The start of the NFL season is right around the corner so it is time to project the Dallas Cowboys 2021 record. The Boys in Blue kick off the season against the defending champions in Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to start the season off on a positive note. Tom Brady and Bruce Arians will be highly motivated to perform well on trophy presentation night. The Cowboys have several other difficult games on what is ranked the second-easiest schedule in the NFL. Here is a look at what the Dallas Cowboys 2021 record might be.
Dallas Cowboys 2021 Record Projection
Slow Start
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 1 will be a tough test for Dak Prescott and company. The Cowboys will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the defending Super Bowl champions. At the end of last season, Tom Brady and the Bucs were firing on all cylinders offensively.
Dallas had a good draft and added a plethora of defensive players to help their struggling defense. However, these players will likely not be ready to contribute in the first game of the season. Dallas is returning a healthy offensive line but does not have near the talent or depth they have boasted in recent years. With the Cowboys defensive struggles and the Buccaneers stout defensive line, Dallas’ first game is a poor mismatch.
Prediction: Loss 45-31
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Week 2: Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 2 will be a tough follow up after visiting the Buccaneers. The Los Angeles Chargers are an up-and-coming team lead by their electric quarterback Justin Herbert, who is entering his second season in the NFL. The Chargers are also returning their superstar running back Austin Ekeler. Joey Bosa leads the defensive side of the ball and could wreak havoc on the Cowboys offensive line and backfield.
Prediction: Loss 38-35
Potential Hot Streak
The Cowboys have an opportunity to separate themselves from the NFL and the rest of the NFC East. In Weeks 3-10 Dallas plays the Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and Atlanta Falcons, with a bye week in Week 7. None of those teams made the playoffs last season. This stretch is likely the reason the Cowboys have the second easiest ranked schedule in the NFL. Dallas should be favored on paper in each of these games. At the end of this stretch, the Cowboys should be 7-2.
Key Games Down the Stretch
Week 11: Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs
After that nice stretch, Dallas will head to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 11 to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s no secret the Chiefs are one of the best teams in the NFL. This game should be a shootout with plenty of points scored. The Chiefs have an adequate defense with some solid pass rushers. Tyrann Mathieu leads the secondary and will look to shut down Amari Cooper and company.
Prediction: Loss 42-38
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Week 12: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys
In Week 12 Dallas will take on another non-playoff team in the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders will be hoping to finish the season on a solid note and assume a share of the AFC West from the Chiefs and the Chargers. Dallas needs to capitalize on this opportunity to get a win in between tough weeks in Weeks 11 and 13.
Prediction: Win 35-21
Week 13: New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys
The New Orleans Saints have been a tough matchup for the Cowboys for a long time. Cameron Jordan leads the Saints defensive front which is one of the best units in the NFL. The Saints defensive line boasts a lot of talent capable of rivaling the strength of the Cowboys offensive line. Ezekiel Elliott will no doubt meet resistance in the hole against New Orleans. With the running game struggling, the Cowboys will lean on Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, and CeeDee Lamb.
The Saints have struggled to push the ball vertically the last several seasons as Drew Brees approached retirement. With presumably Jameis Winston at the helm, the Saints and Michael Thomas should push the ball much more efficiently. Thomas and Winston should have a great year and reestablish New Orleans as an elite offense.
Michael Thomas sees Jameis Winston putting in that work to be QB1 pic.twitter.com/CGeBSX2JGz
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 24, 2021
Prediction: Loss 28-24
Weeks 14 and 16
Dallas will visit the Washington Football Team and then play division rival Washington on the road in Week 14 and then at home in Week 16. Dallas has had a reputation of playing better on the road the last few seasons. But with a revamped offense and impressive defense, the Washington Football Team will be the team to challenge the Cowboys for the the division this season.
Prediction: Split in Weeks 14 and 16
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 17 will be a tough matchup late in the season. The Arizona Cardinals are one of the up-and-coming teams thanks to the electric play from Kyler Murray. J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins add even more firepower to an already loaded team. This will be a tough test for Dallas in Week 17 before heading into their final divisional game against the Eagles in Week 18.
Prediction: Loss 31-28
Cleat Check ☑️ pic.twitter.com/ym7e36OC9z
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 9, 2021
Final Record Prediction
Dallas should have a good season and finish well above .500 with an 11-6 record and secure the division title. Last season the Cowboys were in contention to win the NFC East with Prescott in a walking boot on the sidelines. Adding the prolific passer back, as well as reaffirming the offensive line, should spell success for the Cowboys in the NFC East.
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