The Year Ahead: What Other Fanbases Think of the 2017 Dallas Cowboys
I went through the Offseason Review series over on r/NFL, and looked at what all our 2017 opponents are predicting for their games against us. Here's the list:
| Week | Opponent | Prediction | What they're saying |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NYG | <no prediction> | <no prediction> |
| 2 | DEN | L, 20-21 | Another week another great team, this time it is the inaugural Demarcus Ware Bowl. Last year’s NFC #1 seed will come to town to see if their ground and pound offense can best the Broncos. Ezekiel Elliott will likely dominate in this game unless the Broncos run defense improved dramatically over the offseason. This will be key for the Cowboys chances in this game, as the No Fly Zone will make quick work of the Cowboys receivers and the Broncos swarming pass rush will make Prescott fight for everything. |
| 3 | ARI | W, 26-20 | This game is one of the most exciting of the season, and leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. In a battle of youngster against veteran in Dak Prescott and Carson Palmer, the two QBs do little for their teams. Instead, the offenses are led by Ezekiel Elliott and David Johnson, who combine for over 350 yards rushing (with the edge going to Johnson). With time running out, Prescott drives his team downfield, and the drive culminates in a Dan Bailey FG with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation. In overtime, the Cowboys receive the ball first, and proceed to run the ball repeatedly. This strategy proves effective, and the Cowboys score the game-winning TD on the opening drive of overtime. The Cardinals offense is one-dimensional, as Johnson proves to be the only weapon. Defensively, Dallas's mammoth offensive line opens up gaping holes for Ezekiel Elliott, who gashes the normally stingy Cardinals defense for 2 TDs. This game disappoints many Cardinals fans in the home opener, but registers as must-see TV. |
| 4 | LAR | W | A game where their strength neutralizes our strength, and it comes down to QB and skill position play. Their skill positions are much better. |
| 5 | GB | W | We still can't find a solution for Zeke and he runs all over us. |
| 7 | SF | W, 33-16 | This is gonna be our first true beatdown. Yeah rushing defense is our strength, but rushing offense is reallllllly the Cowboys strength, and I have a bad feeling that when the one thing we've been able to depend on the entire season collapses, so does our team. Bad offensive showing against a mediocre defense, and we start getting blown out way too early. Hyde still manages to do well against the Cowboys run defense, but we just can't use him that much later in the game when we're already down. |
| 8 | WAS | W | their strength matches our weakness |
| 9 | KC | L, 17-20 | This game could be trouble due to the run defense. It should improve after replacing Dontari Poe with Bennie Logan but Bob Suttons scheme does not lend itself to having a strong run defense as is. I am not sold on Dak Prescott's ability to carry his team through a whole game if Elliott struggles. The Chiefs tend to play well against good teams and I'm hoping they get excited and band together for this big road win before the bye week. Tough fought game that ends in a game winning FG but the Chiefs edge out the Cowboys in Dallas. |
| 10 | ATL | L | The first and second seeded teams from last season meet up in Atlanta. I think the Cowboys will be fine on offense, keeping that OLine together and giving Zeke and Dak an extra year of experience, and synergy with Dez. However, their already suspect defense was deprived of a couple of key players. They seem to roll the rookie dice again, and I'm not sure I like it. The Falcons can win this one. |
| 11 | PHI | W, 27-17 | [Eagles and Cowboys fans this entire offseason] (http://imgur.com/013taqO). Hooooooooboy this one will be entertaining. Not only from the game itself but the game thread will be a treat to participate in. This entire offseason this sub has seen Cowboys and Eagles fan from both sides of the aisle barking at one another over and over about their teams bright rookie QB’s arguing about who is better and why. It taking 11 weeks for the Eagles and Cowboys to face off for the first time this season will only make things even more tense and reactionary. Cowboy’s fans are quick to boast about their “great wall of Dallas” but now the Eagles have one as well, and our d-line before the addition of Jernigan, Long, and Barnett had little issue breaking that great wall. The depth on our d-line (Beau Allen should be back at this point) will make our front 7 feel relentless, maybe so much so as to slow down Zeke and rattle Dak’s cage a bit. However, I am worried about (as I always am at this point) our secondary. Dez always shows up well against us, Beasley is always a pain in the ass, and FUCKIN WITTEN is always inexplicably open at the most inconvenient times. This will be close, as our games always are. However, I think the Cowboys take the first match up here. |
| 12 | LAC | W, 31-27 | The team makes the trip over to the Jerrydome for a Thanksgiving matchup against the Cowboys. Dak is still a young QB and all youngins are prone to making mistakes. The Dallas OL has lost a bit of its sheen on paper with several key starters and backups departing, but its still one of the most solid units in the NFL. As long as the core of Smith, Frederick, Martin, and Collins are present, they have a shot at keeping even the best defenses at bay. Dallas's defense doesn't scare me nearly as much, and I think this game has a chance at creating some primetime fireworks. |
| 13 | WAS | W | their strength matches our weakness |
| 14 | NYG | <no prediction> | <no prediction> |
| 15 | OAK | L | Why we Win: Two of the youngest and most exciting teams in the NFL square off on SNF, and luckily for the Raiders, it's at least a home game. The Raiders match up pretty well against most aspects of the Cowboys offensively and defensively, especially when Carr is on the field, and I believe they have a solid chance to come out of this game with a win. This is another SNF game with some absolutely awesome offensive lines, so expect a high-scoring affair. Why we Lose: That Dallas OL vs Oakland DL is definitely an aspect that could allow the Cowboys to slow the game and slam play after play against the Raiders. If they slow the game enough, it could be difficult for the Raiders to match offense on every single drive. |
| 16 | SEA | W | It all comes down to this. A titanic clash between the NFC’s two best teams. I could see this game getting flexed to primetime even though I think the Cowboys already have 5 primetime games. I think this game will determine the #1 seed, and I think the Seahawks will fall short in Dallas. Unfortunately, I think the Dak/Dez/Zeke combo with the best offensive line in football will stymie the Seahawks. This is a potential preview of an NFC Conference Championship game. If this game does become a primetime game, I think my prediction would change. |
| 17 | PHI | L, 14-24 | What’s the point of ending the season if the final game is not against the Cowboys? This game is a tough one, because I have to ask myself, where do I see the Cowboys ending up? The Eagles are 8-7 and chances are they are out of playoff contention and playing the role of spoiler, much like last year. But it is hard to land on where the Cowboys will end up. I have been pretty vocal on this sub of my support for Dak. I think that the only way we do not see around the same guy as we saw last year is if he unravels, but I don’t think he will. He is too good to let that happen as is the talent around him. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys have clinched the division or a wild card spot and are playing for seeding. I don’t see them at 13-3 but I also don’t see them at much worse…probably around 10-6, unless their defense implodes, and with their secondary it just might. I take the Eagles here with the Cowboys pulling their starters by halftime to rest up for the playoffs. |
Overall predicted record: 9-5 (Giants reviewer did not submit schedule predictions)
Posted Aug 14, 2017, 7:51 PM UTC · edited
2018