The wait is over, the full 2024 NFL schedule has been released and the Dallas Cowboys opponents have been set. They have six primetime games and a schedule that will test them right from the jump. They will start the year with an ultimate test, as they head to the Dawg Pound to take on the Cleveland Browns on September 8 at 4:25 p.m. Week one will be a challenge but could set the tone for the remaining 16 games. Here’s a look at the Cowboys 2024 schedule.
Outlook of the Cowboys 2024 Schedule
Back-To-Back
The Cowboys were NFC East champions last season and will aim for a two-peat with another division championship in their line of sight. They’ll meet the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10 and again in Week 17. Both of their matchups against the New York Giants will fall on a Thursday. The first will be a TNF matchup on September 26th and then again on Thanksgiving. To wrap up on division play, they’ll meet their former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, and the Washington Commanders in Week 12 and Week 18 to wrap up the season. It is expected the division will be between the Cowboys and Eagles to win it but nothing in this league is guaranteed.
The Dirty South
The Cowboys will take on the NFC South division which contains the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints. Their home opener will come in Week 2 against the Saints. They’ll travel to Atlanta to take on Kirk Cousins and the Falcons in Week 9. The last two matchups against the division will come in Week 14 at Carolina and against the Buccaneers the following week at home. The Cowboys have an overall record of 64-35 against the NFC South they’ll look to continue their success with a clean sweep.
The AFC North
This division contains three of the toughest defenses in the NFL, these games could be low-scoring but fun. They’ll meet two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. The Cowboys refused to call Derrick Henry while he was a free agent, then he signed with the Ravens. He will be looking to make them regret that decision. They’ll travel to the Steel City for a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their last matchup against the division will come in Week 14 against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Battle of Texas
The Texas Governor’s Cup or “Battle for Texas” will be one of the most highly anticipated games of the season and full of exciting storylines. C.J. Stroud vs. Dak Prescott, Stefon Diggs vs. Trevon Diggs, which didn’t happen last season due to injury, but now the All-Pro brothers will go at it and bragging rights on the line for both the brothers and the teams. The last time these two met, it took a 98-yard game-winning drive from Prescott for the Cowboys to defeat the 1-10-1 Houston Texans. The Texans were a huge surprise last season and have become one of the most intriguing teams to watch. All eyes will be on this Week 11 Monday Night Football matchup. Luckily for both teams, the state is big enough for both of them but only one can come out victorious.
NFC Powerhouses
Weeks 6 and 8 will be rough for the Cowboys as they face the two NFC frontrunners. They will report eligible for the Week 6 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Their matchup last season came down to a controversial two-point conversion call which was the determining factor in a one-point Cowboys victory. The Cowboys have won six consecutive games against the Lions which has tied their longest win streak since 1963-1977 when they won six in a row.
After a Week 7 bye, they will face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football. They will meet for a fifth consecutive year and the Niners have won three in a row. All three wins have been absolute gut punches. Two of those wins were in the playoffs which ended the Cowboys and last year’s matchup was a devastating 42-10 loss. The Cowboys have a losing record against two NFC teams and the 49ers are one of them. This could be a potential one of two matchups as they may meet again in the playoffs.
2024 Outlook
The Cowboys have the 12th hardest schedule in football. Eight of their opponents were playoff teams last season while seven of their first 10 games will come against playoff teams. Teams like Atlanta and Cincinnati have improved through free agency and the draft. Luckily for the Cowboys, six of those big games will come at home, where they’ve played their best the last two seasons. The over/under is 10.5 wins for the Cowboys and they’ve won 12 each of the last three seasons.
Here are the floor, ceiling, and actual predictions for how the season could end up.
Ceiling: 13-4
Floor: 6-11
Actual Prediction: 11-6
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
