The Dallas Cowboys start the 2025 season with more questions than answers. This is a franchise with five Super Bowl titles and the proud nickname America’s Team. Yet the Cowboys have not reached the NFC Championship since 1995. Fans are eager to see if this year will be different.
Last season ended with a 7–10 record and a third-place finish in the NFC East. Injuries hurt the offensive line, the defense lacked consistency, and the run game failed to control games. The offseason brought change. Brian Schottenheimer is now the head coach.
Micah Parsons was traded to Green Bay. Kenny Clark arrived to fix the interior of the defense, and wide receiver George Pickens joined CeeDee Lamb to strengthen the passing attack.
The 2025 schedule is filled with challenges. Dallas opens against the defending champion Eagles and closes with tough divisional matchups. Every week will test whether this roster can push back into the playoff picture.
Cowboys Historical Snapshot
The Cowboys were founded in 1960 and quickly became one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. The team has five Super Bowl wins and eight NFC championships. From 1966 to 1985, Dallas had 20 straight winning seasons under legendary coach Tom Landry.
The roster has featured some of football’s greatest names. Emmitt Smith is the league’s all-time leading rusher. Troy Aikman led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s. Jason Witten set franchise records for receptions and yards at tight end. On defense, stars like Charles Haley and DeMarcus Ware kept the tradition of pass rush alive.
Recent years have been different. Dallas won 12 games in both 2022 and 2023 but lost in the playoffs each time. The team has not advanced past the Divisional Round since the 1995 season. The drought is now three decades long, and that history shapes expectations in 2025.
2025 Offseason Headlines Shaping the Season
New Leadership: Brian Schottenheimer takes over as head coach. He knows the offense well from his time as coordinator and now has the chance to set the tone for the entire team.
Micah Parsons Trade: The Cowboys traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay. In return, they gained Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and draft picks. The defense shifts from speed on the edge to strength in the middle.
George Pickens Addition: To help Dak Prescott, the team added wide receiver George Pickens. Pairing him with CeeDee Lamb gives Dallas one of the most dangerous wideout duos in the conference.
Lingering Concerns: The offensive line remains thin. Injuries ruined the unit in 2024, and depth is still a problem. The run game also lacks a true lead back, leaving the offense one-dimensional at times.
Dallas Cowboys 2025–26 Game-by-Game Predictions
| Week | Date | Opponent | Key Storyline | Predicted Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thu, Sep 4 | @ Eagles | NFL Kickoff, banner night in Philly | Loss |
| 2 | Sun, Sep 14 | vs Giants | Russell Wilson under pressure | Win |
| 3 | Sun, Sep 21 | @ Bears | Caleb Williams still adjusting | Win |
| 4 | Sun, Sep 28 | vs Packers | Parsons returns with Green Bay | Loss |
| 5 | Sun, Oct 5 | @ Jets | Prescott steadies the offense | Win |
| 6 | Sun, Oct 12 | @ Panthers | Young Carolina team overmatched | Win |
| 7 | Sun, Oct 19 | vs Commanders | Washington tests Dallas depth | Loss |
| 8 | Sun, Oct 26 | @ Broncos | Denver defense dominates | Loss |
| 9 | Mon, Nov 3 | vs Cardinals | Dallas bounces back at home | Win |
| 10 | Sun, Nov 9 | BYE | Midseason reset | — |
| 11 | Mon, Nov 17 | @ Raiders | Defense handles Vegas run game | Win |
| 12 | Sun, Nov 23 | vs Eagles | Prescott keeps it close, but Philly prevails | Loss |
| 13 | Thu, Nov 27 | vs Chiefs (Thanksgiving) | Mahomes outshines on national stage | Loss |
| 14 | Thu, Dec 4 | @ Lions | Detroit line controls the game | Loss |
| 15 | Sun, Dec 14 | vs Vikings | Prescott edges McCarthy at home | Win |
| 16 | Sun, Dec 21 | vs Chargers | Herbert leads a tough road win | Loss |
| 17 | Thu, Dec 25 | @ Commanders (Christmas) | Dallas spoils Washington’s holiday | Win |
| 18 | TBD | @ Giants | Cowboys sweep New York | Win |
Predicted Record: 9–8
Dallas splits the division at 3–3 and lands on the playoff bubble.
Disclaimer: These predictions are based on analysis and are for information only. They are not guarantees of results.
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Key Matchups to Watch
- Week 1 @ Eagles: The season opener on the road against the defending champs will show how far Dallas has to go.
- Week 4 vs Packers: Micah Parsons returns with Green Bay in one of the most anticipated games of the year.
- Week 12 vs Eagles: The home rematch could decide whether Dallas stays alive in the playoff hunt.
- Week 13 vs Chiefs (Thanksgiving): Mahomes vs Prescott on the holiday stage is must-watch football.
- Week 17 @ Commanders (Christmas): A rivalry game on Christmas Day with playoff implications makes this one of the highlights of the season.
Strengths vs Weaknesses in 2025
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Quarterback Stability: Prescott healthy with Lamb and Pickens gives Dallas a strong passing attack. | Offensive Line Concerns: Injuries and depth issues remain from last season. |
| Pass Catching Depth: Jake Ferguson adds balance as a reliable tight end. | Run Game Uncertainty: No proven feature back to carry the load late in games. |
| Defensive Line Upgrade Inside: Kenny Clark strengthens the run defense. | Defensive Identity Shift: Losing Parsons changes the way Dallas creates pressure. |
| Big-Game Experience: Multiple primetime appearances prepare Dallas for the spotlight. | Coaching Transition: Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach brings growing pains. |
Season Outlook & Playoff Chances
Sportsbooks set the Cowboys win total near seven, the lowest in more than two decades. Analysts are split. Some see a 9–8 season, others believe a 10–7 record is possible if the offense stays healthy.
The NFC East remains loaded. Philadelphia is still the favorite. Washington is a rising contender with Jayden Daniels. The Giants are in transition but can still pull off upsets.
Dallas will need to win tight games against playoff-caliber opponents like the Packers, Vikings and Chargers to stay alive in the Wild Card race. A realistic finish is 9–8, leaving Dallas right on the edge of the postseason.
The Cowboys have talent but also major questions. A 9–8 finish feels most realistic, keeping Dallas on the playoff bubble in 2025.
