Paunchy Cowboys time table, sport-by-sport predictions for 2023 season: Opponent breakdowns, high-time games, more

The factual news for the Dallas Cowboys under head coach Mike McCarthy is that they’ve been a success within the fashioned season prefer it be the Nineties again: consecutive seasons with 12 victories in 2021 (12-5) and 2022 (12-5), with quarterback Dak Prescott taking half in 12 or more games every season. The closing two seasons mark the first consecutive Dallas seasons with 12 or more wins for the explanation that 1992-1995 seasons, when the Cowboys won three Huge Bowls in four years with Corridor of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin leading the intention. 

The bottom news for the Silver and Blue is they’ve furthermore been constant within the playoffs the closing two seasons, losing every time to the San Francisco 49ers — within the NFC wild-card spherical in 2021 and within the NFC divisional spherical in 2022. That has prolonged their NFL narrative inch of consecutive playoff appearances with out a convention championship sport to 12 in a row. 

On the opposite hand, owner Jerry Jones started made some trim moves this offseason, buying and selling slack-spherical picks for quality veterans that can bound key roster roles. He did so within the presents to construct huge receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Both are already making an impression on their contemporary Cowboys teammates of their roles as the crew’s number two receiver and number two cornerback. These moves had been made on high of retaining factual about all of their key defensive gamers from a unit that allowed the fifth-fewest functions (20.1 functions per sport) within the NFL in 2022. 

Then, Dallas had a right, down the golf green 2023 NFL Draft by filling in ideal needs at defensive contend with, tight stay, linebacker, defensive stay and running attend. While their opt of Michigan defensive contend with Mazi Smith wasn’t the most attention-grabbing price add at that house, it be a preference that can maintain to aide two-time First-Team All-Pro Micah Parsons’ beefy-contain of the defensive stay enviornment within the upcoming season. Their most attention-grabbing price picks — third-spherical Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, fourth-spherical San Jose Instruct defensive stay Viliami Fehoko Jr., and sixth-spherical Kansas Instruct running attend Deuce Vaughn — might well perchance well all make contributions as good depth objects in 2023 and component into the Cowboys’ longer-time duration plans in an even bigger skill down the street. 

Now, Dallas enters the 2023 fashioned season with a powerful-improved roster than the one they had today a twelve months within the past. With that in mind, right here’s a quiz at their legit, 18-week time table, followed by an examination of how their season might well perchance well flip out.

Cowboys 2023 Time table

* Monday Night Soccer
** Thursday Night Soccer
*** Thanksgiving
**** Saturday

17 distinguished time table observations

The Cowboys maintain a likelihood to open the season off 3-1 or 4-0 given three of their first four games are towards groups they are able to maintain to address without issues: the Giants, Cardinals, and Patriots. Their Week 7 bye is in a good house, giving them a breather after consecutive street games on the West Waft towards 2022 playoff groups. After the bye, the extent of scenario shoots upward. Below are the tip-17 most distinguished objects it is most life like to have to takeaway from Dallas’ 17 games.

Notes on gallop, relaxation and kickoff instances

• Bye: Week 7
• 6 high-time games (T-most in NFL with Chargers, Chiefs, and Bills)
• Easiest two games conducted in first time slot on Sundays (1 p.m. ET)
• Two Thursday games, including Thanksgiving (attend-to-attend in Weeks 12 & 13)
• 3 mini-bye weeks (post-Thanksgiving, post-Week 5, post-Week 17)
• 4 street games in first six games earlier than Week 7 bye
• 5 house games in first seven games after Week 7 bye
• 3 street games in closing four contests to stay fashioned season
• No 3-sport street journeys
• Support-to-attend California street games in Weeks 5-6 
• Indispensable climate shock in Weeks 15-16 (at Bills then at Dolphins)

Cowboys’ opponent notables

• Matchups with every Recent York groups to open the season
• Matchups with all three NFC East competitors in first six weeks
• Support-to-attend contests towards closing two NFC Champions after bye week
• NFC East showdown vs. Commanders on Thanksgiving
• 4-sport stretch vs 2022 playoff groups after Thanksgiving
• Typical season finale vs. NFC East rival 

Hardest stretch: Weeks 13-17

Their 5-sport stretch, four of that are towards 2022 playoff groups, after a house date on Thanksgiving towards the Washington Commanders will construct or break the Cowboys’ different to accumulate the NFC East. They maintain a beefy week off earlier than taking half in again on a Thursday towards the young, all today bettering Seattle Seahawks, a playoff crew a twelve months within the past. Dallas follows up that house contest with their closing matchup towards the NFC Champion Eagles in Week 14 on “Sunday Night Soccer.” The subsequent two are every street games towards the tip two AFC East groups from a twelve months within the past: the division champion Buffalo Bills and the tune crew that is the Miami Dolphins. 

After two games in entirely varied climates, the curler coaster chase ends in Week 17 on a short week: a Saturday night house sport towards the offseason darling Lions, a crew that most effective overlooked the playoffs on a tiebreaker a season within the past. It is needed the Silver and Blue open right of their first eight games, seven of that are earlier than their Week 7 bye for the explanation that attend half of of their slate is no doubt stacked.  

Blended data of 2023 Cowboys opponents 

The Cowboys’ 2023 opponents maintain a blended narrative of 156-128-4, a accumulate percentage of .549. That gives Dallas a power of time table that’s tied for the fourth-most complex within the upcoming season alongside with the Recent York Giants, as our John Breech broke down right here. Easiest the Philadelphia Eagles (opponents’ blended narrative of 161-123-4, .566 accumulate pct), the Miami Dolphins (opponents’ blended narrative of 158-127-2, .554 accumulate pct), and Recent England Patriots (opponents’ blended narrative of 156-128-3, .549 accumulate pct) maintain more challenging roads forward in 2023. 

The NFC East despatched three groups to the playoffs closing season with the Commanders barely lacking the postseason by a sport plus tiebreakers, finishing as the NFC’s ninth seed. Offensively, they ought to be improved with extinct Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy calling plays as their contemporary OC and affiliate head coach. Dallas’ non-divisional time table is courageous, going thru the NFC West and AFC East divisions. That methodology matchups with 2022 playoff groups just like the 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers. 

That’s on high of going thru an additional nick of groups noticeably stronger in 2023 than they had been in 2022: the Recent York Jets — now the house of Dallas Cowboys’ bogeyman Aaron Rodgers –, the Recent England Patriots — who now maintain a coach with NFL OC skills calling plays in Invoice O’Brien — and the Carolina Panthers — equipped with a powerful stronger teaching workers and roster as Frank Reich and Bryce Young lead the price. The Detroit Lions might well perchance well perchance be more frisky in 2023 as they had been in 2022. Their NFC opponents’ narrative is unfounded on account of two groups, the 5-12 Rams and the 4-13 Cardinals, are dragging that number down. The Rams ought to be a powerful more competitive crew with simply better effectively being in 2023. 

Per fashioned, the Cowboys will have to continue stacking up a preference of wins throughout the NFC East to buttress their narrative towards undoubtedly a few of the more challenging non-division schedules for your total league. NFC games towards the NFC West and the Lions can be equally important since that crew of 5 groups possesses a pair of franchises Dallas might well perchance well perchance be neck-and-neck with within the convention standings. Head-to-head matchups are the first tiebreaker the league makes articulate of for playoff seeding. Provided that the Silver and Blue are powerful better in 2023, they maintain the total ingredients to open the season right. 

Listed below are the breakdowns for every sport, including rating predictions:

Weeks 1 and 10: Recent York Giants

First assembly: Week 1 (MetLife Stadium) – Sunday, Sept. 10, 8:20 p.m ET
Second assembly: Week 10 (AT&T Stadium) – Sunday, Nov. 12, 4:25 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 9-7-1 (Misplaced in NFC Divisional Round at Philadelphia Eagles)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): Cowboys lead 5-1

The Recent York Giants maintain done a right job of addressing a number of of their most attention-grabbing offensive holes: playmaking and the center of their offensive line. Trading for Pro Bowl tight Darren Waller and drafting 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner, college football’s simplest huge receiver, in Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt gives a powerful-wanted boost to Daniel Jones‘ circulate-catching unit. Coming away with undoubtedly a few of the draft’s high centers in Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz became once a broad accumulate as effectively. Defensively, they’re equally improved with the signing of linebacker Bobby Okereke and sequence of first-spherical cornerback Deonte Banks out of Maryland. 

These upgrades will construct the Cowboys-Giants matchups in 2023 equally competitive like they had been in 2022, but all yet again, the Cowboys will construct a season sweep. Dallas is 5-1 towards Recent York since hiring head coach Mike McCarthy with the lone loss coming in a sport started by Andy Dalton throughout the 2020 season when quarterback Dak Prescott became once injured. Talking of Prescott, when he sees the broad NY on those blue helmets, he ascends to 1 more level like Aaron Rodgers did towards the Chicago Bears for over a decade. The Dallas starting up quarterback has won his closing 10 starts towards the Giants, putting him in a membership with Captain Comeback himself, Corridor of Famer Roger Staubach, as the ideal quarterbacks for the explanation that 1970 NFL-AFL merger to accumulate 10 consecutive starts towards the G-Men. Defensively, the Dallas has ample flee to comprehend care of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley in entrance of them, plus powerful-improved secondary with the addition of Gilmore to comprehend care of their aerial assault in take a look at as effectively. 

Dak Prescott closing 10 starts vs. Giants

* Prescott and Roger Staubach are most effective QBs since 1970 NFL-AFL merger to accumulate 10 consecutive starts vs Giants

The Cowboys bustle Prescott’s inch to 12 in 2023 with their revamped roster, including Cooks as a security price opposite CeeDee Lamb. That might well perchance well break Staubach’s narrative of 11 straight wins towards the Giants from 1974-1979. 

Week 1 prediction: 24-20, Cowboys 
Week 10 prediction: 42-24, Cowboys  

Week 2: vs Recent York Jets

Date & Time: Week 2 (AT&T Stadium) – Sunday, Sept. 17, 4:25 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 7-10
Aaron Rodgers profession W-L vs Cowboys: 8-2 (Acquired 31-28 vs Cowboys in OT in Week 10 closing season)

In case you were not aware, Dallas Cowboys’ bogeyman Aaron Rodgers is now the quarterback of the Recent York Jets. His circulate from the Green Bay Packers to the Recent York Jets creates one more matchup between the four-time NFL MVP and the Cowboys that will per chance perchance well now now not maintain befell in 2023 had been he soundless a Packer. As a replace, the Silver and Blue salvage to face a quarterback who has won eight of his 10 starts towards the franchise while throwing 18 touchdowns to most effective two interceptions in those games. This might occasionally be a foremost early-season take a look at for Dan Quinn’s protection, going from going thru Daniel Jones in Week 1 to Rodgers in Week 2. He led the Packers to a31-28 additional time victory in 2022, after trailing 28-14 coming into the fourth quarter, with a broken thumb on his throwing hand. Rodgers achieved 14 of his 20 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. 

Aaron Rodgers profession vs. Cowboys, including playoffs

The Jets had been a quarterback far from making noise in 2022 thanks to their high-5 scoring protection (18.6 functions per sport allowed, fourth-simplest in NFL) and young playmakers (2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson and running attend Breece Corridor), in advise prolonged as Recent York’s offensive line can establish Rodgers in factual sufficient effectively being coming into this contest, they maintain a giant likelihood of ruining one more Cowboys’ Sunday.

Week 2 prediction: 34-28, Jets    

Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals

Date & Time: Week 3 (Instruct Farm Stadium) – Sunday, Sept. 24, 4:25 p.m ET
2022 narrative: 5-12
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): Tied 1-1

The Arizona Cardinals are rebuilding. They fired general manager Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury and introduced in contemporary general manager Monti Ossenfort from the Tennessee Titans and contemporary head coach Jonathan Gannon from the Philadelphia Eagles. Their protection allowed the 2d-most functions per sport for your total league (26.4), and they might well per chance perchance maintain undoubtedly a few of the worst entrance seven’s within the NFL. That’s on high of their defensive chief, security Budda Baker, worrying a alternate within the tournament Arizona would now not construct him the most life like likely-paid at his enviornment. 

Offensively, face of the franchise quarterback Kyler Murray tore his ACL and meniscus within the first season after signing a 5-twelve months, $230.5 million extension in 2022. Due to this of those injuries, it’s unlikely he’s willing to circulate on the open of the 2023 season. That methodology the Cowboys might well perchance well perchance be going thru quickly-to-be 37-twelve months-extinct Colt McCoy or 2023 fifth-spherical opt quarterback Clayton Tune. If that is the case, quiz Parsons, Diggs, Lawrence, and Gilmore to stuff the stat sheet in a Dallas blowout. 

Week 3 prediction: forty five-17, Cowboys 

Week 4: vs Recent England Patriots

Date & Time: Week 4 (AT&T Stadium) – Sunday, Oct. 1, 4:25 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 9-8 (Misplaced in NFC Wild Card Round 41-23 at San Francisco 49ers)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): Cowboys defeated Patriots 35-29 (OT) in Week 6, 2021

The Recent England Patriots wasted a twelve months of 2021 first-spherical opt quarterback Mac Jones‘ pattern in 2022 after saddling him with longtime defensive coach Matt Patricia as his offensive play-caller. Those darkish days are no doubt over in Recent England after head coach Invoice Belichick introduced attend Invoice O’Brien for a 2d stint as the Patriots offensive coordinator after he frolicked away as the Penn Instruct head coach (2012-2013), the Houston Texans head coach (2014-2020), and as the Alabama offensive coordinator (2021-2022). On the opposite hand, there are soundless masses of questions as to what Jones will seem like in Year 3 within the NFL given his up-and-down 2022 and swapping his popular target, huge receiver Jakobi Myers, for JuJu Smith-Schuster. 

Defensively, the Pats can maintain to wing spherical the tip ten in scoring in 2023 like they did in 2022 (20.4 functions per sport allowed, 11th in NFL) thanks to Belichick going protection with the crew’s first three picks within the latest draft: Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez 17th general (arguably the cornerback prospect with the most life like likely ceiling within the 2023 NFL Draft), Georgia Tech edge rusher Keion White Forty sixth general, and Sacramento Instruct linebacker Marte Mapu (76th general). 

Belichick’s protection can maintain to examine Prescott’s resolution-making, however the Cowboys maintain too powerful firepower for Jones to comprehend care of up. Dallas wins by a pair of rankings, a departure from their additional time battle in Recent England two years within the past that created undoubtedly a few of the crucial memorable moments of CeeDee Lamb’s profession: his wave goodbye to Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills after scoring the game-a success, 35-yard rating in additional time. 

Week 4 prediction: 35-17, Cowboys          

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

Date & Time: Week 5 (Levi’s Stadium) – Sunday, Oct. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 13-4 (Misplaced in NFC Championship Sport 31-7 at Philadelphia Eagles)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-2 (every losses maintain come in within the postseason in 2021 and 2022)

Despite the quarterback uncertainty after Brock Purdy’s elbow ruin within the San Francisco 49ers’ season-ending, 31-7 NFC Championship Sport defeat, they soundless boast undoubtedly a few of the NFL’s most total rosters. They might well perchance honest most certainly imprint a random fan the week earlier than a sport and maintain that individual play quarterback effectively sufficient to flee with a accumulate. Having a solid of playmakers like huge receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, tight stay George Kittle, and running backs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell with head coach Kyle Shanahan calling plays enables for whoever their quarterback is to press buttons like they’re taking half in Madden in focus on in self belief to string collectively a success plays with ease. 

Defensively, they now now not most effective return nearly of their starters from the NFL’s high protection of 2022, but they strengthened their defensive contend with house, their most attention-grabbing weakness, in free agency after signing extinct Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave to a four-twelve months, $84 million contract. 

49ers protection in 2022 fashioned season

* 49ers’ simplest since 2011

When Hargrave lined up within the defensive contend with house on the Eagles’ line of defense in 2022, he registered 9.0 sacks (tied for the most within the NFL on the enviornment) and totaled the most life like likely quarterback power percentage (14%) , furthermore the most within the league at that house. San Francisco had abominable manufacturing out of their defensive contend with enviornment when speeding the passer, tying for the fewest sacks (1.0). They furthermore ranked 11th in power price (7%). Hanging Hargrave subsequent to 2022 Defensive Participant of the Year and 49ers defensive stay Reduce Bosa, whose 18.5 sacks led the NFL and whose 90 quarterback pressures co-led the NFL alongside with Micah Parsons, will give opposing quarterbacks nightmares all season prolonged. 

Within the Cowboys’ 2d consecutive playoff loss to the 49ers, undoubtedly a few of the main causes for their defeat became once Prescott forcing too many passes to Lamb since Dallas lacked a viable number two likelihood. With Brandin Cooks now onboard, his presence can maintain to erase the scenario. As prolonged as the Cowboys’ offensive line can delay towards Bosa, Hargrave, and Arik Armstead, Dallas can go Levi’s Stadium with smiles on their faces. 

Week 5 prediction: 23-16, Cowboys  

Week 6: at Los Angeles Chargers

Date & Time: Week 6 (SoFi Stadium) – Monday, Oct. 16, 8:15 p.m ET
2022 narrative: 10-7 (Misplaced AFC Wild Card Round 31-30 at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-0 (Cowboys defeated the Chargers 20-17 in Week 2 of the 2021 season)

It is the Kellen Moore revenge sport! After four years of Moore running the Cowboys offense, three under head coach Mike McCarthy, the pinnacle coach’s desire to name plays again like he did with the Green Bay Packers ended in Moore’s departure. He wasn’t unemployed for prolonged as Chargers head coach Brandon Staley rapid handed Moore the keys to the Chargers offense quickly thereafter. Moore paired with quarterback Justin Herbert, who has the most passing yards (14,089) thru a participant’s first three seasons in NFL historical previous and the 2d-most passing touchdowns (94) thru a participant’s first three seasons in NFL historical previous, will seemingly lead to many more fireworks at SoFi Stadium. 

Los Angeles ranked thirteenth in scoring offense (23.0 functions per sport) in 2022 in spite of getting Herbert, running attend Austin Ekeler — the NFL’s scrimmage touchdowns chief in every of the closing two seasons — and an prominent huge receiver duo of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. That duo has since change into a trio with  2023 first-spherical opt Quentin Johnston (twenty first general) out of TCU now onboard. In Moore’s four seasons (2019-2022) calling plays for the Cowboys, Dallas ranked 2d in scoring offense (27.7 functions per sport) and total offense (391.0 total yards per sport) late most effective the reigning Huge Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs (28.8 functions per sport and 401.5 total yards per sport). Herbert has undoubtedly a few of the NFL’s strongest hands, and his correct arm will take a look at the Cowboys secondary’s depth all sport prolonged. 

If the Chargers enter this sport wholesome alongside their offensive line, a broad IF given their ruin woes the closing couple of seasons, they cling on and inspire inspire at house in undoubtedly a few of the more spirited games of the 2023 fashioned season. 

Week 6 prediction: 38-34, Chargers

Week 8: vs Los Angeles Rams

Date & Time: Week 8 (AT&T Stadium) – Sunday, Oct. 29, 1:00 p.m ET
2022 narrative: 5-12
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): Tied 1-1

The Los Angeles Rams are in a the same house in 2023 that they had been in 2022: high-heavy with stars like huge receiver Cooper Kupp — the 2021 NFL Offensive Participant and Huge Bowl LVI –, defensive lineman Aaron Donald — a 3-time NFL Defensive Participant of the Year — and quarterback Matthew Stafford, whose 52,082 profession passing yards are the 11th-most all-time. What’s varied is they’re now without Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, after flipping him throughout the country to the Miami Dolphins, and 2022 free-agent prize huge receiver Allen Robinson, following their circulate to alternate him to the Pittsburgh Steelers, this offseason. 

With no first-spherical opt all yet again and minimal cap enviornment, the Rams most effective roster enchancment instrument became once the 2023 NFL Draft, starting up in Round 2. They got right here away with two Week 1 starters in rounds two and three respectively: TCU consensus All-American offensive lineman Steve Avila and Tennessee All-SEC out of doorways linebacker Byron Young. As prolonged as Cowboys cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore can restrict Cooper Kupp’s manufacturing, Dallas can maintain to waltz to victory in 2023 like running attend Tony Pollard did on his 57-yard landing bustle of their 22-10 Week 5 victory at SoFi Stadium in 2022.  

Week 8 prediction: 27-13, Cowboys   

Weeks 9 and 14: Philadelphia Eagles

First assembly: Week 9 (Lincoln Monetary Discipline) – Sunday, Nov. 5, 4:25 p.m ET
Second assembly (Christmas Eve): Week 14 (AT&T Stadium) – Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:20 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 14-3 (Misplaced Huge Bowl LVII vs Kansas City Chiefs)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): Cowboys lead 4-2

The Philadelphia Eagles maintain the most total roster in football, prosperous extensive up and down the roster like Scrooge McDuck is with money.

They misplaced Pro Bowl defensive contend with Javon Hargrave to the NFC runner-up San Francisco 49ers on a four-twelve months, $84 million contract, but general manager Howie Roseman maneuvered his intention up one house from the tenth general to ninth general within the 2023 NFL Draft, by sending a 2024 fourth-rounder to the Chicago Bears, to decide on Georgia defensive contend with Jalen Carter, who became once once the draft’s most life like likely-touted prospect earlier than gorgeous points. The leisure of the Eagles’ starters from a unit that led the NFL in sacks (70) maintain otherwise all returned. Philadelphia’s offensive line is equally buttressed with 2022 2d spherical opt Cam Jurgens sliding into the ideal guard house vacated by Isaac Seumalo’s departure to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Since the Eagles soundless have undoubtedly a few of the NFL’s simplest strains on both aspect of the ball, they’re soundless in enviornment to dominate their opposition. MVP runner-up quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ contract scenario being resolved early locks the Eagles right into a enviornment of balance offensively that can maintain to permit their passing sport to continue to construct strides to safe up to their dominant ground sport — now led by alternate acquisition D’Andre Swift and extinct first-spherical running attend Rashaad Penny —  in 2023, Hurts’ third season as a beefy-time starting up quarterback. 

The Cowboys and Eagles split their 2022 season matchups with every crew a success at house with the losing crew the articulate of a attend-up quarterback in every games. Even though Dak Prescott and Hurts are every demonstrate for every sport in this heated opponents subsequent season, quiz a season split all yet again. Every of those groups maintain two of the better rosters for your total league. 

Week 9 prediction: 31-27, Eagles    
Week 14 prediction: 24-20, Cowboys

Week 11: at Carolina Panthers

Date & Time: Week 11 (Bank of The US Stadium) – Sunday, Nov. 19, 1:00 p.m ET
2022 narrative: 7-10 
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-0 (Cowboys defeated the Panthers 36-28 in Week 4 of the 2021 season)

The Carolina Panthers at closing halted their extinct stop-hole carousel on the quarterback enviornment in 2023 by buying and selling up to decide on 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young first general. They did a good job surrounding him with decent offensive talent this offseason with the signings of receivers Adam Thielen and DJ Chark, tight stay Hayden Hurst, and Pro Bowl running attend Miles Sanders. The 2d spherical draft sequence of Ole Leave out wideout Jonathan Mingo became once a good grab as he became once undoubtedly a few of the more athletically talented receivers for your total 2023 NFL Draft.

Defensively, it be powerful of the identical plus the signing of right security Vonn Bell. Carolina is in general a crew on the rise in a pair years, but with Young being build in pattern late extinct quarterback Andy Dalton for now, the Cowboys wouldn’t maintain powerful of an scenario steamrolling them in 2023. 

Week 11 prediction: 31-13, Cowboys  

Weeks 12 and 18: Washington Commanders

First assembly: Week 12  (AT&T Stadium) – Thursday, Nov. 23, 4:30 p.m ET (Thanksgiving)
Second assembly: Week 18 (FedExField) – Sunday, TBD. TBD, Time TBD
2022 narrative: 8-8-1
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): Tied 3-3

The Washington Commanders are a crew at some point soon of which powerful has changed and far has remained the identical. The adjustments are a re-tooled secondary for a crew that had a high ten protection as twelve months within the past (20.2 functions per sport allowed, seventh-simplest in NFL). Washington utilized their first two picks within the 2023 Draft on a pair of cornerbacks: Mississippi Instruct’s Emmanuel Forbes (16th general, six interception return touchdowns are the most in FBS historical previous) and Illinois’ Jartavius Martin (forty seventh general). Those two alongside with holdover Kendall Fuller can maintain to construct the Commanders secondary that allowed 60 passing touchdowns throughout the closing two seasons, tied for the most within the NFL, more intimidating, every time the 2 newbies salvage fully adjusted to existence within the NFL. The additional far from a torn ACL the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and extinct 2d general draft opt defensive stay Fling Young gets, the better he can maintain to play in 2023. Young will seemingly play alongside with his hair on fireplace especially since he’s coming into a contract twelve months after having his fifth-twelve months likelihood declined. 

The Commanders’ offensive aspect of the ball is basically unchanged apart from for the quarterback enviornment, which is able to characteristic 30-twelve months-extinct journeyman Jacoby Brissett, who registered a profession-high 88.9 passer rating with the Browns in 2022, or 2022 fifth-spherical opt Sam Howell. His one profession sport became once Week 18 of closing season towards the Cowboys after they had their playoff seeding already locked in. He conducted effectively sufficient in a 26-6 victory that his protection build on lock, polishing off 11 of his 19 passes for 169 yards with a passing landing, an interception plus a 9-yard speeding rating.  

Their protection is a mighty challenger to practically every offense within the league, but Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Dorrance Armstrong ought to be ready to wreak havoc on whichever quarterback Washington places out onto the sphere with a right cornerback duo of Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore backing them up towards Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin and company. 

Week 12 prediction: 35-14, Cowboys 
Week 18 prediction: 23-13, Cowboys  

Week 13: vs Seattle Seahawks

Date & Time: Week 13 (AT&T Stadium) – Thursday, Nov. 30, 8:15 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 9-8 (Misplaced in NFC Wild Card Round 41-23 at San Francisco 49ers)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): Seahawks defeated Cowboys 38-31 in Week 3, 2020

The 2022 Seattle Seahawks had been like finding a crumpled $20 for your jeans pocket after taking them out of the bathing machine — a satisfying shock.   

After buying and selling Russell Wilson, once their longtime face-of-the-franchise quarterback, to the Denver Broncos in replace for 3 gamers (QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant and DL Shelby Harris) alongside with 5 draft picks (two firsts, two seconds and one fifth), it seemed as if the crew became once punting on the 2022 season. On the opposite hand, with Wilson’s extinct backup, Geno Smith, outplaying Seattle’s most effective Huge Bowl champion quarterback in Year 1 of the divorce, Seattle snuck into the seventh and closing NFC playoff house at 9-8, becoming undoubtedly one of most effective two groups this season to set apart the playoffs and maintain a pair of first-spherical picks, becoming a member of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. 

With Wilson and now-extinct Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett now now not jelling, Smith had an extremely low bar to sure in focus on in self belief to outplay his predecessor closing season. On the opposite hand, he did more than factual outplay him: Smith conducted at a high-10 quarterback level to construct the first Pro Bowl sequence of his 9-twelve months profession at 32 years extinct. Simply an unfathomable consequence today one twelve months within the past. The longtime backup led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8%), pickle the Seahawks’ single-season passing yards narrative (4,282) and ranked within the tip 5 for your total league in every passing touchdowns and passer rating. While first and necessary considered as a stopgap, Smith earned himself a gigantic-money deal: three years for a total of $75 million. 

Geno Smith in 2022 season

* Seahawks’ single-season narrative

Their extremely a success formative years motion became once furthermore a broad motive of their success as Seahawks newbies blended to open 70 games this season, tied for the most by any playoff crew for the explanation that 1970 AFL-NFL merger, tying the 2018 Indianapolis Colts.

Seattle had the rookie chief in starts, snaps conducted, speeding yards, compelled fumbles and interceptions in 2022, which methodology general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll can grab a victory lap as they overview how effectively they cleaned up within the 2022 NFL Draft.

Seahawks’ high six picks in 2022 NFL Draft

*Led or co-led all newbies in 2022

Their 2023 NFL Draft persisted to maintain in a preference of important positions of want up and down the roster with two first-spherical picks after reaching the playoffs. Seattle got right here away with Illinois All-American cornerback Devon Witherspoon fifth general, who allowed the fewest yards/circulate strive allowed (3.0) as the main defender in 2022, minimal 50 targets, and Ohio Instruct huge receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who pickle the college football bowl sport receiving yards narrative with 347 towards Utah within the 2021 Rose Bowl.

The Seahawks spent the leisure of the draft filling out their strains on every offense and protection with the exception of taking UCLA running attend Zach Charbonnet in Round 2 (52nd general), Georgia running attend Kenny McIntosh in Round 7, and security Jerrick Reed in Round 6 (198th general). Seattle is on the total undoubtedly one of 2023’s most improved groups factual as they had been undoubtedly one of 2022’s most improved groups. Their trio at receiver of Pro Bowlers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett plus Smith-Njigba, and their punishing ground sport led by Kenneth Walker might well perchance well give Dallas some wretchedness. With three potent cornerbacks in Witherspoon, Coby Bryant, and Tariq Woolen, the Seahawks can match their personnel effectively with the Cowboys huge receiver crew of 2022 Second-Team All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup. 

If Smith picks up correct the place he left off in 2022, the Cowboys might well perchance well perchance be at possibility of a house upset. 

Week 13 prediction: 24-21, Seahawks   

Week 15: at Buffalo Bills 

Date & Time: Week 15 (Highmark Stadium) – Sunday, Dec. 17, 4:25 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 13-3 (Misplaced in AFC Divisional Round 27-10 vs Cincinnati Bengals)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): 0-0 (first matchup since Thanksgiving 2019 when the Bills won 26-15 in Arlington, Texas)

The Buffalo Bills maintain been undoubtedly a few of the NFL’s most dominant groups throughout the closing three fashioned seasons, leading the league in functions per sport (29.4) and functions allowed per sport (19.4) in that span. On the opposite hand, they maintain come up short within the postseason, losing to the 2 groups to picture the AFC within the Huge Bowl throughout the closing three years: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Quarterback Josh Allen all yet again had a aesthetic season in 2022, rating 2d for your total league to most effective MVP Patrick Mahomes in total yards (5,045) and total touchdowns (42). The scenario became once he furthermore led the league in turnovers with 19, 14 interceptions (tied for the third-most within the NFL) and 5 fumbles misplaced (tied for the 2d-most within the NFL). With Allen becoming erratic as Buffalo asked him to be their number two running attend — his 124 carries and 762 speeding yards had been the 2d-most on the crew while his seven speeding rankings led the Bills — late James Cook dinner, general manager Brandon Beane prioritized making his existence more uncomplicated within the 2023 NFL Draft. Buffalo selected the draft’s high circulate-catching tight stay, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid, twenty fifth general, and undoubtedly a few of the draft’s high offensive guards, Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence 59th general (Round 2), with their first two picks.

Providing Allen with one more weapon within the passing sport plus better blocking up entrance can maintain to minimize his giveaways. Defensively, it be powerful of the identical for 2022’s number two scoring protection (17.9 functions per sport allowed) with the hope that 34-twelve months-extinct All-Pro linebacker Von Miller can leap attend from a torn ACL to give their circulate dash the boost they hoped for after they gave him a six-twelve months, $120 million contract in free agency closing offseason. The Cowboys going thru off towards undoubtedly a few of the NFL’s simplest on the street is known as a tough assignment, and there is no shame in coming a play or two minute while losing on a sport-a success field purpose. 

Week 15 prediction: 27-24, Bills 

Week 16: at Miami Dolphins

Date & Time: Week 16 (Onerous Rock Stadium) – Sunday, Dec. 24, 4:25 p.m ET
2022 narrative: 9-8 (Misplaced in AFC Wild Card Round 34-31 at Buffalo Bills)
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): 0-0 (first matchup since Week 3, 2019 when the Cowboys won 31-6 with Josh Rosen starting up for Miami)

How upsetting the Miami Dolphins are comes all of the draw in which down to 1 easy quiz: Will quarterback Tua Tagovailoa be wholesome? When he did play in head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense within the 2022 fashioned season, the Dolphins averaged 6.5 yards per play, the most life like likely by any starting up quarterback’s offense among passers with a minimal of 10 starts. The crew misplaced three of its four games without Tagovailoa while he became once dealing with concussions. 

Dolphins by starting up QB in 2022 fashioned season

* Most life like by any starting up QB closing season (min. 10 starts)

Tagovailoa has been finding out judo this offseason in focus on in self belief to learn to plunge more safely to lead sure of concussions, nonetheless it be worrying to know at this point how powerful of a distinction the practising will construct for his 17-sport availability. Out of doors of Tagovailoa, the offense is all yet again loaded with the identical speedy solid of characters: 2022 First-Team All-Pro huge receiver Tyreek Hill, huge receiver Jaylen Hasten, huge receiver Cedrick Wilson, running attend Raheem Mostert, and running attend Jeff Wilson Jr. The crew furthermore added the electrical Texas A&M running attend and returner Devon Achane in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft, giving McDaniel masses of alternate solutions to wreak havoc with gamebreakers throughout the sphere.

Defensively, the Dolphins ought to be powerful improved after rating twenty fourth in scoring protection (23.5 functions per sport) in 2022 thanks to the additions of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Fangio’s defenses maintain ranked throughout the tip 10 in scoring in four of his closing 5 seasons calling defensive plays. As for Ramsey, in spite of the Rams’ struggles in 2022, it wasn’t thanks to him. He became once Pro Soccer Center of attention’ third-most life like likely graded cornerback closing season with a grade of 86.4, trailing most effective 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Year of the Year and Recent York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (87.9) as effectively as Denver Broncos 2022 First-Team All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II (86.8). Pairing him with Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard and their promising, 23-twelve months-extinct security Jevon Holland gives Miami undoubtedly a few of the ideal defensive backfields for your total NFL.

With a powerful improved protection and a wholesome Tagovailoa, Miami can give Dallas relatively a fight. Within the stay, the Cowboys’ protection gets the game-sealing stop with contemporary defensive stay Micah Parsons forcing Tagovailoa right into a base throw that Dallas’ improved secondary without issues swats away. 

Week 16 prediction: 31-28, Cowboys        

Week 17: vs Detroit Lions

Date & Time: Week 17 (AT&T Stadium) – Saturday, Dec. 30, 8:15 p.m. ET
2022 narrative: 9-8
Sequence Checklist Since 2020 (when Cowboys employed head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-0 (Cowboys defeated the Lions 24-6 in Week 7 of the 2022 season)

The Detroit Lions are the 2023 offseason’s  “it” crew. They are at demonstrate the odds-on popular to accumulate the NFC North (+145) and their +2500 odds to accumulate the Huge Bowl are their 2d-shortest preseason odds within the closing 25 years. The NFL even incorporated them within the 2023 season opener towards the defending Huge Bowl Champion Chiefs! Detroit won eight of their closing 10 games in 2022, which incorporated doing away with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers from playoff opponents within the closing sport of the fashioned season on “Sunday Night Soccer.” Quarterback Jared Goff’s resurgence helped energy a high-5 scoring offense (26.6 functions per sport, fifth-simplest in NFL) as he led your total league in landing to interception ratio, 29 touchdowns to most effective seven interceptions. Goff closed out the season on fireplace, throwing 15 touchdowns and no interceptions within the Lions’ closing 9 games. His 324 consecutive passes without an interception mark the longest such inch in franchise historical previous. 

Jared Goff’s Lions profession

Goff’s connection with 2021 fourth-spherical opt huge receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown shined lustrous as he broke out with 106 receptions, 1,161 receiving yards, and 6 receiving touchdowns, which ended in the first Pro Bowl sequence of his profession. Per The Athletic’s Nate Tice, St. Brown led the NFL with an 18% success price per target given the total quantity of routes bustle, which methodology the 2d-twelve months wideout made the most of the potentialities he acquired from Goff given all of the potentialities he might well perchance maintain acquired. 

Their offseason moves maintain most effective added to the hype articulate. Detroit rapid addressed their secondary, which surrendered the third-most passing yards per sport (245.8) within the league, thru free agency — signing cornerbacks Cameron Sutton (three years, $33 million), Emmanuel Moseley (one twelve months, $6 million) and security C.J. Gardner-Johnson (one-twelve months, $6.5 million, co-led NFL with six interceptions) — and the draft — selecting the 2023 NFL Draft’s high security,  Alabama’s Brian Branch, within the 2d spherical, forty fifth general. Overall manager Brad Holmes furthermore bolstered Goff’s weapons, including Iowa tight stay Sam LaPorta with the thirty fourth general opt within the draft and bringing attend huge receiver Marvin Jones, whose 36 receiving touchdowns with Detroit are the third-most in crew historical previous late Corridor of Famer Calvin Johnson (83) and Herman Moore (62). The draft’s first inner linebacker selected, Iowa’s Jack Campbell at 18th general, is the form of participant head coach Dan Campbell needs about anchoring the center of his protection. The sequence of Alabama running attend Jahmyr Gibbs, 12th general, might well perchance well give their offense the all-purpose juice they didn’t salvage sufficient of from the now-traded D’Andre Swift. 

While the Lions maintain a giant likelihood to alter into the NFC’s contemporary kings within the north, their overhauled secondary might well perchance well honest now now not salvage sufficient stops towards quarterback Dak Prescott and his huge receiver trio of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup. 

Week 17 prediction: 27-20, Cowboys    

Pause of season totals

A third consecutive 12-5 season feels correct for an upgraded Cowboys roster that filled their most attention-grabbing needs in a trim, price-effective intention this offseason. Every of their 5 projected losses is on the total shut, so there is a likelihood 13-4 is within the cards. Having to face Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert of their AFC slate is a tough map, but Dallas is poised to bustle roughshod thru undoubtedly a few of the more watered down NFC lineups in contemporary memory. 

All that’s left is to wait unless their Week 1 season opener towards the Giants. It is most effective 122 days away, but who’s counting? 

• Cowboys 2023 narrative: 12-5
• Convention narrative: 10-2
• Non-convention narrative: 2-3
• Division narrative: 5-1
• Dwelling narrative: 6-2
• Away narrative: 6-3