Cowboys 2024 schedule with game-by-game predictions: Dallas' path to fourth consecutive playoff trip

The Dallas Cowboys are seeking redemption in the 2024 NFL season. But the problem is they won't find it in the regular season as they need to prove it in the playoffs after three consecutive 12-win years. 

However, to get there, they still need to win those regular games.

That's why we're taking way-too-early guesses at the outcome of each of the Cowboys games in 2024. Buckle up. 

Week 1: at Cleveland Browns (4:25 p.m. ET)

Nothing like some early season drama. I’ve got the Cowboys losing to the Browns in the season opener mostly due to one man: Myles Garrett. He’ll get Tyler Guyton in his first NFL start. Boasting one of the best O-lines in the game, I expect the Browns offense to help the elite defense secure the win.

Prediction: L (0-1)

Week 2: vs New Orleans Saints (1:00 pm ET)

The Saints have legit concerns on both the offensive and defensive line and will likely be overpowered by a Cowboys team seeking to avoid an 0-2 start.

Prediction: W (1-1)

Week 3: vs Baltimore Ravens (4:25 pm ET)

It’s a battle between the MVP and the runner-up MVP at AT&T Stadium. The Ravens’ rushing offense might not be the same as before due to an average O-line but I’ll take the visiting team on this one mostly because of the continuity edge. It’ll be fun to see Mike Zimmer’s gameplan on this one.

Prediction: L (1-2)

Week 4: at New York Giants (8:20 p.m.)

The Giants beat Dak Prescott twice when he was a rookie back in 2016. Since then, they’re 13-1 against Dallas. With so many quarterback questions entering 2024, I don’t see that changing this year. Give me the Cowboys 2-0 this season.

Prediction: W (2-2)

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 pm ET)

No matter the quarterback situation, it’s never fun to play in Pittsburgh. This will be one of the games where everyone will be calling Mike Tomlin to pull off the upset when the time comes. But I have the Cowboys coming away with the win in dramatic fashion like back in 2016 when Ezekiel Elliott iced the game with a game-winning touchdown.

Prediction: W (3-2)

Week 6: vs Detroit Lions (4:25 pm ET) 

First of all, I wish whoever wins doesn’t need to deal with a week’s worth of drama over an inelegible receiver penalty flag. That being said, I’ll call this one for the Lions as they continue to get better with that physical OL that should give the Cowboys trouble in the trenches.

Prediction: L (3-3)

Week 7: BYE WEEK

Week 8: at San Francisco 49ers (8:20 pm ET)

Until proven the outcome can be different, I’m not picking the Cowboys over the 49ers again. The Cowboys have not been up to the task and that likely ties back to the 49ers’ superior physicality, specially in the running game. Even with an average OL, San Fran is usually able to push Dallas around.

Prediction: L (3-4)

Week 9: at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 pm ET)

This could be a trap game alright. The Falcons have a legit QB in Kirk Cousins and by Week X, he should be locked in and ready to go. Atlanta has the most underrated O-line in the NFL and could give the Cowboys some trouble by running a Shanahan-McVay style offense with Bijan Robinson leading the way. I’ll take the Falcons upset and the Cowboys going on an 0-3 run.

Prediction: L (3-5)

Week 10: vs Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 pm ET)

I don’t have to explain how much of an even showdown this will be, but the big storyline here will be how the Cowboys fare against the Eagles’ rushing offense. I see the Cowboys beating the Eagles in Dallas and viceversa.

Prediction: W (4-5)

Week 11: vs Houston Texans (8:15 pm ET)

This is one that I could absolutely see the Texans taking with the way C.J. Stroud finished the season last year. He’s truly a Top 10 QB on the rise. But the reason I’ll take the Cowboys is the Texans had an inconsistent running game (26th in rush EPA/play) and they likely won’t be able to pick apart the defense’s biggest weakness.

Prediction: W (5-5)

Week 12: at Washington Commanders (1:00 pm ET)

It should be a closer game at home and I could see the Commanders pulling off a stunning win over the Cowboys. But Washington still has so many question marks in the trenches on both offense and defense and a team with premium team like Dallas should secure the win.

Prediction: W (6-5)

Week 13: vs New York Giants (4:30 pm ET)

See Week 4.

Prediction: W (7-5)

Week 14: vs Cincinnati Bengals (8:15 pm ET)

This feels like a coin toss to me: The Bengals have a top-tier QB in Joe Burrow but they’re far from being a perfect team. Cincinnati’s defensive backfield was a huge problem last year so I’ll take Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb at home but the Bengals did rebuild their secondary by signing Von Bell and Geno Stone at safety.

Prediction: W (8-5)

Week 15: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 pm ET)

Last year, the Cowboys defense was too much to handle for the Panthers. I really hope Bryce Young takes that second-year leap but his supporting cast remains a question mark. Give me Dallas against the team projected to win 4-5 games in the betting world.

Prediction: W (9-5)

Week 16: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:20 pm ET)

The Bucs won more games that I thought they would last year and they did a good job retaining players including Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. But they shouldn’t beat the Cowboys at home even though they really improved their OL by taking Graham Barton in the first round.

Prediction: W (10-5)

Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 pm ET)

See Week 10.

Prediction: L (10-6)

Week 18: at Washington Commanders (TBD)

It should be a closer game at home and I could see the Commanders pulling off a stunning win over the Cowboys. But Washington still has so many question marks in the trenches on both offense and defense and a team with premium team like Dallas should secure the win.

Prediction: W (11-6)

Overall record: 11-6