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The Cowboys will benefit from the low expectations throughout the media
Todd Archer predicts that the Dallas Cowboys will go 9-7 this season. After going 13-3 last season (probably 14-2 if Dallas played their last game with a full squad), this four game decline in wins would be a major disappointment. Per his predictions, the Dallas Cowboys will lose to the Broncos (away), the Cardinals (away), the Packers, the Falcons (away), the Commanders, the Giants (away) and the Seahawks. Other than the Commanders, Todd Archer is basing his picks on recent playoff success as the the Broncos and Seahawks are recent champs, and the Cardinals, Packers and Falcons have recently been to the NFC Championship game. Throwing in a pair of divisional opponents is entirely reasonable among a closely-contested NFC East. Let’s take a more thorough look at Acher’s picks and better tease out how many wins and losses the Cowboys will end up with this season.
Week 1: New York Giants
The Dallas Cowboys open up the season against the New York Giants and expect the team to rally around Darren McFadden as he has a major impact on the offense (unless Ezekiel Elliott actually plays). Odell Beckham Jr’s status remains questionable with his recent injury. Dallas will stop their losing streak against the Giants and start the season with a win. Record: 1-0.
Week 2: at Denver Broncos
The Cowboys head to Denver to face a stiff defense lead by Von Miller. This is a game of matchups and while the Dallas offense will be mostly neutralized by the Denver defense, expect the Dallas defense to help pull out a victory over a poorly-quarterbacked Denver squad. Record: 2-0.
Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals were expected to be the team to beat last season but they collapsed early and often. This season will be far different as David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, along with their star-studded secondary, will wreak havoc every week. Dallas is handed its first loss of the season. Record: 2-1.
Week 4: Los Angeles Rams
Thank goodness for the LA Rams. Dallas wins handily. Record: 3-1.
Week 5: Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers comes back into town and will continue to work his magic against the Dallas Cowboys. While Dallas won its regular season matchup last year, it was a Mason Crosby field goal that ended their season this past January. Expect a similar outcome this time around. Record: 3-2.
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: at San Fransisco 49ers
As Todd Archer stated himself, heading to San Fransisco after the bye week provides an easy game before a stretch of three tough opponents in a row. Dallas wins comfortably. Record: 4-2.
Week 8: at Washington Commanders
The last time Dallas was in Washington DC, Dak Prescott lead his first game-winning drive as Alfred Morris went in for the go ahead touchdown. Expect a similar outcome this time around. Record: 5-2.
Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs
This will be dubbed the Tony Romo game as Romo returns to Dallas for the first time to call this matchup with CBS. Dak Prescott will put on quite the show for his predecessor as Dallas continues its winning streak. Record: 6-2.
At the half-way mark, Todd Archer has the Cowboys at 5-3.
Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons
Dallas heads to Atlanta to face the defending NFC Champs in a matchup which might feature two of the top teams in the NFC. Atlanta does everything Dallas does, but better. Look for Dallas’s winning streak to get abruptly halted. Record: 6-3.
Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles
Similar to Atlanta being a better version of Dallas, Dallas is a better version of Philadelphia. Dallas boasts the better sophomore quarterback and the more talented offensive line. Look for Dallas to continue its divisional dominance with a win. Record 7-3.
Week 12: Los Angeles Chargers
In an anti-climactic Thanksgiving Day matchup, Phillip Rivers brings his team down to Dallas to face-off with the Cowboys. Look for Dallas to take care of business early and have an opportunity to rest their players after a short week. Record: 8-3.
Week 13: Washington Commanders
While the Cowboys have been the talk of the NFC East all season, the Commanders are quietly doing damage themselves. Kirk Cousins has a full arsenal of pass-catchers that prove to be too much for the Dallas secondary. Dallas drops one at home. Record: 8-4.
Week 14: at New York Giants
Dallas heads out to New York in early December and weather may prove to be the key to the game. While Dallas opened up the season strong against the Giants, Dallas is unable to pull out a victory behind a stellar Giants defensive performance. Record: 8-5.
Week 15: at Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys are essentially carbon copies of each other. Both teams boast stars at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and have a single spectacular talent on defense. The remaining position players play well and keep their respective teams competitive. Could this be a future Super Bowl matchup? Dallas pulls out a victory despite Marshawn Lynch toying with them throughout the game. Record: 9-5.
Week 16: Seattle Seahawks
While Seattle pulled out a narrow victory the last time they were in Dallas, this Cowboys team is far different. The Seahawks have a top-notch defense but look for Dallas to pull out a major victory to shape the NFC playoff race. Record: 10-5.
Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles
With back to back wins in December, Dallas ends the season in Philadelphia to face an Eagles team who may be vying for a wildcard spot. Dallas does no favors, pulls out the win and clinches a first-round bye in the playoffs. Record: 11-5.
Todd Archer has the Cowboys finishing 9-7 behind the New York Giants who are predicted to finish at 10-6. While each team in the NFC East has notoriously beaten one another throughout a grueling season, the Dallas Cowboys have played well within the division for the last few years.
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