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Breaking down Cowboys' 2021 schedule and game predictions
Dallas Cowboys helmets are heated on the benches against the New York Giants in the first half at MetLife Stadium.  Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys schedule for the 2021 season with the second-weakest slate of opponents in the NFL. But even with Dak Prescott returning, there are reasons for concern.

Fans witnessed one of the NFL’s worst defenses last year. Bringing in Dan Quinn as the defensive coordinator and reuniting him with some of his key players might help this unit take a step forward. But the Cowboys’ secondary is still a problem and a lack of depth on the offensive line could cause problems in a 17-game season.

Let’s dive into our Cowboys’ predictions for the 2021 season.

Week 1 – @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Sept. 9 8:20 PM NBC

A top-three offense and the NFL’s best defense is a recipe for the Cowboys getting blasted off the field. Tom Brady will have no trouble racking up points and yards against the Cowboys’ secondary. When Prescott hits the field, he’ll be under duress and his receivers might have some issues getting open off the snap.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Buccaneers 41, Cowboys 27

Week 2 – @ Los Angeles Chargers 

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Sept. 19 4:25 PM CBS

Don’t sleep on the Chargers in 2021. Los Angeles boasts the defensive talent to be a top-10 unit in the NFL and its offense offers just as much potential. New head coach Brandon Staley is a defensive guru who will find ways to contain the Cowboys’ passing attack and generate turnovers. Blowouts happen and the Chargers are more than capable of doing this to Dallas.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Chargers 38, Cowboys 21

Week 3 – vs. Philadelphia Eagles

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Sept. 27 8:15 PM ESPN

The Eagles are rebuilding, even if the organization doesn’t want to call it that. While Jalen Hurts does some nice things, he’s not the caliber of passer who can attack the Cowboys’ secondary. On the other side, the Cowboys’ receiving corps will overwhelm Philadelphia and Prescott should go off for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 34, Eagles 24

Week 4 – vs. Carolina Panthers

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Oct. 3 1 PM FOX

If you’re looking for a matchup with highlight plays and plenty of scoring, this will be the game to watch. Carolina’s secondary should be more consistent in 2021, but it’s still very inexperienced and star players will make plays against it. Ultimately, this comes down to Prescott vs. Sam Darnold.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 31, Panthers 28

Week 5 – vs. New York Giants

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Oct. 10 4:25 PM FOX

If you the Giants and Cowboys swapped quarterbacks, New York is a Super Bowl contender and Dallas is making a top-10 pick every year. The Giants’ defense is strong, especially the defensive backfield, but its pass rush couldn’t consistently get home last year and struggled against the run. Dallas has enough firepower, with a healthy Prescott, to win.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 27, Giants 21

Week 6 – @ New England Patriots

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Oct. 17 4:25 PM CBS

Bill Belichick doesn’t like losing. After last year’s disappointing effort, the Patriots went out and spent like crazy this offseason. New England will enter the fall with a top-10 defense and its offense will use the running game, RPOs and quick passes to control the tempo. This should be a low-scoring game, with New England coming out on top.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Patriots 24, Cowboys 21

WEEK 7 BYE

Week 8 – @ Minnesota Vikings

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Oct. 31 8:20 PM NBC

Containing Minnesota’s rushing attack is the key to victory. While there are issues with the Cowboys’ secondary, this front seven will cause problems for opponents in 2021. With the speed and strength to win in the box, Dallas should walk out of Minnesota as the winner.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 31, Vikings 24

Week 9 – vs. Denver Broncos

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Nov. 7 1 PM FOX

There’s no denying the talent on the Cowboys’ offense, most teams can’t match up with Elliott, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper. But Denver’s defense, with one of the deepest secondaries in the NFL and the pass-rush duo of Bradley Chubb and Von Miller can contain Kellen Moore’s offense with a defensive masterpiece.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Broncos 23, Cowboys 17

Week 10 – vs. Atlanta Falcons

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Nov. 14 1 PM FOX

Atlanta’s offense should put up plenty of points in 2021, even after Julio Jones is traded. But defensively, the Falcons have one of the thinnest depth charts in the NFL. Prescott and Co. won’t need an onside kick to secure a victory, but there might need to be a few clutch fourth-quarter dimes from No. 4.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 31, Falcons 27

Week 11 – @ Kansas City Chiefs

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Nov. 21 4:25 PM FOX

While matchups between great quarterbacks are fun, they become a little less interesting in games like this. The Chiefs’ roster is superior to what Dallas will throw out on the field, even if everyone is healthy. Patrick Mahomes will carve the Cowboys’ defense to shreds and this one might be over by halftime.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Chiefs 35, Cowboys 24

Week 12 – vs. Las Vegas Raiders

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Nov. 25 4:30 PM FOX

Dallas didn’t get a lot better this offseason, but the Las Vegas Raiders are much worse than the team we saw in 2020. Quinn’s defense will generate pressure on Derek Carr, Ezekiel Elliott can run wild against the Raiders’ defense and this one should be over by the third quarter.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 37, Raiders 27

Week 13 – @ New Orleans Saints

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Dec. 2 8:20 PM FOX/NFLN/Amazon

If this game is played at home, Dallas probably snags a double-digit victory. Then again, it’s also possible Dallas could achieve that if Taysom Hill is the Saints’ full-time quarterback. This is a contest the Cowboys can win, especially considering all the personnel changes to the Saints’ defense this offseason.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 26, Saints 17

Week 14 – @ Washington Football Team

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Dec. 12 1 PM FOX

It all starts in the trenches and that’s what allows Washington to take away what the Cowboys do best. Chase Young and Co. should have little issue getting to Prescott and with little time to throw, Washington’s secondary will create a game-changing turnover that decides this matchup.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: WFT 17, Cowboys 10

Week 15 – @ New York Giants

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Dec. 19 1 PM FOX

Beating your rival twice in one year is difficult, especially when that opponent’s greatest strength is its defense. New York will control the clock, control the Cowboys’ offensive tempo and have the crowd on their side. This will be a matchup that comes down to the final minutes, but New York did more to improve this spring and is the better team on paper.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Giants 23, Cowboys 17

Week 16 – vs. Washington Football Team

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Dec. 26 8:20 PM NBC

In their two meetings against the Cowboys, Washington’s defense recorded 10 sacks and basically lived in the backfield. Chase Young is entering his second NFL season, Washington’s secondary is better than it was last season and its offense will be more explosive. With the WFT holding the advantages at key spots, they can exploit the Cowboys’ weaknesses.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: WFT 26, Cowboys 20

Week 17 – vs. Arizona Cardinals

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Jan. 2 1 PM FOX

Prescott’s injury kept us from seeing a potential shootout when these teams faced off last year. This time around, the Cowboys’ star will make it a far more thrilling game. But Arizona added to its defense and Kyler Murray should make a huge leap in his third NFL season.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cardinals 38, Cowboys 28

Week 18 – @ Philadelphia Eagles

DATE: TIME: TV Info:
Jan. 9 1 PM FOX

The Cowboys won the draft-day trade with the Eagles and they will win this year’s rivalry series. Dallas is way too deep and talented at wide receiver for Philadelphia to handle and Prescott won’t miss big-play opportunities. With the Eagles unable to keep up, Dallas will especially enjoy a victory at Lincoln Financial Field.

Dallas Cowboys schedule prediction: Cowboys 28, Eagles 20

Dallas Cowboys projected record: 8-9

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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