Predicting the result of every game on the Cowboys 2025 regular season schedule

The Dallas Cowboys‘ 2025 regular season schedule has been fully released. Like every year, the Cowboys are one of the biggest draws in the league, being featured on primetime on six separate occasions, the second-most in football behind the Kansas City Chiefs.

Today, two of our staff writers dive into Dallas’ schedule and take a shot at predicting the outcome of each game. Let us know your predictions in the comments section.

Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 4, at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Holleran: While I believe the Cowboys catch a break getting their road matchup against the Eagles in Week 1 versus later in the season, this will still be one of the more difficult games on Dallas’ schedule. I see this being a competitive matchup, but I don’t have enough faith in the Cowboys to pick them to get the upset here. Give me the Eagles to win this one, 26-20.

Current Record: 0-1

Howman: Starting out on the road against the Super Bowl champions is not exactly ideal, especially with so many new pieces in Dallas. I think the Cowboys look surprisingly competitive in this one, but the Eagles win.

Current Record: 0-1

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Holleran: If Jaxson Dart or even Jameis Winston are starting this game, I may feel differently, but a Russell Wilson-led Giants team should be a relatively easy bounce-back matchup for Dallas in Week Two. Give me the Cowboys, 28-17.

Current Record: 1-1

Howman: Losing the season opener hurts, but it’s easier to digest knowing that the Giants are up next on the schedule. Dak Prescott owns this franchise, and Russell Wilson is not good enough in 2025 to change that.

Current Record: 1-1

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21 at Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Holleran: The Bears may be one of the more improved teams in the league this season. I see Caleb Williams and the new-look Bears offense causing problems for Dallas’ defense and making this a high-scoring affair. Ultimately, Chicago gets the ball last and puts up points, delivering Dallas a devastating loss. Give me Chicago, 33-30.

Current Record: 1-2

Howman: I expect the Bears to be much better this year under Ben Johnson, but I’m not sure how up to speed they’ll be this early in the season. Chicago has some pieces, surely, but I think Micah Parsons will make life miserable for Caleb Williams and the Cowboys improve to 2-1 early on.

Current Record: 2-1

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28 vs Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Holleran: After a tough loss in Week 3, Dallas faces almost a must-win game against the Packers in Week 4. We see an inspired Cowboys team, looking to bounce back from the Chicago loss, come in and dominate this one from the start. Dallas flips the script from the two teams’ playoff matchup in 2024 and wins in a big way. Give me the Cowboys, 30-13.

Current Record: 2-2

Howman: The Cowboys are likely to be an underdog in this game, and fairly so, but the Packers have routinely struggled to start the season in recent years. I see that happening again, especially with so many new faces at WR, and Brian Schottenheimer gets a win to exorcise some demons early in his tenure

Current Record: 3-1

Week 5: Sunday, October 4, at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Holleran: The Cowboys have shown an ability to handle Justin Fields, no matter what team he’s on in recent matchups. This year is no different as the Cowboys’ defense leads them to a low-scoring win. Give me Dallas, 20-10.

Current Record: 3-2

Howman: If I’m right about the Packers game being a win, this schedule sets up very nicely for a hot start. The Jets are firmly in the first phase of a rebuild, and the Cowboys should be favored to win this game by a comfortable margin, which is how I expect it to go.

Current Record: 4-1

Week 6: Sunday, October 11, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Holleran: The Panthers may be more competitive this season, but this is a game in which Dallas will have a clear talent edge. Back-to-back road games at this point of the season won’t be an easy task, but Dallas is up to the challenge and earns their third-straight victory. Give me the Cowboys, 26-20.

Current Record: 4-2

Howman: I’ll start by saying I’m expecting big things out of the Panthers, and I specifically view head coach Dave Canales as a budding star in this league. That said, this team is still building things out, especially on defense, and I’m not sure they have the pieces to match the Cowboys just yet. Chalk up another win for Dallas, who moves to 5-1.

Current Record: 5-1

Week 7: Sunday, October 19, vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Holleran: While the Commanders did have an outstanding season last year, the Cowboys played very well against them in their two matchups. I see Dallas having the same success this year, keeping their winning streak intact, logging their fourth-straight victory. Give me Dallas, 27-24.

Current Record: 5-2

Howman: The Commanders officially moved into contender status last year, but they lost one game to the Cowboys and nearly lost the second one too. Dallas matches up well here, and with them riding a hot streak they’ll continue to roll and get the win

Current Record: 6-1

Week 8: Sunday, October 26, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Holleran: Something about the Denver Broncos brings out the worst in the Cowboys. For whatever reason, Denver has been Dallas’ kryptonite in recent memory, and that does not change this season. The winning streak ends with an abysmal performance from Dallas in Denver. Give me the Broncos, 33-13.

Current Record: 5-3

Howman: The Cowboys have so many bad memories against the Broncos lately, and I fully expect that to continue. I don’t believe in Bo Nix one bit, but that defense is legit and so is the altitude in Denver. The streak ends at Mile High and the Cowboys drop to 6-2.

Current Record: 6-2

Week 9: Monday, November 3, vs Arizona Cardinals, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Holleran: Kyler Murray has never lost a game in his playing career at AT&T Stadium. Arizona’s quarterback seems to be at his best playing on Dallas’ home field, and that trend will continue this November. The Cowboys’ hangover from their poor performance in Denver continues as Kyler Murray continues his undefeated streak at AT&T. Give me Arizona, 31-23.

Current Record: 5-4

Howman: The Cardinals have generally been a problem for the Cowboys in recent years, but most of those games come in Arizona. Not only that, but the Cardinals are still figuring things out, especially on defense. I see the Cowboys getting one more win before the bye.

Current Record: 7-2

Week 10: BYE WEEK

Week 11: Monday, November 17, at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Holleran: Dallas comes out of the bye week desperately needing a win in Las Vegas. The Raiders will be much improved this season, but Dallas should be able to put up some points against their defense. The Cowboys get a much-needed win to get back on track. Give me Dallas, 27-23.

Current Record: 6-4

Howman: I’m really excited for this one, given how much Schottenheimer has talked about Pete Carroll being one of his mentors. The Raiders should be sneaky good too, as Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty make a good duo and Maxx Crosby is a one man wrecking crew. For that reason, I think the Raiders get the upset here over a team coming off the bye.

Current Record: 7-3

Week 12: Sunday, November 23, vs Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Holleran: While recent history would indicate that the Cowboys and Eagles almost always split the season series, Philadelphia has so much returning talent this year, I don’t see how many teams, including Dallas, will beat them. The Cowboys play them tough again, but the Eagles get another win over their division rival. Give me Philly, 26-24.

Current Record: 6-5

Howman: My general rule of thumb for these things is predicting a series split against the Eagles, because that’s usually how it goes in the Prescott era. I also genuinely believe the Cowboys have the talent to beat the Eagles, especially at this point in the season with everyone gelling in the new schemes.

Current Record: 8-3

Week 13: Thursday, November 27, vs Kansas City Chiefs 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Holleran: The NFL did Dallas no favors by giving them matchups with both the Eagles and Chiefs in a five-day span. This will arguably be the toughest game on Dallas’ schedule, and I don’t see them being able to slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on such a short week. Dallas loses back-to-back games for the second time this year. Give me Kansas City, 26-17.

Current Record: 6-6

Howman: The Chiefs make for a great Thanksgiving opponent, and the game figures to be very entertaining, but I cannot in good conscience pick against Patrick Mahomes. Cowboys drop one on Thanksgiving.

Current Record: 8-4

Week 14: Thursday, December 4, at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. ET, Prime

Holleran: After two straight losses, Dallas’ matchup with the Lions in Week 14 turns into an almost must-win. After being embarrassed last year, the Cowboys get their payback this December as they come out and dominate the Lions from the opening kickoff. Give me Dallas, 37-20.

Current Record: 7-6

Howman: The road only gets tougher, going to Detroit to face a Lions team that should have already shaken off any rust from the disappointment of last season. The Lions lost both coordinators but retained their key stars on both sides, so I think this one ends up being a second straight loss for the Cowboys

Current Record: 8-5

Week 15: Sunday, December 14, vs Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Holleran: Fresh off a dominant performance in Detroit, the Cowboys get an almost ten-day break before hosting the Vikings in Week 15. I’m not high on J.J. McCarthy, and I believe the Vikings will be nearly out of the playoff picture once this matchup comes around. Dallas takes advantage of facing the young quarterback and wins a defensive battle. Give me the Cowboys, 17-13.

Current Record: 8-6

Howman: I don’t know what to make of the Vikings this year with J.J. McCarthy ascending to the starting role, but their defense should still be great. My hunch is that Matt Eberflus brings enough tricks up his sleeve to stifle former division foe Kevin O’Connell, while I’ll take Prescott in a duel against McCarthy any day. Cowboys win.

Current Record: 9-5

Week 16: Sunday, December 21, vs Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Holleran: The Chargers have had their own share of late-season struggles in recent years, but I see this being the season they finally get over the hump. Dallas runs into a Chargers team playing their best football of the season and suffers a key late-season loss. Give me Los Angeles, 30-27.

Current Record: 8-7

Howman: The Chargers are going to be good as long as Jim Harbaugh is in charge, but December is just not good to the bolts. With this being a road game early in the day (for the Chargers) I can see the Cowboys pulling off a close victory thanks to some Parsons magic against Justin Herbert.

Current Record: 10-5

Week 17: Thursday, Dec. 25, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. ET, Netflix

Holleran: If the Cowboys want any shot of making the playoffs, this game against Washington on Christmas Day becomes a must-win. Even on a short travel week, Dallas defies the odds, led by Dak Prescott tossing four touchdown passes, walking out with a huge win. Give me Dallas, 34-27.

Current Record: 9-7

Howman: A short turnaround and going to the nation’s capitol on Christmas day? That’s hardly an ideal turn of events in the calendar, even without considering how good the Commanders are now. Dallas drops this one, splitting the series.

Current Record: 10-6

Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 4, at New York Giants, TBD, TBD

Holleran: Week 18 comes around, and Dallas faces a win-and-you’re-in scenario against the Giants in New York. By this time of the season, Jaxson Dart is leading the Giants’ offense, making this a much more difficult matchup for the Cowboys than the first time around. In the end, Micah Parsons strip-sacks the rookie quarterback on the Giants’ final offensive play, clinching a victory and earning Dallas the final wild card playoff spot. Give me the Cowboys, 24-20.

Final Record: 10-7

Howman: The Cowboys end the season on a two game road trip, but at least it’s against division rivals they’re used to playing. And the Giants, at this point, may even be giving starter snaps to Jaxson Dart. Assuming the Cowboys don’t end up resting their starters in this one (that seems doubtful), they’ll beat the Giants without too much trouble, ending the season with a win.

Final Record: 11-6