The Dallas Cowboys' 2026 schedule predictions suggest they will start strong but face challenges mid-season. Key matchups include games against the Eagles and 49ers, with a projected record of 8-4 by Thanksgiving.
Key points
Dallas Cowboys' 2026 schedule predictions are available.
Cowboys are expected to start the season strong with wins.
Key games include matchups against the Eagles and 49ers.
Predicted record by Thanksgiving is 8-4.
Dallas CowboysNew York GiantsWashington CommandersBaltimore Ravens
Oct 26, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detail view of the helmet worn by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Oct 26, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detail view of the helmet worn by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys 2026 schedule is out. Letâs predict each game.
Week 1: Cowboys at Giants
The Giants will become a good team under John Harbaugh, but they have a ways to go to get there. They need a better roster, and they will need time to digest Harbaughâs way. Theyâll get there but not this quickly. Plus, Malik Nabers could miss the game from injury.
**Cowboys win: 1-0 record**
The Cowboys get off to a strong NFC East start by winning two games in a row in the division. The Cowboys offense at home will be too much for the Commanders defense. Weâll also get a second look at how a Christian Parker defense deals with a mobile quarterback.
**Cowboys win:** **2-0 record**
Week 3: at Cowboys (Brazil)
Q&A
What is the Dallas Cowboys' predicted record for the 2026 season?
The Cowboys are predicted to have an 8-4 record by Thanksgiving in the 2026 season.
Which teams will the Cowboys face in their first four games of the 2026 season?
The Cowboys will face the Giants, Commanders, Ravens, and Texans in their first four games.
How do the Cowboys' predictions compare against the Eagles in 2026?
The Cowboys are expected to defeat the Eagles at home on Thanksgiving, reversing previous losses.
What challenges do the Cowboys face in their 2026 schedule?
The Cowboys face tough matchups against the Ravens, Packers, Eagles, and 49ers, which could impact their season record.
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The Cowboys get another team with a new coach. They played the departed Harbaugh in Week 1. In Week 3, they get his replacement in Jesse Minter. There is plenty of turnover on the coaching staff in Baltimore, but they still have talent on the roster. Both teams are trying to recover from a substandard 2025. Itâs a tough call, but Ravens win.
**Cowboys lose: 2-1 record**
The Texans keep making the playoffs, then fail to make any noise once there. Sounds like another Texas team we know of. The Cowboys did miss the tournament last season while the Texans went 12-5 on the year. Still, we smell a Cowboys road victory coming in this intrastate matchup.
**Cowboys win:** **3-1 record**
The Bucs wonât have Mike Evans which will feel very strange. Baker Mayfield has stabilized his own career, but the Bucs always feel like theyâre just treading water. Dallas is too much for a revamped Bucs defense.
**Cowboys win:** **4-1 record**
A nightmare team for the Cowboys. That playoff game beatdown a few years ago still haunts our dreams. This is a tough ask for the Cowboys, who famously battled the Packers to a draw (40-40!) last season. In the Micah Parsons Bowl II, Packers squeak it out.
**Cowboys lose: 4-2 record**
Week 7: Cowboys at Eagles
The Eagles and Cowboys games will have some extra juice with Christian Parker taking over the defense and battling his mentor in Vic Fangio. The teams have been pretty evenly matched in the regular season over the past decade, homefield advantage carries the Eagles to victory.
**Cowboys lose: 4-3 record**
Week 8: Cardinals at Cowboys
The perennially rebuilding Cardinals try again after the Kyler Murray experiment is over. Their QB room at the moment doesnât inspire confidence. Even though the Cardinals have actually owned the Cowboys lately, Dallas gets the win this year.
**Cowboys win: 5-3 record**
The Colts are one of the NFL teams the Cowboys just donât play very often. They never get matched in the few âswing gamesâ on the NFL schedule with Dallas. The Cowboys annihilated the Colts the last time they played in 2022, that game was in Dallas. This time the Cowboys go on the road and get another victory.
**Cowboys win: 6-3 record**
The 49ers are on the schedule and the nightmares come back in an instant. San Francisco has stood in the way of the Cowboys realizing their dream a couple of times in recent years. The 49ers have won four in a row over Dallas, and they make it five with another win.
**Cowboys lose: 6-4 record**
The Titans represent another team going through a rebuild. Anything can happen on any given Sunday, but it feels very unlikely they will pull off the upset on the road. Cowboys at home are too much.
**Cowboys win: 7-4 record**
Week 12: Eagles at Cowboys (Thanksgiving)
By this time, playoff positioning in the NFC East could be on the line. A huge clash between rivals when things get very interesting. The Cowboys have lost twice to the Eagles at home on Thanksgiving⊠but not this year. Dallas is able to get their Bounty Bowl revenge and we all enjoy Thanksgiving.
**Cowboys win:** **8-4 record**
They are the Super Bowl champs. DeMarcus Lawrence seemed to have a legit premonition when he talked about winning Super Bowls after leaving Dallas. An away game against the reigning champs? Thatâs too far of a limb to go out on. Seahawks win.
**Cowboys lose: 8-5 record**
Matthew Stafford is ageing like fine wine, but you have to feel that his time is coming to a close soon. The Rams are gearing up for another Super Bowl run with Stafford (even with the curious Ty Simpson pick), and have plenty of weapons. Dallas is unable to keep up with a hot Stafford.
**Cowboys lose:** **8-6 record**
The Jaguars are an ascending team, having a strong year in 2025. Trevor Lawrence has found his stride and he and Dak Prescott will get into an aerial battle. But the Cowboys defense should be improved this year, so we give the edge to Dallas at home.
****Cowboys win: 9-6 record****
Week 17: Giants at Cowboys
The Cowboys at home against a team finding its identity under a new coach feels like a âWâ for Dallas. In truth, the Cowboys have dominated the Giants recently. That will eventually change under new management in New York, but it wonât be this year.
****Cowboys win: 10-6 record****
Week 18: Cowboys at Commanders
Who knows if this game will mean anything to either franchise at this point in the season? We might see a lot of backups. Or, it may mean everything to one or both of them. Weâre taking the view the Cowboys have locked in their playoff position and rest some starters. Commanders win.
**Cowboys loss:** **10-7 record**
Based on all that, the Cowboys will go 10-7 on the season and will make the playoffs in 2026.
FanDuel currently has the Cowboys over/under on wins at 9.5 on the season.
Whatâs your prediction for the Cowboys final record? Hit the comments and let us know.
***Check out all of FanDuelâs NFL odds for the 2026 season.***
