Dallas Cowboys 2015 Schedule: Win-Loss Predictions for Every Game
The 2015 NFL season is finally palpable as the NFL regular-season schedule was released on Tuesday night. This is a time when fans and media alike scramble to look at things such as strength of schedule and if their team has to play in the cold in December.
The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a 12-4 record where they exceeded everyone's expectations. Now they enter the season with considerably higher expectations, and it will be interesting to see if they can hold up.
Luckily for Dallas, it has a quarterback who can keep it in every game this season in Tony Romo. Furthermore, the Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines in football, to go along with a dominant wide receiver in Dez Bryant.
On defense, the Cowboys are much more talented than they were last year. Sean Lee is back from injury, Greg Hardy has been added to the mix, Rolando McClain is back, Orlando Scandrick seems to improve every year, and DeMarcus Lawrence should improve.
It is difficult to predict a team's record before the NFL draft has even taken place, but that is exactly what we are going to do. With that in mind, let's predict the outcome of each game on the Cowboys' schedule.
Week 1: vs. New York Giants
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The Cowboys will clash once again with their division rivals, the New York Giants, to start the season. Playing against the Giants is scary because Eli Manning is such a high-variance player. He can either be very good or very bad.
Also, Odell Beckham will certainly be a momentous test for the Cowboys secondary to start the season. It will be up to Scandrick and company to slow down the dynamic wide receiver.
One aspect where the Cowboys should be able to dominate is along the trenches on defense. It is still uncertain whether Hardy will be available, but even if he isn't, Tyrone Crawford and Lawrence should have great days.
On offense, Romo and company should be able to put up good production against the Giants defense. It is unclear as to who will be carrying the ball for the Cowboys, but behind this offensive line, he should do just fine.
Anything can happen in division games, but the Cowboys look to be a much more talented team, and they should get the win.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 20
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
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The Cowboys' biggest threat in the race for the NFC East crown will be their Week 2 opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles will almost certainly bring a dynamic offense and a suffocating front seven that will give any team trouble. Kelly's high-tempo offense will really test the Cowboys' conditioning, and it will be a huge early test for the Cowboys offensive line.
Last year, the Eagles front seven dominated the Cowboys offensive line in the first matchup, and the Cowboys can't let that happen again.
The Cowboys need to control the ball on offense and find space to run the ball effectively so that they can give their defense adequate rest.
The Cowboys have been a great road team, and they should be able to take care of business against their division rivals early in the season.
Prediction: Dallas 24, Philadelphia 21
Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons
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The Atlanta Falcons are a dangerous team that the Cowboys cannot overlook in Week 3. The Falcons have a ton of threats on offense to go along with a porous defense.
This game has all the makings of a shootout as two high-powered offenses do battle at Cowboys stadium. The Cowboys offense should be able to control the line of scrimmage and do whatever it wants against the Falcons, as they don't have much talent on defense outside of Desmond Trufant.
On defense, if the Cowboys can get pressure on Matt Ryan, this game could be a blowout. Ryan isn't that great of a quarterback when things break down, and he is prone to mistakes.
This is another game in which Crawford, Lawrence and possibly Hardy should have a field day.
Overall, expect the Cowboys offense to flourish as their defense makes a statement that it is much better than last season on Dallas' way to another victory.
Prediction: Dallas, 35, Atlanta 17
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Week 4: at New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL last year, but with Drew Brees at the helm, it is hard to believe that they will be that bad again.
This will be another huge test for the Cowboys defense, and it is a game that the Cowboys really need Hardy back for. If the Cowboys can't find a way to get consistent pressure on Brees, they will have a long day as he is one of the best at dissecting defenses in the league.
On offense, this is another matchup where the Cowboys shouldn't have many problems. They will have to worry about the myriad of looks that Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will throw at them, but Romo should be able to adjust.
This is a game that looks tailor-made for Bryant, as the Saints don't have anyone who can match up with him.
This game will be exceedingly tougher at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome than it would be if it were at Dallas. However, the Cowboys are the more talented team, and they should be able to get the win in hostile territory.
Prediction: Dallas 28, New Orleans 27
Week 5: vs. New England Patriots
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In a matchup between two of the most talented teams in the NFL, the Cowboys will face the New England Patriots in Week 5. This game appears reminiscent of when the Cowboys faced the Seattle Seahawks last year.
The Cowboys defense will have a tall task ahead of it as it faces the likes of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Once again, the Cowboys really need Hardy for this game because you have to get pressure on Brady if you want any chance to win this game.
On offense, the Cowboys' biggest matchup will be against Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who is the best game-planner in the NFL. This game will be a huge test for Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and Romo to see if they can match wits with Belichick.
This game will be a litmus test for the Cowboys to see where they lie in terms of the rest of the NFL. The Cowboys have as good of a chance as any to beat the Patriots, but Brady and company may be too much for the Cowboys on this occasion, especially if Hardy isn't available to play.
Prediction: Dallas 21, New England 24
Week 7: at New York Giants
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The Cowboys will be coming off an early bye as they face the New York Giants in Week 7. Just like in Week 1, this game should be Dallas' for the taking, especially coming off a bye.
The Cowboys will travel to New York on this occasion, but the goals remain the same. The Cowboys have to control the line of scrimmage and dominate the Giants front seven. They have to keep Odell Beckham in check, and they need to get pressure on Eli Manning.
Bryant and Jason Witten should have field days against the Giants as New York doesn't have anyone who can cover either on a consistent basis.
Once again, the Cowboys are just too talented to lose to the Giants at this stage of the season, and they should be able to grab another critical division win.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 20
Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks
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The Cowboys will have another huge test as they face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. Last year, the Cowboys defense played one of its best games of the season, coupled with the offense making huge plays when it had to.
To win this time around, the Cowboys will have to do much of the same. On defense, they will need to keep Russell Wilson in the pocket and make him beat them with his arm. They have to get physical with Jimmy Graham, and they can't afford to let him to dominate in the middle of the field.
On offense, the Cowboys will have their toughest test as they face the best defense in the league in Seattle. It will be crucial that the Cowboys establish a running game, or they will have a long day against Richard Sherman and company.
Overall, the Cowboys are one of those teams that appear to be a bad matchup for the Seahawks. Romo should be able to make a couple of key plays down the stretch to give the Cowboys a hard-fought win.
Prediction: Dallas 17, Seattle 14
Week 9: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
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The Cowboys continue their tough midseason stretch as they face the Eagles in Week 9 in Dallas. This will be a tough game for the Cowboys, as they will be worn down from their tough matchup against the Seahawks.
This time around, the Eagles defense will be in a much better place to match up against the Cowboys offense, and Eagles head coach Chip Kelly may have a few tricks up his sleeve for the Cowboys defense.
Fletcher Cox has found a way to be one of the few defensive linemen who consistently give the Cowboys offensive line trouble. This game appears to be an opportunity for him to be a thorn in Dallas' side throughout the game.
Division games are usually close, and this matchup could fall in favor of Philadelphia.
Prediction: Dallas 27, Philadelphia 28
Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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On paper, this game is a huge mismatch as the Cowboys are vastly superior in terms of talent to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On offense, the Buccaneers have Mike Evans and possibly a rookie quarterback who shouldn't scare the Cowboys at all. On defense, the Buccaneers have Gerald McCoy and LeVante David, who can both ruin the day for the Cowboys, but Dallas should be able to handle both of them.
Look for Bryant to have another big performance here as Romo looks to him early and often to establish their dominance.
Hardy should have a field day against the Buccaneers offensive line, and Sean Lee may even come up with an interception to put an exclamation point on a dominant Dallas victory.
Prediction: Dallas 42, Tampa Bay 21
Week 11: at Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins are extremely underrated, as they are very talented on offense and defense.
The Dolphins defense appears to match up extremely well, as it has one of the best—if not the best—defensive lines in football with Cameron Wake, Oliver Vernon and Ndamukong Suh.
Suh is one of the only players who got the better of Zack Martin last year, and Wake will have a favorable matchup against Doug Free. If the Cowboys offensive line doesn't play to its potential, Romo will be in for a long day.
On offense, Ryan Tannehill is an extremely underrated quarterback who can put up a lot of points in a hurry. Furthermore, the Dolphins have a good running game that could give the Cowboys some problems.
Overall, the Dolphins appear to be a bad matchup for the Cowboys, and they could come in and upset the Cowboys.
Prediction: Dallas 13, Miami 20
Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers
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For their annual Thanksgiving Day game, the Cowboys face Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. The Cowboys have a huge advantage in this game because they are playing at home on a short week, even if they are coming off a road game.
The Panthers have a very good defense with one of the best linebacker corps in football, but they are lacking in the secondary a bit. Romo will look to take advantage with Terrance Williams and Bryant down the field, as it will be tough sledding in the run game against the Panthers front seven.
Cam Newton is a dynamic playmaker who poses a ton of problems for the Cowboys defense. You can bet that Hardy will want to have a big game against his former team on Thanksgiving.
Look for Hardy to make a statement with a couple of sacks as the Cowboys cruise to a Thanksgiving Day win.
Prediction: Dallas 23, Carolina 17
Week 13: at Washington Redskins
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Anytime the Cowboys and Washington Redskins meet, you can throw out the records because they never seem to matter.
The Redskins always play the Cowboys close, and this year will not be any different as the Redskins are much more talented than they were last year when they beat the Cowboys in the first meeting between these two teams.
This year may be similar as the Cowboys may overlook the Redskins as they have a huge matchup against the Green Bay Packers the next week. That could lead to the Cowboys losing a game they really shouldn't lose.
The Redskins have a very talented defensive line who can pose some problems for the Cowboys offensive line. It will be interesting to see who the Redskins' starting quarterback will be at this point in the season, but it may not matter as the Redskins have a good opportunity to get the win here.
Prediction: Dallas 24, Redskins 23
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers
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A rematch of the controversial playoff matchup will occur in Week 14 as the Cowboys head to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers once again.
Last year, it came down to the controversial call on the Bryant non-catch, and the Cowboys will most certainly be looking for revenge.
One reason why the Cowboys were able to keep the game close was the fact that Aaron Rodgers was nursing a bad calf injury, and they likely won't have that luxury this time around.
The Packers offense is a bad matchup for the Dallas defense, and the Cowboys will have to play out of their minds to have a chance this time. If the Cowboys want to win this game, they will have to get pressure on Rodgers and hopefully pressure him into a few turnovers.
On offense, the Cowboys will have to have a dominant run game in the frigid temperatures in Green Bay. The Cowboys will desperately want to get revenge on the Packers, but in this scenario, that just doesn't come to fruition.
Prediction: Dallas 31, Green Bay 35
Week 15: vs. New York Jets
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In this scenario, the Cowboys are looking to bounce back from a two-game losing skid against the New York Jets. Luckily, the Jets are not very talented, and this is a perfect opportunity for Dallas to right the ship.
The Cowboys defense should be able to shut down the Jets offense, as it doesn't have a quarterback who strikes fear in the Dallas defense. Scandrick could come away with an opportunistic interception and lead the defense toward a dominant performance.
Romo will have much tougher sledding against a tough Jets defense, but he should be able to figure out how to exploit some of its weaknesses. Cole Beasley should be able to have a big game on his underneath routes.
An exciting matchup will be between Bryant and Darrelle Revis as arguably the best cornerback goes against arguably the top wide receiver.
The Cowboys have to win these types of games if they hope to go accomplish their goals, and that is exactly what they will do.
Prediction: Dallas 31, Jets 14
Week 16: at Buffalo Bills
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The Cowboys will once again face a team with a subpar offense and a great defense when they play against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16.
The Bills have a very talented front seven that can take over a game and win on its own, much like it did against the Packers last year. Luckily for Dallas, it has the offense to match the talent level of the Bills, which should allow the Cowboys to exploit a myriad of other areas on the Bills defense.
The Cowboys defense should be able to force multiple turnovers against the Bills and consistently put the Dallas offense in good field position throughout the game. This is the game where the Cowboys should start to round into top form as they get closer to the playoffs.
The Cowboys offense should be able to capitalize on its favorable position, as the defense stifles the Bills offense on the way to a dominant win for the Cowboys.
Prediction: Dallas 28, Bills 7
Week 17: vs. Washington Redskins
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This game has the potential to go a myriad of ways. If the Cowboys have a playoff berth and home-field advantage locked up, they may choose to rest their starters, which heavily swings the game in the Redskins' favor.
However, if the Cowboys play their starters for the full game, this should be a win for the Cowboys. In this scenario, the Cowboys would be looking to pay back the Redskins for their earlier loss, and they won't underestimate them this time around.
The Cowboys will likely want to make a statement as they head into the playoffs on their quest to win the Super Bowl.
Romo and company should take advantage of the intermediate passing game, and the Cowboys running game should be able to get going behind the dominant offensive line.
Prediction: Dallas 28, Washington 14
Predicted Season Record: 12-4
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