How 'bout that schedule?
Per usual, the Cowboys may be one of the most interesting teams in the NFL this upcoming season. While Dallas is coming off a 12-5 campaign and an NFC East division crown, a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the 49ers is the lasting, bitter image of an otherwise successful season.
They'll have to recapture 2021's regular-season glory with a somewhat new-look offense. The Cowboys traded wideout Amari Cooper to the Browns and let Cedric Wilson walk in free agency. Through the draft, they added offensive lineman Tyler Smith, wideout Jalen Tolbert and tight end Jake Ferguson, bringing in some much-needed youth and depth after a thin free agency period.
Like the Cowboys and their fans found out in 2021, it's not just about who you play, but when you play 'em. Here's this year's Cowboys schedule:
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Dallas Cowboys schedule 2022
The Cowboys' schedule with dates, times and networks will be completed when the slate of games is revealed on Thursday, May 12. Dallas will face the following opponents in the 2022 season:
- Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Cincinnati Bengals
- Away: Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 11 | vs. Buccaneers (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 2 | Sept. 18 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | at New York Giants (MNF) | 7:15 p.m. ET | ESPN/ABC |
| 4 | Oct. 2 | vs. Washington Commanders | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 9 | at Los Angeles Rams | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 6 | Oct. 16 | at Philadelphia Eagles (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 7 | Oct. 23 | vs. Detroit Lions | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 8 | Oct. 30 | vs. Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 6 | BYE | — | — |
| 10 | Nov. 13 | at Green Bay Packers | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 11 | Nov. 20 | at Minnesota Vikings | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 12 | Nov. 24 | vs. New York Giants (Thanksgiving) | 4:30 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 4 | vs. Indianapolis Colts (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 14 | Dec. 11 | vs. Houston Texans | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 15 | Dec. 18 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | vs. Philadelphia Eagles | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | at Tennessee Titans (TNF) | 8:15 p.m. ET | Prime Video |
| 18 | Jan. 7/8 | at Washington Commanders | TBD | TBD |
The Cowboys (along with the rest of the NFC East) face off against the NFC North and AFC South this year. They're facing six teams who made the playoffs in 2021, so things aren't exactly easy sledding early on.
Cowboys strength of schedule
The Cowboys will have a relative easy go of it in 2022, if last season's winning percentage is any indicator. Dallas is tied alongside Tampa Bay for the easiest schedule in the league this upcoming season, with opponents' winning percentage sitting at .462.
Dallas will have to deal with an improving NFC East this year, but should still be considered the favorite in the division.
Toughest tests: The Cowboys head west to face the defending Super Bowl champion Rams. They also face the defending AFC Champion Bengals at home, along with perennial Super Bowl contender Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their mettle will be tested pretty quickly against three of the league's best.
Biggest breaks: You can probably pencil in the Lions, Bears and Texans as wins at home this year. On the road, they face the Jaguars. If the Cowboys are going to be legit this upcoming season, then those are four easy wins you can pencil in almost immediately.
Bottom line: Dallas is still a championship-contending squad with not a lot of glaring holes, but the Cowboys did take a small step back offensively this offseason. Their schedule has a fair amount of easy on-paper wins, and some very tough opponents that will show how playoff-ready they are.
Record prediction: 11-6