The official schedule release is upon us, but we already know each team’s list of opponents for the upcoming season. The Dallas Cowboys‘ opponents include some of their typical NFC East rivals, but also some unique foes like the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.
This year’s rotation will see the Cowboys face off against the NFC West and the AFC East. The remaining three games on their schedule will come against the remaining two NFC teams that finished second in their division, as well as their “17th game crossover” against the Los Angeles Chargers, who finished second in the AFC West in 2022.
Cowboys Opponents at Home in 2023
- Detroit Lions
- Los Angeles Rams
- New England Patriots
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Seattle Seahawks
- Washington Commanders
Cowboys Opponents on the Road in 2023
- Arizona Cardinals
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- San Francisco 49ers
- Washington Commanders
Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts to take on Cowboys
Although the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East last year with 12 wins, schedule makers don’t seem to have given them any favors this time around. Some of the quarterbacks that this elite Cowboys defense will need to face off against include Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts.
That is a list of opponents that would put fear in even the best of defenses.
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Luckily for the Cowboys, they managed to retain their defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn and added some much-needed depth in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the selection of Michigan’s DT Mazi Smith. During free agency, Dallas bolstered their secondary with the acquisition of veteran CB Stephon Gilmore.
Although the defense is on pace to continue to be one of the better in the NFL, the offense also took steps to improve. With a glaring hole across from WR CeeDee Lamb, Dallas traded for the much underrated Brandin Cooks. However, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine for “America’s Team” as the Cowboys lost key contributors on their offensive line as well as RB Ezekiel Elliott.
Cowboys’ Schedule Isn’t As Bad as it Looks
Although some of the talent the team will face looks intimidating at first, a deeper look at Dallas’ schedule shows that things might not be as dire as first thought. Yes, they have some elite offenses to go against, including two games against the team that just took the Chiefs right to the edge during Super Bowl 57.
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However, they also have some teams that clearly have questions heading into the season. The Washington Commanders are transitioning to a new QB in Sam Howell. The Carolina Panthers will be starting a rookie in Bryce Young. The Patriots are in turmoil at the QB position. And both the Cardinals and 49ers might have backups playing if their starters are not healthy in time.
Needless to say, the Cowboys’ opponents will put up a challenge, but there will be plenty of spots on their schedule where they will be favored.