Dallas City News

Even the most diehard Dallas Cowboys fan must feel this season is starting to circle the drain, and it might already be too late to rectify things. The unexpected could happen allowing Dallas to turn things around, but the odds are stacked against it at this point.

With that in mind, we decided to take a look at the remainder of the Cowboys 2024 schedule to try to determine what it would take to keep their playoff hopes alive and how many wins they could string together this year. Sadly, the upcoming schedule doesn’t do the Cowboys any favors, but you can judge for yourselves.

---

Week 9: at the Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

Week 10: vs. at the Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

Week 11: vs. the Houston Texans (6-2)

Week 12: at the Washington Commanders (6-2)

The next four games for the Dallas Cowboys will make or break their season. They probably need to win two of these games to remain in playoff contention, but that won’t be easy against two divisional opponents and two teams who are leading their respective divisions. Considering how they’ve been playing this year, even one win feels like asking a lot.

Due to the current state of things, wins against Atlanta and Houston aren’t out of the question. The Falcons have had some good luck this year, winning a lot of close games. And the Texans are currently struggling to protect their QB and have several injuries to their WR corps. It won’t be easy, but these two probably give Dallas their best chance at a win.

---

Week 13: vs. the New York Giants (2-6)

Week 14: vs. the Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)

Week 15: at the Carolina Panthers (1-7)

Week 16: vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

This next four-game stretch it looks much more favorable for the Cowboys to string much-needed wins together. Three of the four teams in this four-game stretch are sitting below .500 with only Tampa Bay sneaking by with a 4-4 record. There’s a good chance Dallas could go 4-0 in this stretch or at the very least 3-1, possibly keeping playoff hopes alive.

Each one of these teams in this stretch could also be the dreaded “trap game” for the Cowboys. Tampa Bay is currently down their top two WRs, but are still playing better football than Dallas is right now. Cincinnati is also talented enough to give the Cowboys problems. Carolina should be an easy win.

---

Week 17: at the Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

Week 18: vs. the Washington Commanders (6-2)

It’s hard to imagine these last two games against the Eagles and Commanders will be very meaningful in the grander scheme of things the way things have played out so far, or with the way things are shaping up for the Cowboys the rest of the season. They likely won’t be competing for the NFC East title and odds are their playoff hopes might have ended.

One thing they could be playing for to close out the 2024 regular-season is to play a spoiler role, potentially knocking Philadelphia for Washington out of the playoffs. Regardless, the Cowboys are going to have to really turn things around earlier in the season if these games end up being anything but meaningless.

---

Prediction: Dallas Cowboys finish with a 6-11 record

The prediction here is the Cowboys will go 0-4 in Weeks 9-12 losing to the Falcons, Eagles, Texas, and Commanders. That would probably put an end to any and all playoff hopes. From there, they go 3-1 in the next four-game stretch in Weeks 13-16, with their only loss to the Buccaneers. That would put them at 6-9 entering Week 17 and 18.

With little to no reason to win other than possibly knocking the Eagles or Commanders out of the playoffs, the prediction is the Cowboys go 0-2 to close out the 2024 regular-season. Those two losses would bring them to 6-11 on the year and all but guarantee them a Top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. According to a poll posted by Jon Machota, a lot of you agree.