The Dallas Cowboys finished 2012 with an 8-8 SU record, but have a disappointing 6-10 ATS record.
This year, they will play through a fairly easy schedule in the 2013 NFL regular season. However, they are playing in a tough—and improving—NFC East division, with rivals New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins also gunning for the division title and a playoff berth.
We asked two expert analysts to look through the 17-week Dallas Cowboys schedule and include their analysis and their predictions on each game.
Dallas Cowboys 2013 Regular Season Predictions:
WEEK
OPPONENT
ANALYST A
ANALYST B
1
vs Giants Odds: Giants (+3) at Cowboys
Dallas has lost four consecutive one-score games at home to the Giants. All came in rather heart-breaking fashion in high-scoring matchups. I have no doubt this will be another close, high-scoring and extremely entertaining matchup, but the Cowboys have improved with Dez Bryant and Miles Austin since these teams last met. The odds favor them finally notching a home victory over their division rival.Cowboys 38, Giants 37 (1-0)
They’ve been on the funk against New York at AT&T Stadium. Until they get it out, I can’t pick them … so expect Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks to have big days and make it five in a row. Cowboys Stadium naming rights will go to Manning after this game. Giants 35, Cowboys 21 (0-1)
2
at Chiefs
This could be a real dangerous game for the Cowboys. On the road at Arrowhead against a team that is far more talented than its 2012 record would have you believe. They’ll have new QB Alex Smith and number-one overall pick Eric Fisher. They also have a head coach who knows the Cowboys very well from coaching the Eagles. I give the Chiefs this game. Chiefs 20, Cowboys 17 (1-1)
The last time the Cowboys visited here, Miles Austin had 250 receiving yards. He won’t do it again as Andy Reid knows these Cowboys. Well … Reid might know them, but he can’t beat them. Cowboys 31, Chiefs 17 (1-1)
3
vs Rams
They will be buoyed by the fact that they return home to face another team that should spell victory. Jeff Fisher is slowly building a decent team. He knows how to get the best out of his players, and the defense will play hard. Even though St. Louis has won its last four road games, look for Dallas to protect home field and to knock the Rams out of Arlington. Cowboys 28, Rams 7 (2-1)
Don’t count on DeMarco Murray rushing for 253 yards like the last time the Cowboys faced the Rams. But he’ll be good for the first half and that should be enough.Cowboys 17, Rams 10 (2-1)
4
at Chargers
It doesn’t appear as though San Diego got any better in free agency, so while a new regime could reinvigorate the franchise, the Chargers will be an inconsistent and unreliable team in 2013. Rivers, who posted a mediocre passer rating in 2012, will have the kind of turnover-marred day that would get him ripped if he played for the NFL’s highest profile team. Cowboys 30, Chargers 10 (3-1)
For nearly a decade, Jason Witten and Antonio Gates have been two of the best tight ends in football. Both players will have big days, but Mike McCoy, who helped navigate Tim Tebow to the playoffs in 2011 and oversaw Peyton Manning last year in Denver, will do a terrific job in turning around Philip Rivers, who had become a turnover machine. Chargers 28, Cowboys 17 (2-2)
5
vs Broncos
I think Dallas sticks around with the Broncos, but Denver’s clearly still the better team here. Broncos 26, Cowboys 23 (3-2)
The Cowboys were inconsistent in their first four games, and that will doom them matching up against the Super-Bowl-favorite Broncos. Denver will crush and run the Cowboys in Dallas. Broncos 35, Cowboys 10 (2-3)
6
vs Redskins
No easy games in the NFC East this year. It’ll be interesting to see how Monte Kiffin’s defense defends Robert Griffin III. I’m going with my gut on this one. I think the Cowboys get some revenge for that season finale, with the defense coming to play. Cowboys 24, Redskins 23 (4-2)
RG3 had four touchdown passes in the second quarter last year in Arlington. That’ll get cut in half this year, with DeMarcus Ware being the key as the Cowboys’ top pass-rusher. As a result, the Cowboys win behind Tony Romo, who will console RG3 after the game and say he’s still a great quarterback. Cowboys 34, Redskins 26 (3-3)
7
at Eagles
The Eagles will be a much different team this year, with head coach Chip Kelly and RB LeSean McCoy, whom the Cowboys did not need in the 2009 draft because they were so loaded at the position. I think he will go off for 150 rushing yards and will push for the win.Eagles 31, Cowboys 23 (4-3)
They are not afraid of the crowd at The Linc. Dez Bryant will punctuate his two TD catches. But the difference maker will be DeMarco Murray rushing for more than 100 yards in a close victory. Cowboys 20, Eagles 17 (4-3)
8
at Lions
I think the duo of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne will be good enough to hold Lions’ WR Calvin Johnson in check. I’m still not convinced the Lions are as good as they were in 2011 or as bad as they were in 2012, but that still probably leave them behind the Cowboys. Cowboys 27, Lions 23 (5-3)
Approaching halfway and at 4-3, this is the time when teams move into contention, sorting out the men from the boys. This is the time when the Cowboys defense led by Monte Kiffin’s new schemes will come into its own as they have to clamp down on Stafford-Johnson. Playing against what could be a raucous crowd in the Motor City, they will escape with a victory thanks to having more depth than the Lions. Cowboys 38, Lions 34 (5-3)
9
vs Vikings
Adrian Peterson (from Palestine) will be ready for this Texas homecoming, and he’ll shine so much that Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder will throw fewer than 20 passes in the win. There’s little the new defense can do to slow down Peterson here. Vikings 23, Cowboys 10 (5-4)
Is Tony Romo overpaid? Ask the Vikings, who would have surely loved to give him a nine-digit deal to complement $100 million tailback Adrian Peterson. Cowboys 31, Vikings 27 (6-3)
10
at Saints
Every trip to the Superdome against the Saints is always track meet, so expect an entertaining high scoring game. Dallas might lose this one, especially after 10 weeks without a break. Saints 35, Cowboys 28 (5-5)
Dez Bryant will dominate the Saints’ secondary again, but a couple of red-zone sputters will come back to haunt the Cowboys. Watch for TE Jimmy Graham to feast on Dallas’ young safeties. Saints 28, Cowboys 27 (6-4)
11
BYE WEEK
12
at Giants
Even after a week off to lick their wounds the Cowboys get no respite. The Giants remain in contention in the East and will want to split the series and strengthen their position as the race for the playoffs starts to heat up. I think the Cowboys are going to make it three wins in New York in a four-year span. Cowboys 27, Giants 21 (6-5)
The lights will go out for the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium as the Giants remember losing the 2012 season opener. Eli Manning will outplay Tony Romo in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Giants 28, Cowboys 24 (6-5)
13
vs Raiders
I’m betting for the Cowboys to decimate a team that only won one road game last year. I think a healthy Dallas offense can light it up against an Oakland D that gave up 27.7 points per game in 2012 and didn’t get substantially better in the offseason. Plus, the ‘Boys are well-rested for a short week at home. Cowboys 37, Raiders 13 (7-5)
If you think the Cowboys’ salary cap situation is a mess, take a look at the Raiders and laugh. The Cowboys will welcome Mike Jenkins back in Dallas with a thud on him and on his team. Cowboys 21, Raiders 17 (7-5)
14
at Bears
Out of respect for his good friend, Lovie Smith, Rod Marinelli could not remain as Chicago’s defensive coordinator when Marc Trestman was hired. On this day, Marinelli gets the win and gets inside Jay Cutler’s head with a ton of pressure, which leads to three turnovers. Plus, Dallas will capitalize on the opportunity to put itself in playoff contention with a win. Cowboys 27, Bears 20 (8-5)
The Bears at this stage will be out of playoff contention and will be playing for pride and the chance to dent the Cowboys’ hopes. They have home field and Dallas’ horrible December worries on their side. Bears 16, Cowboys 13 (7-6)
15
vs Packers
I don’t think the Cowboys forgot the beating they took in that 45-7 loss against the Packers. Fortunately, they’re at home, so I give Dallas a slight edge over a Green Bay team that is better overall but still possessing some clear flaws. This is an instance in which DeMarco Murray can carry the ‘Boys to victory.Cowboys 38, Packers 31 (9-5)
There’s a reason that Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets a contract that makes Tony Romo’s $55 million guaranteed look like chump change. The Packers’ defense is pretty good against teams that don’t run the zone read. Plus, the Packers were a good road team back then, and I think the Packers will be motivated to give them another beating. Packers 28, Cowboys 24 (7-7)
16
at Redskins
By week 16, both of these teams are locked in a close battle for the NFC East title. Winner of this game will win it. Alfred Morris will make Cowboys’ run defense look silly and distraught. Mix in some play action from Robert Griffin III, and the Redskins will be too much for the Cowboys again. Redskins 31, Cowboys 13 (9-6)
The Skins already have the division title, but the ‘Boys have a shot in the playoffs. Romo will look to exorcise the demons from a year ago. His costly turnovers down the stretch cost the Cowboys the playoffs last year. It will not happen again. Against all odds he manages to pull this one out in an amazing comeback that will have Dallas fans believing all over again. Cowboys 35, Redskins 33 (8-7)
17
vs Eagles
A meaningless game for the Cowboys, as they are already in the playoffs by the last week. I think the Cowboys would like to build momentum from this game with a win. Cowboys 27, Eagles 21 (10-6)
Cowboys are in a must-win game to get to the playoffs. I expect Monte Kiffin’s defense to be able to hold Chip Kelly and his expected up-tempo offense, as this is the NFL, and Kelly’s offense might not translate well to the pro game. Cowboys 30, Eagles 21 (9-7)
Final Analysis
2013: 10-6 Through the years, the Cowboys have been inconsistent every season. Some years, they are up there with a great record, other times they are down as a mediocre team. This year will be an up year for them as they go 10-6 and win the NFC East division, avenging their late mishap last season that gave the Skins the division. Expect a grind-it-out season for the Cowboys, as shown at my predicted scores.
2013: 9-7 Ever since their 13-3 season in 2008, the Cowboys have been up and down. This year makes no difference, as 9-7 does not guarantee them a playoff spot in the NFC. Just ask the New York Giants. Tony Romo will live up to his shiny new six-year contract extension.
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