Predicting the Dallas Cowboys' 2009 Season

Week One @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win

Dallas will be playing against a new coaching staff in Tampa, and they will come out firing on all cylinders early in the season. 

Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will understand that the running game should be featured this season because of the lack of depth at the wide receiver position. 

I see a win for the Cowboys.

Week Two vs. New York Giants: Win

The first game in the new Cowboys Stadium against a division rival will be one for the ages. Both teams will play extremely hard to win the first one at Cowboys Stadium, and expect a dogfight like you have never seen before. 

Especially after Brandon Jacobs called Romo a sub-par quarterback. Look for Romo to show that he deserves that huge contract extension he got almost a year ago.

The Cowboys will have a better performance than their last at Texas Stadium, and they will win.

Week Three vs. Carolina Panthers: Loss

The first Monday Night Football game at Cowboys Stadium comes against a solid football team. 

I think the Panthers will return to their winning ways under Fox, and will be a sleeper team going into the season. They have a good running back combo, Steve Smith, and a hungry defense ready to prove themselves once again. 

The Cowboys will have to be strong in the secondary while also stopping the running game if they want to have a chance at winning this game. 

I see the Panthers taking this one, though.

Week Four @ Denver Broncos: Win

A motivated Cowboys team, coming off their first loss, will bounce back against a decent Broncos team. 

With a question marks at quarterback and on defense, the Broncos will have difficulty stopping the running game. Offensively, the zone blocking scheme seems to be gone with the departure of Shanahan, so the Cowboys will have an easier job stopping the run and getting pressure on Orton, forcing him to make bad plays. 

I foresee a win... and a big one at that.

Week Five @ Kansas City Chiefs: Win

In Week Five, the Cowboys will see a rebuilding Chiefs team with a shaky offensive line, receiving core, and secondary...so look for the aggressive 3-4 to give the Chiefs some problems. 

Also, I envision a strong first half from the trio of running backs for the Cowboys, opening up the passing game in the second half. Hopefully Kitna can get some time in the fourth quarter, and I predict a huge win going into the bye week.

Week Six: Bye

It will be a much-needed rest going into a schedule that features five division games, five road games, and only one cakewalk—against the lowly Raiders.

Week Seven vs. Atlanta Falcons: Win

The Cowboys will have trouble with the Falcons because of their explosive offense. 

However, the Falcons' defense is not the best in the league, so I put this game on the backs of the Cowboys defense. If they play well, the Cowboys win. 

If not, look for a high-scoring affair, featuring two of the leagues best tight ends. 

Since it is a home game, the nod goes to our Cowboys.

Week Eight vs. Seattle Seahawks: Loss

The Seahawks are a scary team. 

They will be coming off a bye, therefore will be fresh and rested. Julius Jones has something to prove against his former team, and will play a good game. 

The Cowboys will fall into the trap of looking ahead to the next game in Philadelphia, and play poorly. Romo will have one of his wild throwing days against a good Seattle secondary, while the Cowboys' defense will struggle to stop Hasselbeck and the West Coast offense. 

As Randy Galloway likes to say: Cows lose, Cows lose.

Week Nine @ Philadelphia Eagles: Win

It's the game all Cowboys and Cowboys fans have been waiting for—the much anticipated rivalry game against the team that knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs last year, and did so by embarrassing the city of Dallas. 

The Cowboys' defense will be more aggressive than they have been all year, while Marion the Barbarian will run people over with a new level of intensity. Look for a smash-mouth gameplan from Garrett, trying to prove to the league who the stronger team is. 

McNabb will find his speed receivers to keep the game interesting, but the Cowboys' desire and passion to destroy the Eagles will prevail, thus leading them to a win.

Week 10 @ Green Bay Packers: Loss

Playing at Lambeau field in November means a tough game, and all the Cheese Heads will fill the stadium to bark and yell at the Dallas Cowboys. 

The Cowboys will have to play a running game, but the offensive line will have difficulty against the Packer defensive line. Romo will force a few throws, and the stout secondary of the Packers will hold strong. 

Coming off an emotional win in Philly, I predict a loss.

Week 11 vs. Washington Redskins: Win

In one of the best rivalries in all of sports...the loathed Washington Redskins come into town with a revamped defense, but uncertainty at quarterback. 

The Cowboys will play hard at home and disrupt Jason Campbell with a swarming defense. Ware will prove why he is the best defensive player in the game, and the Cowboys win.

Week 12 vs. Oakland Raiders: Win

No explanation needed—it’s the Raiders.

Week 13 @ New York Giants: Loss

It is December, and very hard to go against history, especially in New York.

Jacobs will pound the Cowboys. 

On the other hand, Romo will struggle to find his receivers in the cold. 

The speculation of collapsing in December will once again haunt the Cowboys as they approach their toughest five games in a few years.

Week 14 vs. San Diego Chargers: Loss

As arguably the most talented team on paper, the Chargers will put the pieces together this season, and become a favorite to win the Super Bowl. The Cowboys will have trouble stopping LT and Gates. 

This will be a close game, as Wade knows what parts of the Charger defense to attack, but I see the Chargers coming out on top, based on pure talent.

Week 15 @ New Orleans Saints: Win

Playing against former offensive coordinator Sean Payton, the Cowboys will be entering this game with a two-game losing streak, and in jeopardy of collapsing in the last part of the season...again. 

A motivated Cowboys team will be aggressive against a sub-par defensive Saints team. The hard-hitting nature and speed of the Cowboys defense will contain Reggie Bush, while the improved secondary of the Cowboys will attempt to slow down Brees and Company.  

I predict the Cowboys win their first game in December on the road in New Orleans.

Week 16 @ Washington Redskins: Loss

In sticking with tradition, the Cowboys will split their season series with the Redskins. 

Washington usually gets better as the season progresses, and this should continue. The Redskins will make a late push for the playoffs, even though they always come up short. 

The Cowboys lose this game, which sets up a must-win in Week 17 against the hated Eagles.

Week 17 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Win

Still filled with hatred and animosity because of last season’s collapse, the Cowboys will beat the Eagles at home in the last week of the season. 

Romo will defy all odds and doubters by producing a stellar performance against a very good defense, earning his team a spot in the playoffs. The running game will support Romo, while the defense will not permit any comebacks or heroic plays from Westbrook (if he isn’t injured), or McNabb.

The Cowboys finish with a 10-6 record and a playoff spot. 

Hopefully, the Cowboys surprise us all and play better than I have predicted, but a 10-6 record will be acceptable—especially with a tough December and many question marks about the team going into training camp.