Dallas Cowboys 2011 Predictions: Outcomes for All 16 Regular Season Games

We are still a little ways away from the start of the NFL regular season but that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating on where their favorite teams will finish. After Week 1 in the preseason some are thinking Super Bowl and others have already started to look forward to the 2012 NFL draft. 

Before we cross that hurdle let's finish 2011 first.

The Dallas Cowboys are anxious to put 2010 behind them and start fresh this season. The ‘Boys have a few tough opponents in 2011 and their play against those strong teams will determine how far they go in 2011.

Lets take a look at how Dallas will do against those opponents as well as the rest of the slate this season.

Week 1: Cowboys at Jets

The ‘Boys will travel to New Meadowlands stadium twice this season and the first time is to play the New York Jets.

The Jets are coming off of back to back seasons where they made the AFC Championship game and will look to continue to build off of that success.

Dallas will have their work cut out for them on offense as the Jets are in their fourth season under head coach Rex Ryan and know his defensive scheme very well. This should be an entertaining game as Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will try to outduel his brother Rex.

I’m not that confident in the abilities of Mark Sanchez and I believe that brother Rob can throw enough in his direction to startle him.

Keys to victory: Dallas will have to aggressively attack the Jets on the ground as New York has one of the league’s best secondaries. If head coach Jason Garrett can control the number of times he passes the ball coupled with a balanced rushing attack the Cowboys should emerge victorious.

Dallas 24 Jets 17

Week 2: Cowboys at 49ers

Dallas should head into their game with the Niners with a nice piece of the big mo after beating the Jets. The 49ers are giving quarterback Daunte Culpepper a tryout at quarterback and if that doesn’t raise enough red flags then you must be color blind.

The Niners have a new head coach in Jim Harbaugh so there will be time needed to get acclimated to his style and system.

Not saying that the Cowboys will run away with it but they should win.

Keys to victory: Heavy use of Dez Bryant and Felix Jones should do the trick for Dallas. Romo should get his numbers and Garrett should again utilize the great running backs he has often.

Cowboys 31 49ers 20

Week 3: Redskins at Cowboys

This game is always tough to call because although the ‘Skins are terrible they are a division rival. Last season the ‘Boys marched up to D.C. and lost due to costly mistakes and erratic play on both sides of the ball.

The first time these two play in 2011 should be interesting as the ‘Skins will have a new look on offense with either quarterback John Beck or Rex Grossman playing the role of field general.

Cowboys fans will underestimate the ‘Skins at times due to their record or simply by their play. This game is tough to call but I believe Dallas will emerge victorious.

Keys to victory: Last season Dallas struggled in all facets of the ballgame. The offensive line was in flux and the offense just looked lost at times. Garrett should air it out but use rookie DeMarco Murray in the slot and running backs Felix Jones and Tashard Choice to grind the defense down in the fourth quarter.

Cowboys 23 Redskins 13

Week 4: Lions at Cowboys

The Lions have a great nucleus of young players and should be much better in 2011. Dallas beat Detroit 35-17 last season and the result shouldn’t be any different in 2011.

The Lions will be tougher up front and should give quarterback Tony Romo plenty of time to get acclimated with the carpet at Cowboys stadium. But even with a tougher defensive line Dallas should emerge victorious.

Keys to victory: Garrett should attack the Lions on the ground if their rush defense resembles the 2010 version. Detroit allowed 124 yards per game last season and Felix Jones and Tashard Choice should run wild against the Lions.

Cowboys 34 Lions 17

Week 6: Cowboys at Patriots

This will be the Cowboys second test of the season when they travel to New England. Dallas has an early bye week this season and it comes right before the Pats game.

This one will be tough for Dallas as the Patriots are looking to make it back to the Super Bowl and have loaded up on offense and defense in the offseason. Tom Brady will be formidable as usual and so will Wes Welker and maybe Chad Ochocinco.

I think that Dallas will fall short in this one as New England is tough to beat at home and Brady will test the Cowboys secondary.

Keys to victory: Dallas will need to get aggressive on offense. The Pats struggled on defense last season and if that continues into 2011 the Cowboys have a great shot at winning. Blitzing Brady often may work well for Dallas but the secondary will have to step up and get forceful.

Patriots 27 Cowboys 23

Week 7: Rams at Cowboys

The Rams are growing and they should be a force in the NFC West in a couple of seasons. Dallas should do work against St. Louis and Rob Ryan should blitz Rams quarterback Sam Bradford into the ground.

I’m sure Jason Garrett will allow Tony to go off with at least 30 to 35 pass attempts but it will be key for Garrett to get Felix Jones involved early and often.

Keys to victory: Defense will drive the team to victory in this one. By the sixth game the Cowboys should be acclimated to Ryan’s defensive system and they will drive the Rams into the ground.

Cowboys 35 Rams 23

Week 8: Cowboys at Eagles

This should be the matchup to watch in the NFC East this season. The Eagles went for broke in the offseason in an attempt to buy a championship by adding a totally new defense.

If the Cowboys can control the Eagles' explosive offense and Michael Vick’s arm then they should control the ballgame. But if the secondary gets out of sync and the defensive front gets dominated the Eagles will walk to victory.

Dallas will need to control the clock by running the ball and utilizing bubble screens and tight end Jason Witten.

Keys to victory: The Cowboys defense will be the deciding factor. Controlling Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy will be key. They’ll have to do that by keeping the Eagles off-balance on offense with blitzes, stunts and creative playcalling.

Eagles 27 Cowboys 17

Week 9: Seahawks at Cowboys

Tavaris Jackson, or T-Jack, will bring his show to Dallas as the Seahawks visit the Cowboys. Seattle is a work in progress and until they get a quarterback, running back and offensive line there isn’t much to worry about.

Dallas should win going away.

Keys to victory: I’m a fan of T-Jack and keeping him in front of you will be key because he’s fast and will take off if the play breaks down. He can extend drives with his legs and the Cowboys can control that with aggressive playcalling and blitzing.

Cowboys 37 Seahawks 20

Week 10: Bills at Cowboys

Buffalo is another team in flux. There isn’t much going on with the Bills but new uniforms, and I truly think the Cowboys should win. I understand that any given Sunday any NFL team can win but this is a game the Cowboys should win.

Last season the Cowboys lost plenty of games that were winnable and the key to a successful 2011 will be winning the winnable games. Sounds simple but we’ll see how the Cowboys turn their fortunes around.

Keys to victory: Defense, defense and defense. Their next game is against the Redskins, a division rival, and being sharp heading into that game will be key for them to emerge victorious.

Cowboys 17 Bills 6

Week 11: Cowboys at Redskins

Depending on who starts for the Redskins will depend on how Ryan attacks them defensively. Washington will always compete but I have a feeling that the ‘Boys may make this a clean sweep in 2011.

There should be major focus for the Cowboys this season and if so they should beat the Donovan McNabb-less Redskins.

Keys to victory: Felix Jones and his versatility. He’s quick, fast and nimble and giving him at least 25 touches should throw the ‘Skins off balance.

Cowboys 24 Redskins 10

Week 12: Dolphins at Cowboys

The Dolphins may have a new quarterback when they come to town to play the Cowboys. Chad Henne will more than likely see the bench before the season is out and not many people are expecting much from them this year.

Miami will most likely give Dallas a heavy dosage of Brandon Marshall and will use Reggie Bush as well. The Cowboys should be able to overcome what the Dolphins throw their way.

Keys to victory: Controlling Brandon Marshall in the secondary. He’s big and strong and if the Dallas secondary is unable to slow him down then the Cowboys may very well find themselves in the losers circle.

Cowboys 28 Dolphins 19

Week 13: Cowboys at Cardinals

The Cardinals may very well win the NFC West if Kevin Kolb works out as everyone believes he will. The Cards always give the Cowboys trouble and by Week 13 there should be a fight going on with both teams for playoff positioning.

Arizona will depend heavily on Kolb to take them back to the playoffs and if the Cowboys can slow down their passing attack they should win. But that’s easier said that done with Larry Fitzgerald playing wide receiver.

I see Dallas having a mental breakdown in this game reminiscent of 2010 with yellow flags and plenty of mental errors.

Keys to victory: Again it will be in the secondary as Terrance Newman, Mike Jenkins and Abe Elam will be charged with stopping Fitz. If they can’t then the Cards should win.

Cardinals 23 Cowboys 21

Week 14: Giants at Cowboys

The Giants and their “vaunted” defense will visit the Cowboys to battle for the playoffs and maybe the NFC East division title. You have to respect the Giants because they are a talented team but there seems to be something missing.

Regardless of that the Cowboys will need to win this game to keep up with the Eagles and maybe the Giants.

Keys to victory: The running game with Jones and Choice and the defense confusing quarterback Eli Manning.

Giants 23 Cowboys 17

Week 15: Cowboys at Bucs

The Bucs shocked plenty of teams in 2010 but that shouldn’t happen this season. They won’t sneak up on anyone and should have a tougher go of it this year.

Quarterback Josh Freeman will have another good season but I don’t think Tampa will win 10 games again.

Ryan will blitz Freeman often to try and rattle him and the Bucs will have to turn to the running game.

Keys to victory: Beating up on Josh Freeman by knocking him down at every shot.

Cowboys 31 Bucs 21

Week 16: Eagles at Cowboys

The rematch! The Cowboys will have to win this game if they want the NFC East and maybe a first-round bye in the playoffs. The ‘Boys will seek revenge in Week 16 and if the season plays like I think it will both teams will have to play starters as playoff seeding is still at stake.

This will be a must win for Dallas and it will show in their play.

Keys to victory: Defense again will be key to slowing down the Eagles offense. Controlling Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson will be top priority.

Cowboys 26 Eagles 18

Week 17: Cowboys at Giants

Once the Cowboys best the Eagles the last game should be meaningless for them. I think the Giants will be the lone team left out as the Falcons, Bears, Packers, Cowboys, Eagles and Rams should be the playoff teams.

The Giants will play for pride and Dallas will start their second stringers as they prepare for the second season.

Keys to victory: If quarterback Stephen McGee can bring ‘em out like he did against the Eagles last season then the ‘Boys can win.

Giants 17 Cowboys 13

Cowboys finish 11-5