It’s about that time of the year when fans will pull up their team’s schedule once again and proceed to make outlandish predictions for 2015.
You can be the judge on just how outlandish the following predictions are. To the left is the Dallas Cowboys 2015 schedule, ranked 24th in the league in difficulty (click for full size).
The Cowboys will appear in primetime four times this season, more than any other team.
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants 
2014 Season: 6-10
Vs. Cowboys: Lost both
The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys have a recent history of facing off in week 1 games. The Giants came to Dallas to open the 2013 season, and it was the Cowboys getting their first home win against the NFC East rival at AT&T Stadium.
The year before, the Cowboys opened in New York and defeated the Giants 24-17.
This year the teams will once again meet in Jerryworld to open the season on September 13th. The Cowboys swept the season series against the Giants last season, with Tony Romo throwing for a combined 7 touchdowns.
With expectations high for the Cowboys, I expect a big time opening performance at home. Look for Romo and Bryant to make a statement, and Dallas to start the season 1-0.
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys @ Philadephia Eagles 
2014 Season: 10-6
Vs. Cowboys: Split
Chip Kelly and the Eagles turned over the roster entering 2015, creating one of the biggest question mark teams entering the season. Amidst uncertainty, this match-up will be headlined by one thing- Demarco Murray facing his former team for the first time.
The Eagles will be a run-heavy team this year, that also upgraded a secondary that was abused in week 15 last season by the likes of Dez Bryant and Co.
However, the Cowboys run defense should be much improved (See point #4 in 5 Reasons Why Cowboys Repeat As NFC East Champions In 2015), and this game could be a big spot early in the season.
The difference between starting the season, and divisional play, 2-0 and 1-1 is huge. This will surely be a must watch game around the league.
Week 3: Dallas Cowboys vs. Atlanta Falcons 
2014 Season: 6-10
Vs. Cowboys: Did not play
After playing in Philly, the Cowboys will fly home to face the Atlanta Falcons in week 3.
Atlanta is coming off of a disappointing season but hired former Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as head coach during the off-season.
The Falcons could present a tough challenge, especially in the form of a let-down game after facing the NFC East in the first two weeks.
The secondary will certainly be tested by Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. The offensive line will face first round pick Vic Beasley and former Cowboy Justin Durant.
Should the Cowboys win, they could be set up in a prime spot entering a tough run between weeks 4 and 9.
Week 4: Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints 
2014 Season: 7-9
Vs. Cowboys: 38-17 loss
The Cowboys will face the NFC South for the second straight week when they travel to the Superdome in week 4 to play the Saints on Sunday Night Football.
It is clear that the Saints are not what they once were, but the Superdome will continue to be one of the league’s toughest places to play.
Drew Brees and the Saints offense will be a tall order for the Dallas defense. The Cowboys must have success running the football and keeping them off the field, which Demarco Murray was able to do in last season’s meeting.
If there is a game the Cowboys drop before week 5, it could very well be this one.
Week 5: Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots 
2014 Season: 12-4
Vs. Cowboys: Did not play
The Dallas defense welcomes Greg Hardy in what should be a match-up of the league’s best.
New England will be the first 2014 playoff team that the Cowboys face in 2015.
Expect the Cowboys defense to be rejuvenated with Hardy making his debut on the defensive line. They will also be facing a fired up Tom Brady should his four-game suspension be reduced by even a single game.
This has all the makings of a potential shoot-out in Dallas. Buckle up.
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Week 7: Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants The Cowboys are historically great coming off of a bye week, and they will travel to MetLife stadium to close out the season series with the Giants in week 7 after the bye.
Sweeping the season series for the second straight year would be huge, and it seems the schedule is favorable for the Cowboys to do just that.
Week 8: Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks 
2014 Season: 12-4
Vs. Cowboys: 30-23 loss
The Cowboys put themselves on the map last season with a 30-23 win in Seattle. This year they will see the Seahawks at home.
This game also means that Dallas will see both 2014 Super Bowl teams in AT&T stadium.
The storyline going in may very well be Seattle’s ‘Legion of Boom” defense against the Dallas WRs.
Hopefully coming off of a big win in New York, I expect the Cowboys post-bye-week momentum to continue in a big way against Seattle.
Week 9: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadephia Eagles
While the Cowboys hope to be hitting a second half stride, the Eagles will have the luxury of coming off a bye week to travel to Dallas in week 9.
A rested Demarco Murray will make his return to Dallas in a game that should have huge divisional implications. The game will be on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Dez Bryant stepped up against the Eagles last season, and they will need him to do the same in this primetime showdown.
Week 10: Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
2014 Season: 2-14
Vs. Cowboys: Did not play
The Cowboys will travel to Florida for a game in the sun a week after facing divisional rival Philadelphia. Some are painting the game as a dreaded “trap game” for this reason.
If the Cowboys want to prove themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, they will dominate this game against a team that finished with the worst record in the league in 2014.
The defense will see rookie QB Jameis Winston, the first rookie QB Dallas will face this season.
Week 11: Dallas Cowboys @ Miami Dolphins 
2014 Season: 8-8
Vs. Cowboys: Did not play
The Cowboys will continue their Florida trip when they play the Dolphins in week 11.
Miami added WR Devonte Parker in the draft in hopes of building a great offense around franchise QB Ryan Tannehill.
This game will test the secondary, which should be up for the challenge. Look for the Cowboys to come out of Florida 2-0, at worst 1-1.
Week 12: Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers 
2014 Season: 7-8-1
Vs. Cowboys: Did not play
The Cowboys will continue to be tested at home, against a Carolina team that presents a dual threat QB in Cam Newton.
This game will also close out the team’s play against the NFC South.
The Dallas defense has struggled against such QBs in the past, which makes this match-up intriguing.
I expect the Cowboys to be at around 7 or 8 wins at this point, so this game could prove to be a turning point as the team re-enters divisional play.
Week 13: Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins 
2014 Season: 4-12
Vs. Cowboys: Split
The Cowboys are 4-2 at home against the Redskins in the new stadium, with most of the meetings coming late in the year.
This will be the first divisional game for Dallas since week 9, so it will be important to stay on track in the NFC East as the season grinds to a close.
This will also be their first appearance of the season on ESPNs Monday Night Football.
This also may be a time in the season where running backs Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden begin to show fatigue based on their workload, so that will be something fans will want to keep a close eye on.
Week 14: Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers 
2014 Season: 12-4
Vs. Cowboys: Dez caught it (26-21 win)
The last time the Cowboys played in Green Bay…well we all don’t need me to finish this sentence. Something about Dez Bryant and a catch. At the goal line. In a divisonal playoff game…
Anyway, the Cowboys will return to the frozen tundra as Romo and Dez look for revenge against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack.
This will be the last 2014 playoff team the Cowboys see.
Week 15: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets
Week 15: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets2014 Season: 4-12
Vs. Cowboys: Did not play
The Cowboys will make their only Thursday Night Football appearance of the season on NFL Network against the Jets on December 19th.
The Jets new coaching staff and ownership has NY fans’ optimism at an all-time high. In a wide open AFC East, it’s hard to judge where this Jets team will be this late in the season.
One thing is for sure, they will bring an excellent defense that once again features Darrell Revis.
While Revis vs Bryant will be the headline match-up, I look for guys like Terrance Williams and Jason Witten to step up and complete the offense as the Cowboys make a playoff push.
Week 16: Dallas Cowboys @ Buffalo Bills 
2014 Season: 9-7
Vs. Cowboys: Did not play
Buffalo, like Green Bay, will be a very tough spot to play in late in the season. The Bills defense plays well at home and is great at forcing turnovers.
The Cowboys will need to prove they can win on the road in hostile environments if they want to make noise in the NFC playoffs. A win here would do just that.
Week 17: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins
The Cowboys will close out the regular season for the second straight year against NFC East foe Washington.
Let’s hope the division is once again clinched and the Cowboys can use this game for rest to enter the playoffs.
If not, Dallas should be up to the challenge and close out the season on a high note.
My 2015 Cowboys Record Prediction: 11-5
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Too high? Too low? Let me know below or on Twitter @ShoreSportsNJ!
Great article man. I just wanted to say that Tom Brady has a 4 game suspension, and since their bye week is prior to the Dallas game, this means that his fourth game to be suspended is against Dallas
Thanks, Adam. The week 5 section was updated to reflect Brady’s suspension accurately.