The Dallas Cowboys’ schedule is set, and the team looks to come back after their disappointing first-round playoff elimination last year. “America’s Team” finished with a 12-5 record to win the NFC East.
Last year, their offense produced the highest-total yards in the NFL, and their defense led the league in turnovers. Both sides of the ball played phenomenally, but it was not enough to make it to the Super Bowl.
It has been 26 years since the Dallas Cowboys brought the Lombardi Trophy back home to Arlington. According to PFF, the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2022 campaign with the 10th-hardest schedule in the league. Let’s dive into this year’s schedule and their incoming matchups.
.@_CeeDeeThree and @michael13gallup can make some of the toughest grabs. 😤
The @dallascowboys have a top __ WR duo in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/WwRR2o9ptn
— NFL (@NFL) July 14, 2022
Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Game Time:
Sunday, 9/11 at 8:20 p.m. ET. Sunday Night Football on NBC
2021-22 Record:
13-4, NFC South Champs. Lost in Divisional Round vs Rams
Preview:
Both teams will square off in Week One for the second year in a row. Last season, Tampa won the game in a nailbiter 31-29, but Dallas’ performance gave the defending champions (at the time) a tough battle.
Dak Prescott played perhaps his best game of the season, completing 42 of his 58 passes for 403 yards. He added three touchdowns and one interception. Receivers Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb compiled over 100 yards. Cooper had 2 TDs, and CeeDee caught one TD.
After a whopping 40-day retirement, Tom Brady will return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the starting QB. The seven-time Super Bowl champion had an MVP-caliber year in 2021, leading the league in completions, yards, touchdowns, and more.
The Buccaneers lost starting tight end Rob Gronkowski to retirement and head coach Bruce Arians, who moved to the front office. Former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will take over head coaching duties and look to bring Brady to his 11th Super Bowl.
The Bucs have almost their entire roster from last year returning. They added Akiem Hicks to give their defense a boost.
Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Game Time:
Sunday, September 18 at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
2021-22 NFL Record:
10-7, AFC North Champs, AFC Champs. Lost in Super Bowl vs Rams
Preview:
The Dallas Cowboys have two challenging opponents to begin their season. After they compete against the 2020-21 SB champions, they take on the defending AFC champs.
The Bengals improved their weak offensive line, signing former Dallas Cowboy La’el Collins. The defense blended well together over the course of last year and will be more well-rounded this upcoming campaign.
Dallas’ DBs will need to stop receiving threats Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins right out of the gate. If Cincy grabs an early lead, the Cowboys cannot afford to play catchup with a young offense that catches fire quickly.
Week 3: @ New York Giants
Game time:
Monday, 9/26 at 8:15 p.m. ET. Monday Night Football on ABC/ESPN
2021-22 Record:
4-13, 4th in NFC East. Missed the playoffs.
Preview:
By far, this is the easiest divisional opponent for the Dallas Cowboys. Daniel Jones has been a full-on bust, and Saquon Barkley has not been the same since his tearing his ACL in 2020. The Giants lost James Bradberry in the offseason, a key component of their defense.
Is there any good news for the Giants? They replaced former head coach Joe Judge with Brian Daboll, who worked closely with star QB Josh Allen in Buffalo. Joe Schoen takes over the general manager duties after firing Dave Gettleman. The humiliating Gettleman era is now over.
The Giants had solid draft picks, most notably in the first round with OT Evan Neal and edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, to hopefully begin a new chapter in their rebuild.
The Cowboys will have an extra day of rest to prepare for their Monday night game and should walk away with a victory.
Week 4: vs. Washington Commanders
Game Time:
Sunday, 10/2 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
2021-22 Record:
7-10, 3rd in NFC East. Missed the playoffs.
Preview:
The Cowboys will face a familiar face in their two matchups against Washington. Carson Wentz, once an Eagle, returns to the NFC East, suiting up for the Commanders.
The acquisition of Wentz is an upgrade from Taylor Heinicke, who took over after Ryan Fitzpatrick’s season-ending hip injury. However, Wentz has never been able to deconstruct Dallas, and the Cowboys have defenders that will make Wentz pay for his mistakes.
Dallas needs to consistently apply pressure on Carson Wentz and make him panic. If star receiver Terry McLaurin gets no opportunities to receive the ball, Dallas should walk away with an easy win.
Week 5: @ Los Angeles Rams
Game Time:
Sunday, 10/9 at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
2021-22 Record:
12-5, NFC West champs. Super Bowl champs.
Preview:
After back-to-back divisional games, Dallas faces the defending champions. This contest early in the season will be a major test for the Cowboys. Will Dallas be able to take the big leap forward?
After an early wake-up call facing the Bucs and Bengals in the first week, the Cowboys now have the challenge to defeat the Rams… on the road.
Cooper Kupp showed the world last season that he is unstoppable. Aaron Donald is debatably the best defensive player in this generation. The only player that can cost the Rams a loss is Matthew Stafford. Dallas in the past has defeated 34-year-old QB but never seen him in a Rams uniform with the weapons he has now.
Week 6: @Philadelphia Eagles
Game Time:
Sunday, 10/16 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
2021-22 Record:
9-8, 2nd in NFC East. Lost Wild Card round vs. Tampa Bay
Preview:
The Eagles will be Dallas’ biggest threat to winning the division title. Although the Cowboys defeated Philly 41-21 and 51-26 last season, the Eagles added some big names to their roster.
Haason Reddick will add extra pressure to Dallas’ newly-pieced offensive line, and James Bradberry will form a solid backfield duo with Darius Slay. On draft night, Philly acquired star wide receiver, AJ Brown, giving Jalen Hurts an additional weapon on offense.
It will be difficult for Dallas to repeat an easy sweep with the improvements on the Eagles’ roster. Philly will take the first matchup, and the Cowboys will strike back when they return home in Week 16.
Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions
Game Time:
Sunday, 10/23 at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
2021-22 Record:
3-13-1, 4th in NFC North. Missed playoffs
Preview:
Yes, it is the Detroit Lions, and this is a game that the Cowboys should win. Detroit pulled off a stunning victory against the Arizona Cardinals last year, and the team has improved going into the 2022 campaign. The Lions had a big night on Draft day, selecting Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams. Both have the potential to be impact players on the roster.
Jared Goff is not the 4,000-yard passer he was with the Rams. He does not have the same weapons he had in LA. However, Dan Campbell improved the atmosphere around the organization. The team looked more energetic and fought from start to finish in the majority of their games.
Campbell will have his players prepared and ready to compete against Dallas. If the Cowboys have a losing streak going into this game, do not be surprised if the Lions put up a fight.
Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears
Game Time:
Sunday, 10/30 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
2021-22 Record:
6-11, 3rd in NFC North. Missed playoffs.
Preview:
The Bears have a new head coach. Former Cowboys linebacker coach and defensive coordinator for the Colts, Matt Eberflus takes over Chicago. He built Indianapolis’ defense into a powerhouse in the NFL and has a few studs to work with moving forward. Players like Eddie Jackson, Robert Quinn, and Roquan Smith can give Dak Prescott some trouble during the matchup.
The big question is: how will a tough, defensive-minded leader get along with a young, raw-talented QB in Justin Fields? The former Ohio State Buckeye lost his No. 1 receiver in Allen Robinson, so Chicago needs to outline a new gameplan with the football.
If Dallas gets off to a hot start, there should be no threat of blowing the lead. Attack early, get on the board first, and build momentum to secure the win.
Week 9: Bye Week
Check out Part 2 for the Dallas Cowboys’ second-half season preview!