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The 2021 NFL season is finally upon us, and the Dallas Cowboys have high expectations with Dak Prescott returning from his ankle injury. Let’s take a look at the full Cowboys schedule and try to predict where they finish up by the end of the year.

2021 Dallas Cowboys schedule

Dak Prescott can lead the Cowboys to an NFC East title in 2021.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott takes a snap during practice | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images

Sept. 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sept. 19: at Los Angeles Chargers

Sept. 27: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Oct. 3: vs. Carolina Panthers

Oct. 10: vs. New York Giants

Oct. 17: at New England Patriots

Oct. 31: at Minnesota Vikings

Nov. 7: vs. Denver Broncos

Nov. 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Nov. 21: at Kansas City Chiefs

Nov. 25: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Dec. 2: at New Orleans Saints

Dec. 12: at Washington Football Team

Dec. 19: at New York Giants

Dec. 26: vs. Washington Football Team

Jan. 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Jan. 9: at Philadelphia Eagles

Cowboys record prediction for 2021

Week 1 at Buccaneers: Loss

The NFL schedule-makers didn’t do the Cowboys any favors with their Week 1 matchup. Tampa Bay has all 22 starters returning from last year’s Super Bowl roster, and Prescott will be coming into this one cold. Dallas starts the season with a decisive loss.

Week 2 at Chargers: Win

This one should be a shootout from start to finish, but the Cowboys have enough firepower to outscore the Chargers in their home stadium.

Week 3 vs. Eagles: Win

Jalen Hurts could be good enough to power the Eagles to an NFC East title, but it might take a few weeks for him to find a groove. The Cowboys should have a field day on this defense in Week 3.

Week 4 vs. Panthers: Win

Christian McCaffrey will be a nightmare for the Cowboys to contain, but hold him relatively in check, and this should be an easy victory.

Week 5 vs. Giants: Win

The Giants should be improved with Saquon Barkley back in the fold, but this offense doesn’t have enough weapons to keep up with Dallas on the Jerry World turf.

Week 6 at Patriots: Loss

New England is exceptional in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They’ll control the line of scrimmage all game and run Dallas to death en route to a home victory.

Week 7 BYE

Week 8 at Vikings: Loss

Justin Jefferson and Adam Theilen make up a scary WR combination for the Cowboys to defend, and Dalvin Cook should have his way against this Cowboys front. Vikings score at will and win in another shootout.

Week 9 vs. Broncos: Win

Neither Teddy Bridgewater nor Drew Lock is dangerous enough to dice up this Cowboys secondary. If Dallas can force a few turnovers in this one, it should be a wrap.

Week 10 vs. Falcons: Win

This one could get interesting, but Atlanta’s defense has no answer for a healthy Cowboys offense. Dallas could score 40 in a Week 10 win.

Week 11 at Chiefs: Loss

The Cowboys might score 40 in Week 10, but they’ll give up 40 in Week 11.

Week 12 vs. Raiders: Loss

Dallas has lost five of its last seven Thanksgiving games by an average of 20 points per game. The Raiders will make it six of the last eight.

Week 13 at Saints: Win

Who knows whether it will be Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill at quarterback by this point in the season, but neither option should scare this Cowboys secondary.

Week 14 at Washington: Win

The Cowboys lost both matchups against Washington last season by a combined 47 points. Revenge will be on the menu in Week 14.

Week 15 at Giants: Loss

There’s bound to be a slip-up somewhere on the schedule in 2021. We’ll take our chances with a divisional foe still fighting for a playoff spot in Week 15.

Week 16 vs. Washington: Win

A Washington double to atone for last season’s sweep? Sure, why not?

Week 17 vs. Cardinals: Loss

With the pressure of the NFC East lead mounting, Dallas comes out shaky and can’t rebound in time to catch a Cardinals team in the middle of their own heated division race.

Week 18 at Eagles: Loss

The NFC East title may very well come down to this game, and we saw what happened the last time this situation materialized in Philly.

2021 record prediction: 9-8

Dallas has a win total of 9 for this season

A 9-8 record might seem defensive for a team with such high expectations, but that’s right where Vegas expects the Cowboys to be in 2021. Dallas’ win total this season is set at exactly nine, which is the highest total in the NFC East.

The Cowboys are also +3500 to win the Super Bowl and +150 to win the division.

What’s the best futures bet for the Cowboys in 2021?

All betting odds courtesy of DraftKings

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Staff Writer

Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.