The Cowboys are perhaps being undervalued by sportsbook oddsmakers with their current win total over/under ranging from 10 to 10.5.
This number may prove to be too low as the Cowboys have the second easiest strength of schedule, with opponents combining for a .462 win percentage in 2021.
Below, we are predicting the outcome for each game on the Cowboys’ 2022 schedule. Our final record prediction? A sparkling 12-5.
Cowboys 2022 game predictons
Week 1: WIN vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last year the NFL season kicked off with this same matchup on Thursday Night Football. This year, the two will meet again in week one but this time on Sunday Night Football.
Former head coach Burce Arians moved into a front office role, making way for former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to step up in head coaching duties.
It may take time for Brady to mesh with his new coach, and Dallas should be able to take advantage of this.
Week 2: LOSS vs Cincinnati Bengals
QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase were a lethal combination in the passing games for the Bengals last season. Cincinnati’s 259 passing yards per game ranked seventh-best in the league.
The Cowboys’ defense ranked 20th in passing yards allowed, meaning this could be a recipe for disaster for Dallas.
This bout also comes off the heels of what could be an emotional week one win over Tampa Bay. Look for Dallas to fall short in this matchup.
Week 3: WIN at New York Giants
Dallas had the Giants’ number last season, winning both divisional games by a combined 39 points. The Giants finished with a 4-13 record in 2021 and hired first-time head coach Brian Daboll this offseason.
Dallas is trending upward, aiming for a Super Bowl run while New York is at square one of a rebuild.
Look for the Cowboys to run away with this one.
Week 4: WIN vs Washington Commanders
As large as the point differential was against New York last year, the Cowboys beat the Commanders even more handedly. Dallas’ point differential against Washington was 49 as QB Dak Prescott was able to thrash the Commanders’ defense in the second matchup of the season, winning by 42 points.
Washington traded for quarterback Carson Wentz this offseason, meaning Wentz was traded twice in a 13-month span. Wentz reportedly wasn’t a good locker room presence for a few reasons and it led to his demise with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts.
Dallas continues their winning ways against the Commanders.
Week 5: LOSS at Los Angeles Rams
The defending Super Bowl champions bread and butter was the passing game last season. QB Matthew Stafford had the third-most passing yards, and WR Cooper Kupp had the most receiving yards.
This was the Cowboys’ weakness defensively, and it could rear its ugly head again in this highly anticipated game.
Week 6: LOSS at Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys had a perfect record against NFC East foes in 2021, however that won’t be the case in 2022.
Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott had great games against the Eagles but that may not be enough to get the job done this season.
A major issue for Philadelphia was receiver depth, which they addressed by trading for former pro-bowler A.J. Brown.
Defensively, the Eagles added former pro-bowl cornerback James Bradberry along with rookie defensive tackle Jordan Davis, selecting him 13th overall in the draft.
Philadelphia uses home field to its advantage in a tight victory.
Week 7: WIN vs Detroit Lions
The Lions narrowly trailed the Jaguars for the worst record in football at the season’s end, finishing 3-13-1. In fact, the Lions didn’t even notch their first win until week 13.
Taking defensive end Aidan Hutchinson second overall in the 2022 NFL Draft was a step in the right direction, but it won’t be enough to stop Dallas who ranked second in passing yards per game in 2021.
Week 8: WIN vs Chicago Bears
The franchise welcomed new faces in general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus.
They also saw key pieces leave like three-time all pro linebacker Khalil Mack and receiver Allen Robinson. Former pro bowl defensive end Akiem Hicks is a free agent who isn’t speculated to return to Chicago.
This season will be more about development of players rather than wins and losses, so this will be another matchup that Dallas comes out on top.
Week 9: BYE WEEK
Week 10: WIN at Green Bay
The Packers made a splash this offseason when they traded two-time all pro WR Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.
QB Aaron Rodgers admitted on The Pat McAfee Show that he was shocked by the news and he resigned a deal in Green Bay under the assumption that his running mate would return as well.
Now, the Packers’ top receiver on the depth chart is Allen Lazard. The former Iowa State Cyclone has never been leaned on as a number one option and Green Bay won’t be able to succeed relying on him as their top option
The Cowboys will leave Green Bay victorious, finally getting redemption for the infamous ‘dropped pass’ game by Dez Bryant from the 2014 NFL playoffs.
Week 11: WIN at Minnesota Vikings
When these teams met last season, backup QB Cooper Rush was able to get the victory in Prescott’s absence.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins struggled, throwing for only 184 yards. Each team combined for 36 points in the game.
Assuming Prescott is healthy, Dallas should roll Minnesota and rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Week 12: WIN vs New York Giants
While Daboll promises to be a better coach than Joe Judge was for the Giants, they don’t have the talent to compete with the Cowboys.
Dallas will sweep New York once again, winning round two of this storied rivalry.
Week 13: LOSS vs Indianapolis Colts
While many offensive schemes in pro football are becoming pass-heavy, the Colts are a blast from the past.
All pro running back Jonathan Taylor led the league in rushing attempts and yards last season.
Dallas was middle of the road, allowing 112 yards per game. But with the memory of the San Francisco 49ers running all over Dallas in the Wild Card loss, it’s clear rushing defense is a weakness that the Colts should expose.
Week 14: WIN vs Houston Texans
This Lone Star State rivalry shouldn’t be close with Houston coming off a 4-13 season.
This led the Texans to hire Lovie Smith as its new head coach, his first time assuming the role since he held the position with the Chicago Bears in 2012.
Houston is in the early phases of a rebuild, with a roster that’s not solid enough to compete for the Lombardi Trophy in 2022. Don’t expect any different when they face Dallas.
Week 15: WIN at Jacksonville Jaguars
Yet another 2021 basement dweller squaring off against the Cowboys. Dallas plays four of the bottom five teams by record from last year.
Jacksonville’s 3-14 record was the worst in the NFL. Much of the poor play can be attributed to the countless distractions caused by former Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer. He was making headlines for his actions or statements throughout the season and eventually was fired after coaching only 13 games.
With former Super Bowl champion head coach Doug Pedersen taking over, the team should be much better this season. But still not good enough to score a week 15 win.
Week 16: WIN vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles filled some gaping holes that held them back from greater success last season.
With their newly acquired pieces, the games against the Cowboys should be tightly contested with home field advantage being a difference maker in each game.
Week 17: LOSS at Tennessee Titans
The Titans are another team that promises to pound Dallas in the running game with former all pro Derrick Henry. Even without Henry, who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2020, Tennessee finished 2021 fifth in rushing yards per game.
Look for Henry to bulldoze his way through the Cowboys run defense, leading the way to a Titans win.
Week 18: WIN at Washington Commanders
Dallas will be fighting for playoff positioning in the final week of the regular season. Washington should be out of the playoff picture by now with nothing but pride to play for.
The Cowboys get the win and improve their postseason seeding.
