Jwooten15
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That doesn't prevent it from being a bad loss
2015 Cowboys Schedule
- Thread starter boozeman
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Sure, I'm just explaining why that game didn't pop into my head as this annual "bad" loss we were referring to. But if you want to predict one for next season forget about the Dolphins or any of those teams and just pick the Giants or Redskins. The shit out of division teams shouldn't scare you nearly as much as the shit rivals.
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Game-by-game predictions: Dallas Cowboys
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
Predicting a season five months before it even starts with so many unknowns is impossible. There are too many twists and turns that will happen between now and the season opener. But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun and go off what we think we know right now and make a guess. So with that in mind, hold on for a slow start but a fast finish by the Cowboys.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. New York Giants, 8:30 p.m.
There was a time Eli Manning and the Giants owned AT&T Stadium. Not anymore. The Cowboys will make it five in a row against New York overall. Cowboys 31, Giants 23. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
The story of the week will be DeMarco Murray, who led the NFL in rushing last year for the Cowboys but left as a free agent for the Eagles. But don’t be surprised if another former Cowboy, Miles Austin, has a big day. Eagles 33, Cowboys 27. Record: 1-1
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
With a new coach, the Falcons could be a quick-turnaround team considering the talent they have on the offensive side of the ball. If they get better up front, then this will be a tougher game than many believe. Cowboys 31, Falcons 28. Record: 2-1
Week 4: Sunday Oct. 4 at New Orleans Saints, 8:30 p.m.
The Cowboys last trip to New Orleans was an embarrassment. They aren’t close to being the same team, but the same can be said about the Saints and not in a good way. Still, Drew Brees has some magic inside the Superdome. Saints 41, Cowboys 35. Record: 2-2
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11 vs. New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
Tom Brady will be making his first and likely last trip to AT&T Stadium for a regular-season game. The defending Super Bowl champs might have suffered some losses, but they are still the best-coached team in the league and know how to get it done. Patriots 31, Cowboys 27. Record 2-3
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25 at New York Giants, 4:25 p.m.
The Cowboys have won three in a row at MetLife Stadium and will desperately need to get to .500 with a win here. Coming off the bye week will be a big help. Cowboys 24, Giants 21. Record: 3-3
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
The Cowboys won at Seattle last year in a game kept close by some special-teams gaffes. As much as the Cowboys had an offensive formula to beat Seattle in 2014, the defense was outstanding. They get the job done at home versus Russell Wilson. Cowboys 24, Seahawks 20. Record: 4-3
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:25 p.m.
The Cowboys seem to have righted the ship with back-to-back wins and will welcome Murray to Arlington for the first time. The bigger question might be who is playing quarterback for the Eagles. Will Sam Bradford be healthy? Dare we wonder about Tim Tebow? Cowboys 38, Eagles 27. Record: 5-3
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Will the Cowboys get to see Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota? Probably Winston. They will get to see ex-teammates Bruce Carter, Henry Melton and Sterling Moore, who signed with the Bucs as free agents. Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 20. Record: 6-3
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22 at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
The last time the Cowboys saw Ndamukong Suh was in the wild-card round in January against the Detroit Lions. He cashed in as a free agent with the Dolphins and will make that defense a lot tougher. So much so that Ryan Tannehill won’t have to carry the show: Dolphins 24, Cowboys 22. Record: 6-4
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 26 vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m.
Greg Hardy gets to go against his former team in front of a national audience. Do you think he will be fired up for this one? The Cowboys will need him to be at his best to pressure Cam Newton, who can beat a team with his legs and arm. Cowboys 30, Panthers 20. Record: 7-4
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 7 at Washington Redskins, 8:30 p.m.
No matter the record, this one will be difficult. They always are with the Redskins. But the Cowboys enter this game feeling pretty good and know they need a win with what awaits them next week. Dan Bailey wins it at the gun. Cowboys 24, Redskins 23. Record: 8-4
Week 14: Dec. 13 at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
It would be sweet justice if the Cowboys win this game on a late-touchdown catch on a fourth-down play to Dez Bryant considering what happened at Lambeau Field in the divisional round of the playoffs. Of course, Aaron Rodgers figures to be healthy, too. Packers 33, Cowboys 24. Record: 8-5
Week 15: Dec. 19 vs. New York Jets, 8:25 p.m.
Todd Bowles had the Cowboys guessing wrong last year when he was Arizona’s defensive coordinator, but that was with Brandon Weeden as the Cowboys’ starter. The Darrelle Revis-Dez Bryant matchup will be a thing of beauty. Cowboys 23, Jets 16. Record: 9-5
Week 16: Dec. 27 at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
How much snow will be on the ground? It won’t matter. The Cowboys are built to win on the ground and will be able to control the game. Tony Romo had five picks in his last trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium, but they still won. Cowboys 31, Bills 17. Record: 10-5
Week 17: Jan. 3 vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.
After a 2-3 start, the Cowboys have gone 7-2 and are in position to earn a first-round bye with a win against the Redskins. Who knows if Robert Griffin III will still be the Washington quarterback. Regardless, the Cowboys wrap up a playoff spot. Cowboys 27, Redskins 16. Record: 11-5
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
Predicting a season five months before it even starts with so many unknowns is impossible. There are too many twists and turns that will happen between now and the season opener. But that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun and go off what we think we know right now and make a guess. So with that in mind, hold on for a slow start but a fast finish by the Cowboys.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. New York Giants, 8:30 p.m.
There was a time Eli Manning and the Giants owned AT&T Stadium. Not anymore. The Cowboys will make it five in a row against New York overall. Cowboys 31, Giants 23. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
The story of the week will be DeMarco Murray, who led the NFL in rushing last year for the Cowboys but left as a free agent for the Eagles. But don’t be surprised if another former Cowboy, Miles Austin, has a big day. Eagles 33, Cowboys 27. Record: 1-1
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
With a new coach, the Falcons could be a quick-turnaround team considering the talent they have on the offensive side of the ball. If they get better up front, then this will be a tougher game than many believe. Cowboys 31, Falcons 28. Record: 2-1
Week 4: Sunday Oct. 4 at New Orleans Saints, 8:30 p.m.
The Cowboys last trip to New Orleans was an embarrassment. They aren’t close to being the same team, but the same can be said about the Saints and not in a good way. Still, Drew Brees has some magic inside the Superdome. Saints 41, Cowboys 35. Record: 2-2
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11 vs. New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
Tom Brady will be making his first and likely last trip to AT&T Stadium for a regular-season game. The defending Super Bowl champs might have suffered some losses, but they are still the best-coached team in the league and know how to get it done. Patriots 31, Cowboys 27. Record 2-3
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25 at New York Giants, 4:25 p.m.
The Cowboys have won three in a row at MetLife Stadium and will desperately need to get to .500 with a win here. Coming off the bye week will be a big help. Cowboys 24, Giants 21. Record: 3-3
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1 vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
The Cowboys won at Seattle last year in a game kept close by some special-teams gaffes. As much as the Cowboys had an offensive formula to beat Seattle in 2014, the defense was outstanding. They get the job done at home versus Russell Wilson. Cowboys 24, Seahawks 20. Record: 4-3
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:25 p.m.
The Cowboys seem to have righted the ship with back-to-back wins and will welcome Murray to Arlington for the first time. The bigger question might be who is playing quarterback for the Eagles. Will Sam Bradford be healthy? Dare we wonder about Tim Tebow? Cowboys 38, Eagles 27. Record: 5-3
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Will the Cowboys get to see Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota? Probably Winston. They will get to see ex-teammates Bruce Carter, Henry Melton and Sterling Moore, who signed with the Bucs as free agents. Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 20. Record: 6-3
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22 at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
The last time the Cowboys saw Ndamukong Suh was in the wild-card round in January against the Detroit Lions. He cashed in as a free agent with the Dolphins and will make that defense a lot tougher. So much so that Ryan Tannehill won’t have to carry the show: Dolphins 24, Cowboys 22. Record: 6-4
Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 26 vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m.
Greg Hardy gets to go against his former team in front of a national audience. Do you think he will be fired up for this one? The Cowboys will need him to be at his best to pressure Cam Newton, who can beat a team with his legs and arm. Cowboys 30, Panthers 20. Record: 7-4
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 7 at Washington Redskins, 8:30 p.m.
No matter the record, this one will be difficult. They always are with the Redskins. But the Cowboys enter this game feeling pretty good and know they need a win with what awaits them next week. Dan Bailey wins it at the gun. Cowboys 24, Redskins 23. Record: 8-4
Week 14: Dec. 13 at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
It would be sweet justice if the Cowboys win this game on a late-touchdown catch on a fourth-down play to Dez Bryant considering what happened at Lambeau Field in the divisional round of the playoffs. Of course, Aaron Rodgers figures to be healthy, too. Packers 33, Cowboys 24. Record: 8-5
Week 15: Dec. 19 vs. New York Jets, 8:25 p.m.
Todd Bowles had the Cowboys guessing wrong last year when he was Arizona’s defensive coordinator, but that was with Brandon Weeden as the Cowboys’ starter. The Darrelle Revis-Dez Bryant matchup will be a thing of beauty. Cowboys 23, Jets 16. Record: 9-5
Week 16: Dec. 27 at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
How much snow will be on the ground? It won’t matter. The Cowboys are built to win on the ground and will be able to control the game. Tony Romo had five picks in his last trip to Ralph Wilson Stadium, but they still won. Cowboys 31, Bills 17. Record: 10-5
Week 17: Jan. 3 vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.
After a 2-3 start, the Cowboys have gone 7-2 and are in position to earn a first-round bye with a win against the Redskins. Who knows if Robert Griffin III will still be the Washington quarterback. Regardless, the Cowboys wrap up a playoff spot. Cowboys 27, Redskins 16. Record: 11-5
jsmith6919
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Quit reading after the Miles could have a big day zinger
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5 thoughts on Cowboys’ 2015 schedule: NFC East-heavy slate early; 2nd half offers chance for win streak
Jon Machota
After quickly glancing at the NFL schedules released Tuesday, I have the Dallas Cowboys going 10-6. So no need to watch this season, I’ve already ruined the uncertainty.
The losses: Week 1 vs. New York, Week 4 at New Orleans, Week 5 vs. New England, Week 8 vs. Seattle, Week 14 at Green Bay, Week 16 at Buffalo.
OK, it’s way too early, and you think they’re going 14-2. That’s fine. Just having some fun. The draft, injuries, etc. will change things. Relax.
Seriously, though, how many clubs get both Super Bowl teams within the first eight weeks? Answer: only the Cowboys.
Anyway, here are my thoughts on Dallas’ 2015 schedule.
1.) Why so many division games early on? Last season, only two of the Cowboys’ first eight games were against division opponents. This year, four of their first eight are against division foes. And all four are against the Giants and Eagles. Dallas’ two games against Washington don’t come until December and January. Not since 2006 have the Cowboys opened a season with four of their first eight against NFC East teams.
2.) Greg Hardy’s suspension is yet to be determined, but rumors have it at anywhere from two to eight games. If he misses eight, that’s over half of the NFC East contests. If Hardy misses four, that puts him back on the field just in time to face Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Patriots. Either way, he’ll likely be back when the Cowboys host his former team, the Panthers, on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys obviously need Hardy as soon as possible. Sacking the quarterback hasn’t been one of the team’s recent strengths. While the Cowboys could add another pass rusher early in the draft and DeMarcus Lawrence could have a breakout sophomore season, Hardy’s ability to get after the quarterback will greatly change things for opposing offenses.
3.) The second half of the schedule is where the Cowboys could really make a run. Of those final eight games, only two of their opponents had winning records in 2014. Four of their opponents won less than five games last season. The Buccaneers only won twice. The Jets and Redskins, who they’ll face twice, each won four games. In other words, if the Cowboys are at least .500 at the midway point, they could be in pretty good shape down the stretch.
4.) When the Cowboys’ opponents were released earlier in the year, I was most interested to see when they would travel to Buffalo and Green Bay. I’m not a fan of cold weather, so obviously I wasn’t thrilled to see both games in December. And I’m sure the players feel the same way. Good news came in the form of back-to-back Florida trips in mid-November. But back to those December games. The average temperature that time of year in Green Bay is between 29 and 15 degrees. Buffalo is a little warmer, between 33 and 21. How that will impact this team remains to be seen, but having a strong running game helps. I’m thinking Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon would do just fine in those conditions.
5.) The Cowboys don’t have to wait long to see their old buddies, DeMarco Murray and Miles Austin. Possibly Tim Tebow, too. After opening against the Giants, Dallas travels to Philly in Week 2. With so many new pieces on the Eagles roster, that could be a good thing for the Cowboys. It might take Chip Kelly’s group some time to gel.
Jon Machota
After quickly glancing at the NFL schedules released Tuesday, I have the Dallas Cowboys going 10-6. So no need to watch this season, I’ve already ruined the uncertainty.
The losses: Week 1 vs. New York, Week 4 at New Orleans, Week 5 vs. New England, Week 8 vs. Seattle, Week 14 at Green Bay, Week 16 at Buffalo.
OK, it’s way too early, and you think they’re going 14-2. That’s fine. Just having some fun. The draft, injuries, etc. will change things. Relax.
Seriously, though, how many clubs get both Super Bowl teams within the first eight weeks? Answer: only the Cowboys.
Anyway, here are my thoughts on Dallas’ 2015 schedule.
1.) Why so many division games early on? Last season, only two of the Cowboys’ first eight games were against division opponents. This year, four of their first eight are against division foes. And all four are against the Giants and Eagles. Dallas’ two games against Washington don’t come until December and January. Not since 2006 have the Cowboys opened a season with four of their first eight against NFC East teams.
2.) Greg Hardy’s suspension is yet to be determined, but rumors have it at anywhere from two to eight games. If he misses eight, that’s over half of the NFC East contests. If Hardy misses four, that puts him back on the field just in time to face Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Patriots. Either way, he’ll likely be back when the Cowboys host his former team, the Panthers, on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys obviously need Hardy as soon as possible. Sacking the quarterback hasn’t been one of the team’s recent strengths. While the Cowboys could add another pass rusher early in the draft and DeMarcus Lawrence could have a breakout sophomore season, Hardy’s ability to get after the quarterback will greatly change things for opposing offenses.
3.) The second half of the schedule is where the Cowboys could really make a run. Of those final eight games, only two of their opponents had winning records in 2014. Four of their opponents won less than five games last season. The Buccaneers only won twice. The Jets and Redskins, who they’ll face twice, each won four games. In other words, if the Cowboys are at least .500 at the midway point, they could be in pretty good shape down the stretch.
4.) When the Cowboys’ opponents were released earlier in the year, I was most interested to see when they would travel to Buffalo and Green Bay. I’m not a fan of cold weather, so obviously I wasn’t thrilled to see both games in December. And I’m sure the players feel the same way. Good news came in the form of back-to-back Florida trips in mid-November. But back to those December games. The average temperature that time of year in Green Bay is between 29 and 15 degrees. Buffalo is a little warmer, between 33 and 21. How that will impact this team remains to be seen, but having a strong running game helps. I’m thinking Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon would do just fine in those conditions.
5.) The Cowboys don’t have to wait long to see their old buddies, DeMarco Murray and Miles Austin. Possibly Tim Tebow, too. After opening against the Giants, Dallas travels to Philly in Week 2. With so many new pieces on the Eagles roster, that could be a good thing for the Cowboys. It might take Chip Kelly’s group some time to gel.
Texas Ace
Teh Acester
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Yup.
I hate when a loss to bad team is excused because it's a division rival.
A bad team is a bad team, and the Redskins were a shit team led by a crap QB and we lost. It was easily the worst loss of the season.
Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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Yeah, I see about 11-5 too.
Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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And the worst part is, that bad loss may have spoiled our post season considering we could have played GB at home.
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Excused no, but any idiot can see there is a massive difference between a division rival and a team you don't play most years.
ravidubey
DCC 4Life
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The AFC East defenses got a whole lot better on average.
Bills probably have the league's best DL
Jets might have the league's 2nd best best DL, and they added Revis and Cromartie to back them up.
Dolphins added Suh
A schedule that has been a joke for 15 years chose this year to suddenly get very, very physical.
Sure the Jets, Fins, and Bills don't have QBs, but our defense still sucks and all three should be able to run the ball well after this draft. Hard to see the heart of our OL coming out of this year unscathed.
Romo and Dez need to play at a high level to keep beating these guys. Ironically the least physical AFC game might come against New England, who are only defending Superbowl champs.
Bills probably have the league's best DL
Jets might have the league's 2nd best best DL, and they added Revis and Cromartie to back them up.
Dolphins added Suh
A schedule that has been a joke for 15 years chose this year to suddenly get very, very physical.
Sure the Jets, Fins, and Bills don't have QBs, but our defense still sucks and all three should be able to run the ball well after this draft. Hard to see the heart of our OL coming out of this year unscathed.
Romo and Dez need to play at a high level to keep beating these guys. Ironically the least physical AFC game might come against New England, who are only defending Superbowl champs.