Full Cowboys schedule game-by-game predictions for 2023 season Opponent breakdowns prime-time games more
Full Cowboys schedule game-by-game predictions for 2023 season Opponent breakdowns prime-time games more
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The good news for the under head coach Mike McCarthy is that they have been winning in the regular season like it's the 1990s again: consecutive seasons with 12 victories in 2021 (12-5) and 2022 (12-5), with quarterback playing 12 or more games each season. The last two seasons mark the first consecutive Dallas seasons with 12 or more wins since the 1992-1995 seasons, when the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years with Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin leading the way.The bad news for the Silver and Blue is they've also been consistent in the playoffs the last two seasons, losing each time to the -- in the NFC wild-card round in 2021 and in the NFC divisional round in 2022. That has extended their record streak of consecutive playoff appearances without a conference championship game to 12 in a row.However, owner Jerry Jones began made some , trading late-round picks for quality veterans that can plug key roster roles. He did so in the deals to acquire wide receiver and cornerback . Both are in their roles as the team's number two receiver and number two cornerback. These moves were made on top of from a unit that allowed the fifth-fewest points (20.1 points per game) in the NFL in 2022.Then, Dallas had a by filling in remaining needs at defensive tackle, tight end, linebacker, defensive end and running back. While their pick of Michigan defensive tackle wasn't the greatest value add at that spot, it's a selection that should aide two-time First-Team All-Pro in the upcoming season. Their biggest value picks -- third-round Texas linebacker , fourth-round San Jose State defensive end Jr., and sixth-round Kansas State running back -- could all contribute as nice depth pieces in 2023 and factor into the Cowboys' longer-term plans in a bigger capacity down the line. Now, Dallas enters the 2023 regular season with a much-improved roster than the one they had at this time a year ago. With that in mind, here's a look at their official, 18-week schedule, followed by an examination of how their season could turn out and why the Cowboys will hit the over on their 9.5 win total.WeekOpponentKickoff Time (ET/CT)Network1at 8:20 p.m./7:20 p.m.NBC2vs 4:25 p.m./3:25 p.m.CBS3at 4:25 p.m./3:25 p.m.FOX4vs Patriots4:25 p.m./3:25 p.m. FOX5at 49ers8:20 p.m./7:20 p.m. NBC6at Chargers*8:15 p.m./7:15 p.m. ESPN7ByeN/AN/A8vs Rams1 p.m./NoonFOX9at Eagles4:25 p.m./3:25 p.m.FOX10vs Giants4:25 p.m./3:25 p.m. FOX11at Panthers1 p.m./Noon FOX12vs Commanders***4:30 p.m./3:30 p.m.CBS13vs Seahawks**8:15 p.m./7:15 p.m.Prime Video14vs Eagles8:20 p.m./7:20 p.m. NBC15at Bills4:25 p.m./3:25 p.m. FOX16at Dolphins4:25 p.m./3:25 p.m. FOX17vs Lions****8:15 p.m./7:15 p.m. ESPN/ABC18at TBDTBD* Monday Night Football** Thursday Night Football*** Thanksgiving**** SaturdayThe Cowboys have a chance to start the season off 3-1 or 4-0 given three of their first four games are against teams they should handle easily: the Giants, Cardinals, and Patriots. Their Week 7 bye is in a nice spot, giving them a breather after consecutive road games on the West Coast against 2022 playoff teams. After the bye, the degree of difficulty shoots upward. Below are the top-17 most notable items you'll need to takeaway from Dallas' 17 games.Bye: Week 76 prime-time games (T-most in NFL with Chargers, Chiefs, and Bills)Only two games played in first time slot on Sundays (1 p.m. ET)Two Thursday games, including Thanksgiving (back-to-back in Weeks 12 & 13)3 mini-bye weeks (post-Thanksgiving, post-Week 5, post-Week 17)4 road games in first six games prior to Week 7 bye5 home games in first seven games after Week 7 bye3 road games in final four contests to end regular seasonNo 3-game road tripsBack-to-back California road games in Weeks 5-6Significant climate shock in Weeks 15-16 (at Bills then at Dolphins)Matchups with both New York teams to start the seasonMatchups with all three NFC East rivals in first six weeksBack-to-back contests against last two NFC Champions after bye weekNFC East showdown vs. Commanders on Thanksgiving4-game stretch vs 2022 playoff teams after ThanksgivingRegular season finale vs. NFC East rivalTheir five-game stretch, four of which are against 2022 playoff teams, after a home date on Thanksgiving against the Washington Commanders will make or break the Cowboys' opportunity to win the NFC East. They have a full week off before playing again on a Thursday against the young, rapidly improving Seattle Seahawks, a playoff team a year ago. Dallas follows up that home contest with their final matchup against the NFC Champion Eagles in Week 14 on "Sunday Night Football." The next two are both road games against the top two AFC East teams from a year ago: the division champion Buffalo Bills and the track team that is the Miami Dolphins.After two games in completely different climates, the roller coaster ride ends in Week 17 on a short week: a Saturday night home game against the offseason darling Lions, a team that only mi sed the playoffs on a tiebreaker a season ago. It's crucial the Silver and Blue start strong in their first eight games, seven of which are before their Week 7 bye because the back half of their slate is absolutely stacked. The Cowboys' 2023 opponents have a combined record of 156-128-4, a win percentage of .549. That gives Dallas a strength of schedule that is tied for the fourth-most difficult in the upcoming season along with the New York Giants, as our John Breech. Only the (opponents' combined record of 161-123-4, .566 win pct), the (opponents' combined record of 158-127-2, .554 win pct), and New England Patriots (opponents' combined record of 156-128-3, .549 win pct) have tougher roads ahead in 2023.NFC EAST OPPONENTS NON-DIVISION OPPONENTS (NFC + AFC) NFC OPPONENTS (NON-DIVISION) 31-18-294-9247-55The NFC East sent three teams to the playoffs last season with the Commanders barely mi sing the postseason by a game plus tiebreakers, finishing as the NFC's ninth seed. Offensively, they should be improved with former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy calling plays as. Dallas' non-divisional schedule is formidable, facing the NFC West and AFC East divisions. That means matchups with 2022 playoff teams like the 49ers, the , Miami Dolphins, , and .That's on top of facing an additional crop of teams noticeably more potent in 2023 than they were in 2022: the New York Jets -- now the home of Dallas Cowboys' bogeyman --, the New England Patriots -- who now have a coach with NFL OC experience calling plays in Bill O'Brien -- and the -- equipped with a much stronger coaching staff and roster as Frank Reich and lead the charge. The could be more frisky in 2023 as they were in 2022. Their NFC opponents' record is deceptive because two teams, the 5-12 and the 4-13 Cardinals, are dragging that number down. The Rams should be a much more competitive group with simply better health in 2023.Per usual, the Cowboys will need to continue stacking up a number of wins inside the NFC East to buttre s their record against one of the tougher non-division schedules in the entire league. NFC games against the NFC West and the Lions will be equally critical since that group of five teams po se ses multiple franchises Dallas could be neck-and-neck with in the conference standings. Head-to-head matchups are the first tiebreaker the league uses for playoff seeding. Given that the Silver and Blue are much better in 2023, they have all the ingredients to start the season strong.Here are the breakdowns for each game, including score predictions:First meeting:Week 1 (MetLife Stadium) - Sunday, Sept. 10, 8:20 p.m ETSecond meeting: Week 10 (AT&T Stadium) - Sunday, Nov. 12, 4:25 p.m. ET2022 record: 9-7-1 (Lost in NFC Divisional Round at Philadelphia Eagles)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): Cowboys lead 5-1 NYG QB #8 The New York Giants have done a solid job of addre sing some of their biggest offensive holes: playmaking and the middle of their offensive line. Trading for and drafting 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner, best wide receiver, in Tenne see's provides a much-needed boost to ' pa s-catching unit. Coming away with one of the draft's top centers in Minnesota's was a huge win as well. Defensively, they're similarly improved with the and selection of first-round cornerback out of Maryland.These upgrades will make the Cowboys-Giants matchups in 2023 similarly competitive like they were in 2022, but once again, the Cowboys will earn a season sweep. Dallas is 5-1 against New York since hiring head coach Mike McCarthy with the lone lo s coming in a game started by during the 2020 season when quarterback Dak Prescott was injured. Speaking of Prescott, when he sees the big NY on those blue helmets, he ascends to another level like Aaron Rodgers did against the for over a decade. The Dallas starting quarterback has won his last 10 starts against the Giants, putting him in a club with Captain Comeback himself, Hall of Famer Roger Staubach, as the only quarterbacks since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger to win 10 consecutive starts against the G-Men. Defensively, the Dallas has more than enough speed to keep Daniel Jones and in front of them, plus much-improved secondary with the addition of Gilmore to keep their aerial attack in check as well.Dak Prescott last 10 starts vs. GiantsW-L10-0*Pa s YPG275.5TD-INT22-5Pa ser Rating109.7The Cowboys run Prescott's streak to 12 in 2023 with their revamped roster, including Cooks as a safety value opposite . That would break Staubach's record of 11 straight wins against the Giants from 1974-1979.Week 1 prediction: 24-20, CowboysWeek 10 prediction:42-24, Cowboys Date & Time:Week 2 (AT&T Stadium) - Sunday, Sept. 17, 4:25 p.m. ET2022 record: 7-10Aaron Rodgers career W-L vs Cowboys: 8-2 (Won 31-28 vs Cowboys in OT in Week 10 last season) NYJ QB #8 In case you weren't aware, Dallas Cowboys' bogeyman. His move from the to the New York Jets creates another matchup between the four-time NFL MVP and the Cowboys that wouldn't have happened in 2023 were he still a Packer. Instead, the Silver and Blue get to face a quarterback who has won eight of his 10 starts against the franchise while throwing 18 touchdowns to only two interceptions in those games. It will be a significant early-season test for Dan Quinn's defense, going from facing Daniel Jones in Week 1 to Rodgers in Week 2. He led the Packers to a31-28 overtime victory in 2022, after trailing 28-14 entering the fourth quarter, with a broken thumb on his throwing hand. Rodgers completed 14 of his 20 pa ses for 224 yards and three touchdowns.Aaron Rodgers career vs. Cowboys, including playoffsW-L8-2Pa s YPG263.4TD-INT18-2Pa ser Rating104.8The Jets were a quarterback away from making noise in 2022 thanks to their top-five scoring defense (18.6 points per game allowed, fourth-best in NFL) and young playmakers (2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year and running back ), so as long as New York's offensive line can keep Rodgers in good enough health entering this contest, they have a great chance of ruining another Cowboys' Sunday.Week 2 prediction:34-28, Jets Date & Time:Week 3 (State Farm Stadium) - Sunday, Sept. 24, 4:25 p.m ET2022 record: 5-12Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): Tied 1-1 ARI QB #1 The Arizona Cardinals are rebuilding. They fired general manager Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury and brought in new general manager Monti O senfort from the and new head coach Jonathan Gannon from the Philadelphia Eagles. Their defense allowed the second-most points per game in the entire league (26.4), and they might have one of the worst front seven's in the NFL. That's on top of their defensive leader, safety ,in the event Arizona doesn't make him the highest-paid at his position.Offensively, face of the franchise quarterback tore his ACL and meniscus in the first season after signing a five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022. Thanks to those injuries, iat the start of the 2023 season Lukas Parik Kids Jersey . That means the Cowboys could be facing soon-to-be 37-year-old or 2023 fifth-round pick quarterback . If that's the case, expect Parsons, Diggs, Lawrence, and Gilmore to stuff the stat sheet in a Dallas blowout.Week 3 prediction:45-17, CowboysDate & Time:Week 4 (AT&T Stadium) - Sunday, Oct. 1, 4:25 p.m. ET2022 record: 9-8 (Lost in NFC Wild Card Round 41-23 at San Francisco 49ers)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): Cowboys defeated Patriots 35-29 (OT) in Week 6, 2021 JAC QB #10 The New England Patriots wasted a year of 2021 first-round pick quarterback' development in 2022 afteras his offensive play-caller. Those dark days are now over in New England after head coach Bill Belichick brought back Bill O'Brien for a second stint as the Patriots offensive coordinator after he spent time away as the Penn State head coach (2012-2013), thehead coach (2014-2020), and as the Alabama offensive coordinator (2021-2022). However, there are still plenty of questions as to what Jones will look like in Year 3 in the NFL given his up-and-down 2022 and swapping his favorite target, wide receiver Jakobi Myers, for.Defensively, the Pats should hover around the top ten in scoring in 2023 like they did in 2022 (20.4 points per game allowed, 11th in NFL) thanks to Belichick going defense with the team's first three picks in the most recent draft: Oregon cornerback17th overall (arguably the cornerback prospect with the highest ceiling in the 2023 NFL Draft), Georgia Tech edge rusher46th overall, and Sacramento State linebacker(76th overall).Belichick's defense should test Prescott's decision-making, but the Cowboys have too much firepower for Jones to keep up. Dallas wins by multiple scores, a departure from their overtime battle in New England two years ago that created one of the most memorable moments of CeeDee Lamb's career: his wave goodbye to Patriots cornerbackafter scoring the game-winning, 35-yard score in overtime. Week 4 prediction:35-17, Cowboys Date & Time:Week 5 (Levi's Stadium) - Sunday, Oct. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET2022 record: 13-4 (Lost in NFC Championship Game 31-7 at Philadelphia Eagles)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-2 (both lo ses have come in the postseason in 2021 and 2022) SF DE #97 Despite the quarterback uncertainty after elbow injury in the San Francisco 49ers' season-ending, 31-7 NFC Championship Game defeat, they still boast one of the NFL's most complete rosters. They could probably sign a random fan the week before a game and have that person play quarterback well enough to escape with a win. Having a cast of playmakers like wide receivers and , tight end , and running backs and with head coach Kyle Shanahan calling plays allows for whoever their quarterback is to pre s buttons like they're playing Madden in order to string together succe sful plays with ease.Defensively, they not only return nearly of their starters from the NFL's top defense of 2022, but they strengthened their defensive tackle spot, their biggest weakne s, in free agency after signing former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowler to a four-year, $84 million contract.49ers defense in 2022 regular seasonNFL RankPPG Allowed16.3*1stTotal YPG Allowed300.61stTakeaways30T-2ndWhen Hargrave lined up in the defensive tackle spot on the Eagles' defensive line in 2022, he registered 9.0 sacks (tied for the most in the NFL at the position) and totaled the highest quarterback pre sure percentage (14%) , also the most in the league at that spot. San Francisco had dreadful production out of their defensive tackle position when rushing the pa ser, tying for the fewest sacks (1.0). They also ranked 11th in pre sure rate (7%). Putting Hargrave next to 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and 49ers defensive end , whose 18.5 sacks led the NFL and whose 90 quarterback pre sures co-led the NFL along with Micah Parsons, will give opposing quarterbacks nightmares all season long.In the Cowboys' second consecutive playoff lo s to the 49ers, one of thesince Dallas lacked a viable number two option. With Brandin Cooks now onboard, his presence should erase the i sue. As long as the Cowboys' offensive line can hold up against Bosa, Hargrave, and , Dallas can leave Levi's Stadium with smiles on their faces.Week 5 prediction:23-16, Cowboys Date & Time:Week 6 (SoFi Stadium) - Monday, Oct. 16, 8:15 p.m ET2022 record: 10-7 (Lost AFC Wild Card Round 31-30 at)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-0 (Cowboys defeated the Chargers 20-17 in Week 2 of the 2021 season) LAC QB #10 It's therevenge game! After four years of Moore running the Cowboys offense, three under head coach Mike McCarthy, the head coach's desire to call plays again like he did with the Green Bay Packers led to Moore's departure. He wasn't unemployed for long as Chargers head coach Brandon Staley quickly handed Moore the keys to the Chargers offense soon thereafter. Moore paired with quarterback, who has the most pa sing yards (14,089) through a player's first three seasons in NFL history and the second-most pa sing touchdowns (94) through a player's first three seasons in NFL history, will likely lead to many more fireworks at SoFi Stadium.Los Angeles ranked 13th in scoring offense (23.0 points per game) in 2022 despite having Herbert, running back-- the NFL's scrimmage touchdowns leader in each of the last two seasons -- and an outstanding wide receiver duo ofand. That duo has since become a trio with 2023 first-round pick(21st overall) out of TCU now onboard. In Moore's four seasons (2019-2022) calling plays for the Cowboys, Dallas ranked second in scoring offense (27.7 points per game) and total offense (391.0 total yards per game) behind only the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs (28.8 points per game and 401.5 total yards per game). Herbert has one of the NFL's strongest arms, and his right arm will test the Cowboys secondary's depth all game long.If the Chargers enter this game healthy along their offensive line, a huge IF given their injury woes the last couple of seasons, they hang on and hold serve at home in one of the more exciting games of the 2023 regular season.Week 6 prediction:38-34, ChargersDate & Time:Week 8 (AT&T Stadium) - Sunday, Oct. 29, 1:00 p.m ET2022 record: 5-12Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): Tied 1-1 LAR DE #99 The Los Angeles Rams are in a similar spot in 2023 that they were in 2022: top-heavy with stars like wide receiver-- the 2021 NFL Offensive Player and Super Bowl LVI --, defensive lineman-- a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year -- and quarterback, whose 52,082 career pa sing yards are the 11th-most all-time. What's different is they're now without Pro Bowl cornerback, after, and 2022 free-agent prize wide receiver, following their move to, this offseason.With no first-round pick once again and minimal cap space, the Rams only roster improvement tool was the 2023 NFL Draft, starting in Round 2. They came away with two Week 1 starters in rounds two and three respectively: TCU consensus All-American offensive linemanand Tenne see All-SEC outside linebacker. As long as Cowboys cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore can limit Cooper Kupp's production, Dallas should waltz to victory in 2023 like running backdid on his 57-yard touchdown run in their 22-10 Week 5 victory at SoFi Stadium in 2022. Tony Pollard FLIES through the hole and takes it ALL THE WAY for the touchdown!The Cowboys answer the Rams call with their own explosive play. | | Brandon Carr (@bcarr_13) Week 8 prediction:27-13, Cowboys First meeting:Week 9 (Lincoln Financial Field) - Sunday, Nov. 5, 4:25 p.m ETSecond meeting (Christmas Eve): Week 14 (AT&T Stadium) - Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:20 p.m. ET2022 record: 14-3 (LostLVII vs Kansas City Chiefs)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): Cowboys lead 4-2 PHI QB #1 The Philadelphia Eagles have the most complete roster in football, rich in depth up and down the roster like Scrooge McDuck is with money.They lost Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to the NFC runner-up San Francisco 49ers on a, but general manager Howie Roseman maneuvered his way up one spot from the 10th overall to ninth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, by sending a 2024 fourth-rounder to the Chicago Bears, to select Georgia defensive tackle, who was once the draft's highest-touted prospect prior to legal i sues. The rest of the Eagles' starters from a unit that led the NFL in sacks (70) have otherwise all returned. Philadelphia's offensive line is similarly buttre sed with 2022 second round picksliding into the right guard spot vacated byto the.Since the Eagles still po se s one of the NFL's best lines on each side of the ball, they're still in position to dominate their opposition. MVP runner-up quarterback' contract situation being resolved early locks the Eagles into a position of stability offensively that should allow their pa sing game to continue to make strides to catch up to their dominant ground game -- now led by trade acquisitionand former first-round running back-- in 2023, Hurts' third season as a full-time starting quarterback.The Cowboys and Eagles split their 2022 season matchups with each team winning at home with the losing team utilizing a back-up quarterback in both games. Even if Dak Prescott and Hurts are both present for each game in this heated rivalry next season, expect a season split once again. Each of these teams have two of Rob Blake Men Jersey the better rosters in the entire league.Week 9 prediction: 31-27, Eagles Week 14 prediction:24-20, CowboysDate & Time:Week 11 (copyright Stadium) - Sunday, Nov. 19, 1:00 p.m ET2022 record: 7-10Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-0 (Cowboys defeated the Panthers 36-28 in Week 4 of the 2021 season) CAR QB #9 The Carolina Panthers finally halted their veteran stop-gap carousel at the quarterback position in 2023 by trading up to select 2021 Heisman Trophy winner. They did a nice job surrounding him with decent offensive talent this offseason with the signings of receiversand, tight end, and Pro Bowl running back. The second round draft selection of Ole Mi s wideoutwas a nice grab as he was one of the more athletically gifted receivers in the entire 2023 NFL Draft.Defensively, it's much of the same plus the signing of strong safety. Carolina could be a team on the rise in a couple years, but with Young being put in development behind veteran quarterback, the Cowboys shouldn't have much of a problem steamrolling them in 2023.Week 11 prediction:31-13, Cowboys First meeting:Week 12 (AT&T Stadium) - Thursday, Nov. 23, 4:30 p.m ET (Thanksgiving)Second meeting: Week 18 (FedExField) - Sunday, TBD. TBD, Time TBD2022 record: 8-8-1Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): Tied 3-3 WAS WR #17 The Washington Commanders are a team in which much has changed and much has remained the same. The changes are a re-tooled secondary for a team that had a top ten defense as year ago (20.2 points per game allowed, seventh-best in NFL). Washington utilized their first two picks in the 2023 Draft on a couple of cornerbacks: Mi si sippi State's (16th overall, six interception return touchdowns are the most in FBS history) and Illinois' (47th overall). Those two along with holdover should make the Commanders secondary that allowed 60 pa sing touchdowns acro s the last two seasons, tied for the most in the NFL, more intimidating, whenever the two rookies get fully adjusted to life in the NFL. The further away from a torn ACL the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and former second overall draft pick defensive end gets, the better he should play in 2023. Young will likely play with his hair on fire especially since he's entering a contract year after having his fifth-year option declined.The Commanders' offensive side of the ball is largely unchanged except for the quarterback position, which will feature 30-year-old journeyman , who registered a career-high 88.9 pa ser rating with the in 2022, or 2022 fifth-round pick . His one career game was Week 18 of last season against the Cowboys when they had their playoff seeding already locked in. He played well enough in a 26-6 victory that his defense put on lock, completing 11 of his 19 pa ses for 169 yards with a pa sing touchdown, an interception plus a nine-yard rushing score. Their defense is a worthy challenger to almost every offense in the league, but Micah Parsons, , and Dorrance Armstrong should be able to wreak havoc on whichever quarterback Washington puts out onto the field with a strong cornerback duo of and Stephon Gilmore backing them up against Pro Bowl receiver and company.Week 12 prediction: 35-14, CowboysWeek 18 prediction:23-13, Cowboys Date & Time:Week 13 (AT&T Stadium) - Thursday, Nov. 30, 8:15 p.m. ET2022 record: 9-8 (Lost in NFC Wild Card Round 41-23 at San Francisco 49ers)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): Seahawks defeated Cowboys 38-31 in Week 3, 2020 SEA QB #7 The 2022 Seattle Seahawks were like finding a crumpled $20 in your jeans pocket after taking them out of the washing machine -- a pleasant surprise. After trading, once their longtime face-of-the-franchise quarterback, to thein exchange for three players (QB, TEand DL) along with five draft picks (two firsts, two seconds and one fifth), it appeared as if the team was punting on the 2022 season. However, with Wilson's former backup,, outplaying Seattle's only Super Bowl champion quarterback in Year 1 of the divorce, Seattle snuck into the seventh and final NFC playoff spot at 9-8, becoming one of only two teams this season to reach the playoffs and have multiple first-round picks, joining the NFC champion.With Wilson and now-formerhead coach Nathaniel Hackett not jelling, Smith had an incredibly low bar to clear in order to outplay his predece sor last season. However, he did more than just outplay him: Smith played at a top-10 quarterback level to earn the first Pro Bowl selection of his nine-year career at 32 years old. Simply an unfathomable outcome at this time one year ago. The longtime backup led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8%), set the Seahawks' single-season pa sing yards record (4,282) and ranked in the top five in the entire league in both pa sing touchdowns and pa ser rating. While initially viewed as a stopgap, Smith earned himself a big-money deal: three years for a total of $75 million.in 2022 seasonNFL RANKComp Pct69.8%*1stPa s Yards4,282*8thPa s TD304thPa ser Rating100.95thTheir incredibly succe sful youth movement was also a huge reason for their succe s as Seahawks rookies combined to start 70 games this season, tied for the most by any playoff team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, tying the 2018.Seattle had the rookie leader in starts, snaps played, rushing yards, forced fumbles and interceptions in 2022, meaning general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll can take a victory lap as they evaluate how well they cleaned up in the 2022 NFL Draft.Seahawks' top six picks in 2022 NFL DraftROUND (PICK NUMBER)PLAYERKEY STAT1 (9)OT17 starts*2 (40)DE3.0 sacks2 (41)RB1,050 rush yards*3 (72)OT16 starts4 (109)CB4 forced fumbles*5 (153)CB6 interceptions*Their 2023 NFL Draft continued to fill in a number of critical positions of need up and down the roster with two first-round picks after reaching the playoffs. Seattle came away with Illinois All-American cornerbackfifth overall, who allowed the fewest yards/pa s attempt allowed (3.0) as the primary defender in 2022, minimum 50 targets, and Ohio State wide receiver, who set the college football bowl game receiving yards record with 347 against Utah in the 2021 Rose Bowl.The Seahawks spent the rest of the draft filling out their lines on both offense and defense with the exception of taking UCLA running backin Round 2 (52nd overall), Georgia running backin Round 7, and safety Jerrick Reed in Round 6 (198th overall). Seattle will likely be one of 2023's most improved teams just as they were one of 2022's most improved teams. Their trio at receiver of Pro Bowlersandplus Smith-Njigba, and their punishing ground game led bycould give Dallas some trouble. With three potent cornerbacks in Witherspoon,, and, the Seahawks can match their personnel effectively with the Cowboys wide receiver group of 2022 Second-Team All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and.If Smith picks up right where he left off in 2022, the Cowboys could be susceptible to a home upset.Week 13 prediction:24-21, Seahawks Date & Time:Week 15 (Highmark Stadium) - Sunday, Dec. 17, 4:25 p.m. ET2022 record: 13-3 (Lost in AFC Divisional Round 27-10 vs)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): 0-0 (first matchup since Thanksgiving 2019 when the Bills won 26-15 in Arlington, Texas) BUF QB #17 The Buffalo Bills have been one of the NFL's most dominant teams acro s the last three regular seasons, leading the league in points per game (29.4) and points allowed per game (19.4) in that span. However, they have come up short in the postseason, losing to the two teams to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl acro s the last three years: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.Quarterbackonce again had a phenomenal season in 2022, ranking second in the entire league to only MVPin total yards (5,045) and total touchdowns (42). The i sue was he also led the league in turnovers with 19, 14 interceptions (tied for the third-most in the NFL) and five fumbles lost (tied for the second-most in the NFL). With Allen becoming erratic as Buffalo asked him to be their number two running back -- his 124 carries and 762 rushing yards were the second-most on the team while his seven rushing scores led the Bills -- behind, general manager Brandon Beane prioritized making his life easier in the 2023 NFL Draft. Buffalo selected the draft's top pa s-catching tight end, Utah's, 25th overall, and one of the draft's top offensive guards, Florida's59th overall (Round 2), with their first two picks. Andy Andreoff Kids Jersey Providing Allen with another weapon in the pa sing game plus better blocking up front should reduce his giveaways. Defensively, it's much of the same for 2022's number two scoring defense (17.9 points per game allowed) with the hope that 34-year-old All-Pro linebackercan bounce back from a torn ACL to give their pa s rush the boost they hoped for when they gave him a six-year, $120 million contract in free agency last offseason. The Cowboys facing off against one of the NFL's best on the road will be a tough task, and there's no shame in coming a play or two short while losing on a game-winning field goal. Week 15 prediction:27-24, BillsDate & Time:Week 16 (Hard Rock Stadium) - Sunday, Dec. 24, 4:25 p.m ET2022 record: 9-8 (Lost in AFC Wild Card Round 34-31 at Buffalo Bills)Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): 0-0 (first matchup since Week 3, 2019 when the Cowboys won 31-6 with starting for Miami) MIA QB #1 How scary the Miami Dolphins are comes down to one simple question: Will quarterback be healthy? When he did play in head coach Mike McDaniel's offense in the 2022 regular season, the Dolphins averaged 6.5 yards per play, the highest by any starting quarterback's offense among pa sers with at least 10 starts. The team lost three of its four games without Tagovailoa while he was dealing with concu sions.Dolphins by starting QB in 2022 regular seasonTagovailoaBridgewater/ThompsonW-L8-51-3PPG25.516.3Yards/Play6.5*5.2Tagovailoa has been this offseason in order to learn how to fall more safely to avoid concu sions, but it's hard to know at this point how much of a difference the training will make for his 17-game availability. Outside of Tagovailoa, the offense is once again loaded with the same speedy cast of characters: 2022 First-Team All-Pro wide receiver , wide receiver , wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, running back , and running back Jr. The team also added the electric Texas A&M running back and returner in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft, giving McDaniel plenty of options to wreak havoc with gamebreakers all over the field.Defensively, the Dolphins should be much improved after ranking 24th in scoring defense (23.5 points per game) in 2022 thanks to the additions of defensive coordinator and All-Pro cornerback . Fangio's defenses have ranked inside the top 10 in scoring in four of his last five seasons calling defensive plays. As for Ramsey, despite the Rams' struggles in 2022, it wasn't because of him. He was Pro Football Focus' third-highest graded cornerback last season with a grade of 86.4, trailing only 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Year of the Year andcornerback(87.9) as well as2022 First-Team All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II (86.8). Pairing him with Pro Bowl cornerbackand their promising, 23-year-old safetygives Miami one of the best defensive backfields in the entire NFL. With a much improved defense and a healthy Tagovailoa, Miami can give Dallas quite a fight. In the end, the Cowboys' defense gets the game-sealing stop with Micah Parsons forcing Tagovailoa into a bad throw that Dallas' improved secondary easily swats away.Week 16 prediction:31-28, Cowboys Date & Time:Week 17 (AT&T Stadium) - Saturday, Dec. 30, 8:15 p.m. ET2022 record: 9-8Series Record Since 2020 (when Cowboys hired head coach Mike McCarthy): 1-0 (Cowboys defeated the Lions 24-6 in Week 7 of the 2022 season) DET QB #16 The Detroit Lions are the 2023 offseason's "it" team. They are currently the odds-on favorite to win the NFC North (+145) and their +2500 odds to win the Super Bowl are their second-shortest preseason odds in the last 25 years. The NFL even included them in the 2023 season opener against the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs! Detroit won eight of their final 10 games in 2022, which included eliminating Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers from playoff contention in the final game of the regular season on "Sunday Night Football." Quarterback resurgence helped power a top-five scoring offense (26.6 points per game, fifth-best in NFL) as he led the entire league in touchdown to interception ratio, 29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. Goff closed out the season on fire, throwing 15 touchdowns and no interceptions in the Lions' final nine games. His 324 consecutive pa ses without an interception mark the longest such streak in franchise history. Jared Goff's Lions careerFirst 22 GamesLast 9 GamesW-L5-16-17-2Pa s Yards/Att6.97.7TD-INT33-1515-0Pa ser Rating91.6105.9Goff's connection with 2021 fourth-round pick wide receiver shined bright as he broke out with 106 receptions, 1,161 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns, which led to the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. According to , St. Brown led the NFL with an 18% succe s rate per target given the total amount of routes run, meaning the second-year wideout made the most of the chances he received from Goff given all of the chances he could have received.Their offseason moves have only added to the hype train. Detroit swiftly addre sed their secondary, which surrendered the third-most pa sing yards per game (245.8) in the league, through free agency -- signing cornerbacks (three years, $33 million), (one year, $6 million) and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (one-year, $6.5 million, co-led NFL with six interceptions) -- and the draft -- selecting the 2023 NFL Draft's top safety, Alabama's , in the second round, 45th overall. General manager Brad Holmes also bolstered Goff's weapons, adding Iowa tight end with the 34th overall pick in the draft and bringing back wide receiver , whose 36 receiving touchdowns with Detroit are the third-most in team history behind Hall of Famer (83) and Herman Moore (62). The draft's first inside linebacker selected, Iowa's at 18th overall, is the type of player head coach Dan Campbell dreams about anchoring the middle of his defense. The selection of Alabama running back , 12th overall, could give their offense the all-purpose juice they didn't get enough of from the now-traded D'Andre Swift.While the Lions have a great chance to become the NFC's new kings in the north, their overhauled secondary won't get enough stops against quarterback Dak Prescott and his wide receiver trio of CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup.Week 17 prediction:27-20, Cowboys A third consecutive 12-5 season feels right for an upgraded Cowboys roster that filled their biggest needs in a smart, cost-effective way this offseason. Each of their five projected lo ses will likely be close, so there's a chance 13-4 is in the cards. Having to face Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert in their AFC slate is a tough draw, but Dallas is poised to run roughshod through one of the more watered down NFC lineups in recent memory.All that's left is to wait until their Week 1 season opener against the Giants. It's only117 days away, but who's counting?Cowboys 2023 record: 12-5Conference record: 10-2Non-conference record: 2-3Division record: 5-1Home record: 6-2Away record: 6-3
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