2025 NFL Preview: Dallas Cowboys Season Outlook, Schedule & Prediction
2025 DALLAS COWBOYS SEASON PREVIEW
The Dallas Cowboys lost Dak Prescott to an injury in Week 9. Even before the loss of the starting quarterback, the team was falling quickly at 3-5. After a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night, the Cowboys would go onto lose five consecutive games before back-to-back division wins agains the Washington Commanders and New York Giants. Dallas ended up falling out of postseason contention and ended the year with seven victories.
OFFENSE
The Cowboys knew they needed help in many ways this offseason. Aside from overall health, the wide receiver room was a concern after CeeDee Lamb.
Dallas made a blockbuster deal to acquire George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickens, who has just one year left on his deal, will be a viable No. 2 option next to Lamb. The Cowboys also extended Jake Ferguson this offseason.
The Cowboys also needed to address the offensive line after losing both Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz at the most important positions. Tyler Booker was a first-round pick to join Cooper Beebe and Tyler Smith, who will likely remain at guard. This opens the door for Tyler Guyton to continue to grow at tackle.
Finally, the running back room has been a disaster for the Cowboys since the fall of Ezekiel Elliott. Tony Pollard looked like the next option until Dallas let him walk in free agency. Last year, Rico Dowdle did not take the role and run with it. This let to the Cowboys adding both Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams.
The Cowboys will go as far as Prescott takes them. The quarterback will need to remain healthy and on the field or the rest will not matter.
DEFENSE
The Cowboys finished 28th in yards allowed and 31st in total points allowed last season. Dallas remained near the top of the league in pressure rate.
Both statistics are reasons why Dallas must figure out how to keep Micah Parsons around.
Parsons missed four games last season but still finished with 12 sacks. Right now, he is unhappy with his contract situation and with Jerry Jones. It would be a complete mistake to let Parsons go entering the prime of his career.
Dallas made sure to improve on the edge. Osa Odigihizuwa finished with 4.5 sacks last season and will be a major factor for the defensive line. From there, Dallas needs Mazi Smith to step up. He was a big disappointment last season.
The Cowboys saw DeMarcus Lawrence leave but attempted to make up for it with the additions of Dante Fowler and Payton Turner. The team also drafted Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round.
The linebackers will continue to struggle as well — especially if Parsons is not available. DeMarvion Overshown is expected to miss a majority of 2025 as he recovers from a knee injury. This leaves the middle of the defense up to Kenneth Murray and Marist Liufau.
In the secondary, Trevon Diggs is recovering from a torn ACL as well. The Cowboys added Kaiir Elam and Shavon Revel (NFL Draft) this offseason to join DaRon Bland.
SCHEDULE
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday Night)
Week 2: vs. New York Giants
Week 3: at Chicago Bears
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday Night)
Week 5: at New York Jets
Week 6: at Carolina Panthers
Week 7: vs. Washington Commanders
Week 8: at Denver Broncos
Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals (Monday Night)
Week 10: BYE WEEK
Week 11: at Las Vegas Raiders (Monday Night)
Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Thanksgiving Day)
Week 14: at Detroit Lions (Thursday Night)
Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday Night)
Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17: at Washington Commanders (Christmas Day)
Week 18: at New York Giants
Record Prediction: 9-8