With training camp underway and the preseason fast approaching, Last Word on Pro Football is analyzing the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. Each teams schedule will be split into most difficult (1-8) and easiest (9-16) games. Let’s continue the series by taking a look at the easiest games on the Dallas Cowboys schedule.
Dallas Cowboys Most Difficult Games
Easiest Games on the Dallas Cowboys Schedule
9. Week 6 At Jets
On paper, the 2019’s version of the New York Jets is the best iteration of the team since 2010. The defense is full of young playmakers like Jamal Adams and Quinnen Williams, while the addition of C.J. Mosley gives them a Pro Bowl-caliber player at each level of the defense. Offensively, Robby Anderson looks poised to break out while Le’Veon Bell aims to show the world that running backs deserve to be paid.
The Jets still have some holes on their roster, but quarterback Sam Darnold has the potential to mask the offensive line and cornerback problems. Darnold struggled early in his rookie year but seemed to find something in the closing weeks of the season. If he can develop into a true franchise quarterback, this game could move up on the list.
10. Week 13 Vs Bills
Just like the Jets, the Buffalo Bills are another young team with a talented defense and an interesting cast on offense. The defense should be one of the best in the league, as Tre’Davious White is one of the best up-and-coming corners in the league. Jerry Hughes can still get to the quarterback, and Ed Oliver should make an immediate impact from Day One. Offensively, the team added John Brown and old friend Cole Beasley to bolster Josh Allen’s chances of success.
Josh Allen is the key to all this. The rocket-armed quarterback is anything but a given to succeed, but he showed flashes where his freak athleticism made him an effective NFL quarterback. He’ll never be an accurate thrower, but if Buffalo can capitalize on his ridiculous talent, then he could be Buffalo’s long-awaited franchise quarterback. However, that is a big “if”.
11. Week 11 At Lions
Matthew Stafford reportedly played most of the 2018 season with an injured back, so he should return to his old form in 2019. However, this team will still struggle to reach .500. Detroit wants to be a run-first team, which is a strange choice when your offensive line isn’t that great and when passing has never been more effective. The defense is solid, but not good enough to play the style of football that Matt Patricia wants to play. The Cowboys should win this one by a comfortable margin.
12. Week 2 At Redskins
The Cowboys are in the unfortunate situation where they have to share a division with a top-five unit in the Philadelphia Eagles. Fortunately, they also get to play two of the worst teams in football a grand total of four times. The Washington Redskins are going to be bad in 2019, and nobody disputes that fact. Alex Smith is gone, leaving either Case Keenum or rookie Dwayne Haskins under center. Keenum is a career journeyman while Haskins will only be two weeks into his NFL career and probably won’t be ready for the spotlight. The defense has a few interesting pieces, but this is a flawed roster that should win more than five or six games. Dallas should steamroll Washington in this September matchup.
13. Week 17 Vs Redskins
See above. This matchup is slightly easier since the Cowboys will host the final regular-season game of the season. Dwayne Haskins will almost certainly be under center by this point, but that shouldn’t dramatically swing the odds of victory. If the Cowboys need a Week 17 win to ensure playoff seeding, then they should feel good about their chances.
14. Week 9 At Giants
2019 is going to be rough for the New York Giants. Dave Gettleman traded away Odell Beckham, leaving New York with no real passing weapons, no defense, an average offensive line, and huge questions at quarterback. Travel to the Meadowlands won’t be fun, and there is a chance Daniel Jones will be under center come Week Nine. Jones carries the promise of the unknown, and it’s hard for him to be worse than a late-career Eli Manning. Still, the Cowboys should win this one.
15. Week 3 Vs Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have as good a shot as anyone of getting the first-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The offensive line might be the league’s worst, nobody can get to the quarterback, the linebackers are terrible, and nobody knows who the quarterback is. While there is a chance Ryan Fitzpatrick has his annual 400-yard, three-touchdown game against the Cowboys, this should be an easy victory.
16. Week 1 Vs Giants
The Cowboys should start off their season with an easy win. As previously mentioned, the Giants aren’t going to be good in 2019, and they’ll be at their weakest at the start of the season. Sterling Shepard suffered a thumb injury and might not be ready for the start of the season, while Golden Tate is suspended for the start of the year. Eli Manning will definitely be the quarterback, and he’ll have nobody to throw to. It’s hard to envision any scenario where the Cowboys don’t start off their season with a victory.
Dallas Cowboys Most Difficult Games
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