The NFL released its full 2022 schedule this past Thursday, and according to NFL.com‘s own self-assessment of schedule strength, the Dallas Cowboys hit the proverbial jackpot, ranking in a dead heat with the Washington Commanders for the league’s easiest schedule. Smooth sailing to the playoffs this year for the Boys, right? Well let’s take a look at their schedule game by game, and give our best imitation of Nostradamus, predicting what their record will be after their regular season ends on January 8 in Landover, Maryland.
Week 1
The Cowboys jump into the 2022 season with both feet, with unretired Tom Brady and Tampa Bay making a visit to Jerry World in the season opener. The Buccaneers finished last season with a 13-4 record, and we have them as a contender again for the NFC’s representative in Super Bowl VVII. Final Score: Buccaneers 24 Cowboys 17
Cowboys Record: 0-1
Week 2
It doesn’t get any easier in the 2nd week of the season for Mike McCarthy’s squad as Joe Burrow and the Bengals visit AT&T Stadium. We see the Bengals in a battle with Kansas City and Buffalo for the top AFC spot once again, and the Cowboys drop to 0-2. Final Score: Bengals 27 Cowboys20
Cowboys Record: 0-2
Week 3
The Cowboys hit the road in week three, traveling to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York football Giants. The Giants are improved with two of the top seven picks in this year’s draft, but until they figure out the quarterback position (they scored a league low 258 points in 2021), they’ll continue to struggle. Final Score: Cowboys 28 Giants 14
Cowboys Record: 1-2
Week 4
The Washington Commanders visit Arlington in week four, and you can pretty much just repeat what we wrote above for the Giants. The Cowboys get back to .500 with their 2nd win. Final Score: Cowboys 21 Commanders 10
Cowboys Record: 2-2
Week 5
The Cowboys only visit to the West Coast leaves them looking for answers after Matthew Stafford and the Rams prove they are contenders for the title again this year. (Side note: so far this schedule doesn’t look so easy to us) Final Score: Rams 24 Cowboys 17
Cowboys Record: 2-3
Week 6
The Cowboys travel back east in week 6 to face the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Hurts certainly doesn’t strike fear into us as the Eagles projected starter at QB, but Philly is always a tough place to play and we have a bad feeling about this one. Final Score: Eagles 24 Cowboys 17
Cowboys Record: 2-4
Week 7
The Detroit Lions, much like the Giants will be better, but not good enough just yet to knock off the Cowboys at home. Final Score: Cowboys 30 Lions 14
Cowboys Record: 3-4
Week 8
The Bears travel to Texas in week 8, and we pretty much see a repeat of the previous week’s matchup. The Cowboys get back to even again this week. Final Score: Cowboys 28 Bears 17
Cowboys Record: 4-4
Week 9
Bye
Week 10
Mike McCarthy returns to Lambeau Field to face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in week 10. While it shouldn’t be too frigid yet in Green Bay for this late afternoon game, we see the Cowboys and their head coach receiving a chilly reception from the Cheeseheads. Final Score: Packers 27 Cowboys 21
Cowboys Record: 4-5
Week 11
For the 4th consecutive week the Cowboys take on a NFC North opponent, this time traveling to Minneapolis to take on the Vikings. The Vikings are a very “middle of the pack” team, scoring 425 points last season while allowing 426. The Cowboys just have more talent and it will prevail. Final Score: Cowboys 31 Vikings 17
Cowboys Record: 5-5
Week 12
Back to the NFC East in week 12 as the Giants travel to Arlington for the Thanksgiving Day game. The Cowboys typically play well on Turkey Day, as witnessed by their 31-21-1 record. We see the same result as in their first matchup of the season, and the Cowboys complete the season sweep of the Giants. Final Score: Cowboys 27 Giants 10
Cowboys Record: 6-5
Week 13
The Colts travel to Texas in an unlucky week 13, and we see the Cowboys tripping up against a resurgent Indy and Matt Ryan. The Cowboys drop back down to .500 on the season. Final Score: Colts 21 Cowboys 20
Cowboys Record: 6-6
Week 14
An in-state matchup has the Texans visiting the Cowboys in week 14. Not much to cheer about in Houston this season, and Boys take care of business handily. Final Score: Cowboys 34 Texans 17
Cowboys Record: 7-6
Week 15
Doug Pederson relaces Urban Myer as the head man in Jacksonville, but the Jaguars need a lot more than just a coaching change. The Cowboys travel to the Sunshine State and thump the Jags in week 15. Final Score: Cowboys 31 Jaguars 14
Cowboys Record: 8-6
Week 16
The Eagles visit AT&T Stadium in what could be an important NFC East late-season game. The Cowboys even up the season series with the Eagles in a close one, and secure their division lead. Final Score: Cowboys 21 Eagles 20
Cowboys Record: 9-6
Week 17
The Cowboys travel to Music City to take on a healed (hopefully for the Titans) Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans in the 2nd to last game of the season. Too much Henry is too much for the Cowboys to handle. Final Score: Titans 27 Cowboys 24
Cowboys Record: 9-7
Week 18
A trip to FedEx Field to take on the Commanders is a nice way to end the season. The Cowboys get back on track and dispatch Daniel Snyder’s squad without much effort. Final Score: Cowboys 30 Commanders 17
Final Prediction: Cowboys finish 10-7. NFC East Champions. First Round Playoff Exit. Mike McCarthy is fired and the Sean Payton era begins in 2023.
