2023 Dallas Cowboys schedule analysis

On Thursday night, the NFL released the complete Cowboys schedule. Per NFL research, the Cowboys are tied with the Giants and Patriots with the NFL’s third-most difficult schedule in 2023, facing opponents with a 157-129-2 record last season. 

Circle the date: Week 5 at San Francisco 49ers ("Sunday Night Football" on Oct. 8)

It’s a shame these teams only play each other once every three years. A rivalry that started in the 80’s with ‘The Catch’ grew stronger in the ‘90s with the teams meeting in three straight NFC Championship games.

The days of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith may be over, but it doesn’t get much better than watching Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb take on the league’s No. 1 defense in prime time. 

After losing to the 49ers in the divisional round of last year’s playoffs, the all-time series between the teams is now tied at 17-17-1. San Francisco has the edge in regular season games, but Dallas has a 5-2 advantage in playoff games. This game is early, but it could have playoff implications down the line.

Toughest stretch: Week 14 through Week 16

The Cowboys kick off December with a home game against the NFC champion Eagles. Then they’re off to Buffalo to play the Bills before traveling to Miami to face the Dolphins. 

Three playoff teams and two road games is tough, but if Dallas wants to win the NFC East they’ll probably need to win two out of three. 

Easiest stretch: Week 11 and Week 12

Can two games be considered a stretch? In Week 11, the Cowboys travel to Carolina to face rookie quarterback Bryce Young. In Week 12, they’re back home to face Sam Howell’s Commanders. Dallas won’t face a more inexperienced pair of QBs all season.

Thanksgiving Game: Week 12, Washington Commanders

Something about a Thanksgiving game between two NFC East rivals just feels right. This will be the 11th Thanksgiving Day game between the two teams. Dallas is 8-2 against Washington in those games, but lost their last holiday matchup 41-16 in 2020.

The Cowboys are 32-22-1 on Thanksgiving since 1966 and the 2023 version of the Washington Commanders probably isn’t ready to get their third win in the series.