Cowboys already have significant disadvantage in quest for back-to-back NFC East titles

A big week is ahead of the NFL world as the 2024 season schedule release is expected to happen within the next handful of days, even though the league has yet to announce an official release date.

Based on recent years however, we're likely very close. Recently, I put together a guide on what we know so far about the Dallas Cowboys' schedule, including my predictions for primetime games, must-watch matchups, strength of schedule, revenge games, and much more. 

When digging into the strength of schedule, however, I thought it noteworthy that the Cowboys have a significant disadvantage opposed to their top rival within the NFC East these days, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cowboys have a much tougher schedule than the Eagles do in 2024

Although many insist on using last year's win-loss record to determine strength of schedule, things change so quickly in the NFL that is always a better idea to use Las Vegas' win total projections for the upcoming season. Although the betting world doesn't get everything right, they're usually pretty darn close in the grand scheme of things.

Using this method, popularized by Warren Sharp from Sharp Football, the Cowboys' schedule ranks 22nd in the league (32nd being the toughest). Meanwhile, the Eagles will face the 9th easiest schedule.

The difference is massive for a division that has consistently come down to the wire in recent years. After finishing first in the NFC East last year, the Cowboys will be squaring off against the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, which appear to have a lot of continuity after finishing 2023 as the best NFC teams. Meanwhile the Eagles avoid both squads in a relatively thin NFC. 

The Cowboys also get the Houston Texans as their "17th game" which means they'll need to face the rising C.J. Stroud, who will now count with Stefon Diggs to target in the passing game.

Ultimately, the division will largely come down to how the Cowboys fare against the Eagles in their two games next season. But any advantage (or disadvantage) matters in a race that hasn't been won in back-to-back years by any team since 2004, which is the case for the NFC East crown.