Cowboy’s Record Prediction… 8 and 8? 10 and 6?
If you take a look at the Cowboys schedule based on last seasons team records, it doesn't look that bad. In fact, it's pretty middle of the pack. Of course, with that, you are putting in two games against the Giants who a) should be a lot better than they were last year and b) even if they are bad, it's a division game and it's not always a guaranteed win.
I was over at Bleacher Report and saw that they have predicted the Cowboys record to be 8 and 8. Here is their explanation:
The Dallas Cowboys have talent. They have a capable quarterback in Dak Prescott, a franchise running back in Ezekiel Elliott and a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Demarcus Lawrence. What the Cowboys don't have is a clear idea of who will be Prescott's top targets in 2018.
Dallas said goodbye to both Dez Bryant and Jason Witten this offseason. The Cowboys brought in the likes of Allen Hurns, Tavon Auston and rookie Michael Gallup. This means Prescott will be working with a lot of new faces while also trying to rebound from a down 2017 campaign.
The Cowboys can lean on Elliott and on a defense that allowed a respectable 20.8 points per game (13th in the NFL), which should keep them competitive in most matchups. However, the course of the season will largely be defined by the efficiency of the passing game.
Even if Prescott returns to form, the Cowboys are going to have a difficult time making the playoffs out of the NFC East. The Eagles are going to be title contenders again, and the New York Giants appear to be much improved. Dallas will still be relevant this season, but it likely won't be a legitimate playoff threat.
Prediction: 8-8
I don't fully agree with statement of having to rely on the passing game. Not when you have a player like Ezekiel Elliott. It's one of the major luxuries the Cowboys have. They can control the clock and if the defense can hold true, then the Cowboys should be vastly better than last year.
Of course, you also have to look at the actual schedule. While I hate making predictions like this. There are almost no automatic wins to put down on this year's schedule. So, here you, a complete shot in the dark from me based on each game.
- Week 1 - at Carolina Panthers - LOSS
- Week 2 - New York Giants - WIN
- Week 3 - at Seattle Seahawks - WIN
- Week 4 - Detroit Lions - Win
- Week 5 - at Houston Texans - WIN
- Week 6 - Jacksonville Jaguars - WIN
- Week 7 - at Washington Redskins - WIN
- Week 8 - BYE
- Week 9 - Tennessee Titans - WIN
- Week 10 - at Philadelphia Eagles - LOSS
- Week 11 - at Atlanta Falcons - LOSS
- Week 12 - Washington Redskins - WIN
- Week 13 - New Orleans Saints - LOSS
- Week 14 - Philadelphia Eagles - LOSS
- Week 15 - at Indianapolis Colts - WIN
- Week 16 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WIN
- Week 17 - at New York Giants - LOSS
So I guess I have them going slightly better than Bleacher Report does, going 10 and 6. What sort of insanely brilliant method did I use to come to this conclusion? I just looked at each game and whatever I thought would happen first, I wrote down. Win or loss.