Cowboys predicted to win NFC East

Every year before the NFL season gets under way, USA Today releases their projections for each team’s final record. Their projections were released earlier this week and has created some buzz amongst Dallas Cowboys fans.

The projections have the Cowboys finishing with a record of 10-7 and finishing as the NFC East champions. Although, their 10-7 record is the lowest of any other division leader. Only the San Francisco 49ers at 11-6 had less than 12 wins as a division winner.

Dallas is projected to finish two games above the New York Giants and Washington Football Team who are projected to go 8-9. At the bottom of the division are the Philadelphia Eagles with a projected record of 3-14.

The Cowboys open their season with a tough road match against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before getting to return home for the first time they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers, who are projected to go 11-6.

After two very tough games, Dallas gets a favorable stretch of games, starting in week three at home against Philadelphia. The game between the two division rivals will be the Monday Night Football game for week three.

Staying at home for two more weeks, Dallas hosts the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants in weeks four and five. The two teams are both projected to go 8-9 and should be games the Cowboys can win.

Week six Dallas hits the road again, this time to face Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Despite a 7-9 record last year, New England is expected to have a bounce back year.

The Cowboys will get their bye in week seven, before traveling to Minnesota in week eight on Sunday Night Football.

Weeks nine and 10 should be manageable for the Cowboys, when they host the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons. Neither team is projected to finish above .500, with Atlanta projected to go just 5-12.

Week 11 could very well be their toughest test, when they travel to Kansas City to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The East Texas native will be looking to lead his team to a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

After arguably their toughest match of the season, Dallas ends the season with a very favorable stretch, opening with their Thanksgiving Day game again the Las Vegas Raiders. Of the remaining teams on their schedule the Raiders have the highest projected win total at 8-9.

The Cowboys will then hit the road for three consecutive games, starting with a Thursday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints will be without quarterback Drew Brees for the first time since 2005.

In week 14 Dallas travels to Washington to take on the Football Team for the first time this season before traveling to New York in week 15 to face the Giants.

In week 16 and 17 the Cowboys get to stay at home, starting with a Sunday Night Football game (which is subject to change) against Washington. In week 17 they’ll have their final home game, this time against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite a 8-8 finish last year, the Cardinals are projected to go 7-10 this year.

Finally the Cowboys will finish their season on the road against Philadelphia. With a generally favorable schedule, a 10-7 record feels modest for Dallas.

With Dak Prescott returning and a very strong offense around him, Dallas should have one of the better offense’s in the league this year. If the Cowboys can stay healthy and have just an average-to-above average defense, they should have no problem going 10-7 or better.