beating the Eagles 33-13 in a December matchup that ultimately led to the team winning the NFC East.

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Houston Texans

The Texans have enjoyed an accelerated rebuilding path thanks largely to the exploits of quarterback C.J. Stroud, and now he has a new weapon to work with in wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Houston also picked up ex-superstar defensive end Danielle Hunter from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.

Long story short: This looks like a potential Super Bowl sleeper despite the strength of the AFC. This will be the most anticipated Cowboys-Texans matchup since the 2002 season opener, when Houston beat Dallas 19-10 in its first-ever game in franchise history. Not only is this game for Texas state bragging rights, but it wouldn't be a shock to see these teams make the Super Bowl either.

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San Francisco 49ers

No team has been a greater thorn in the Cowboys' side over the past three years than the 49ers, who beat Dallas in the 2021 and 2022 playoffs before crushing Dallas 42-10 during he the 2023 regular season.

The Cowboys have simply been outclassed each time they've faced San Francisco, and now they travel to the Bay Area for the third straight year. This is a tough matchup for the Cowboys, who have encountered difficulties with the 49ers' daunting pass rush and star linebackers. But the defense was shockingly poor against San Francisco last year as well en route to seeing quarterback Brock Purdy toss four touchdowns, three to tight end George Kittle.

The road to the Super Bowl could very well go through San Francisco again, and Dallas assuredly wants to end its brutal run against this team and prove itself against a stout 49ers squad.