Ranking the 2024 Cowboys Opponents: Easiest to Most Challenging
The Cowboys will need to get past some really talented teams in 2024. Let's take a closer look at the 2024 schedule.
Opinion
The Cowboys are coming off an incredible 2023 regular season, followed by an unfathomable loss in the Wild Card round against the Green Bay Packers. Expectations for the 2024 squad seem to have ranged from cautiously optimistic, to downright doomer. Here's my view on the 2024 schedule in terms of difficulty, going from easiest (#17) to hardest (#1).
#17) @ Carolina Panthers - Week 15
(2-15 in 2023)
This Panthers team is still very much in the midst of a rebuild, and unfortunately for them, Bryce Young has not yet proven to be a reliable cornerstone to build off of. The Cowboys will be on the road against the Panthers for the second year in a row, hoping to repeat with another win like their 33-10 route last November.
#16) New York Giants - Week 13
(6-11 in 2023)
Hot take: Drew Lock will be the starting QB for the Giants on Thanksgiving in Jerry World. In their visit to Texas last season, the Cowboys left no doubt in their 49-17 route of their longtime division rivals. I predict the Cowboys win their 34th game on Thanksgiving Day to bring their all time record on the holiday to 34-22-1.
#15) @ New York Giants - Week 4
(6-11 in 2023)
Back to back entries for the G-Men on this list. I just think this team has a way to go. Malik Nabers has looked like a great addition so far, but the rest of the team is still a question mark. In week 4, the Cowboys should be pretty healthy and coming off a few early season tests. I think they'll sweep the Giants again in 2024.
#14) @ Washington Commanders - Week 12
(4-13 in 2023)
Dan Quinn's first matchup with his former team should be an interesting one. The Commanders had a great draft and, in my opinion, have put together an interesting young roster for fans to look forward to for years to come. I think the Cowboys will have an easier time against the Commies in Week 12 than in Week 18, when a young, talented team with a full season of chemistry built and nothing to lose (presumably) rolls into town. More on that later.
#13) New Orleans Saints - Week 2
(9-8 in 2023)
The Saints have some decent pieces. I think their defense, lead by Chase Young and Tyrann Mathieu, could cause the Cowboys some problems. Not to mention seasoned vet Derek Carr at QB.
However, I think Dallas has the much better roster and should be able to handle business at home.
#12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Week 16
(9-8 in 2023)
The defending NFC South champs roll into town in Week 16 with Texas native Baker Mayfield at QB. The Bucs have a solid roster, not bad. Not conference contenders, but they'll compete for the NFC South again this year. They won't be pushovers, but this shouldn't be too much for the Cowboys to handle.
#11) Washington Commanders - Week 18
(4-13 in 2023)
As mentioned before, I think this will be the tougher of the two matchups against Washington despite the game being at home. Their 2nd overall pick, QB Jayden Daniels, and company will have had all season to gel and build chemistry. Just look at how CJ Stroud progressed last season for the Texans.
Furthermore, Dan Quinn is familiar with this Cowboys squad, and will know how to have his team ready.
#10) @ Atlanta Falcons - Week 9
(7-10 in 2023)
The Falcons are looking to compete for the NFC South this season after the addition of Kirk Cousins in the offseason. RB Bijan Robinson had a stellar rookie season and he'll look to build on that in 2024. The Falcons are a talented team, and playing on the road in the NFL is never easy.
#9) @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Week 5
(10-7 in 2023)
In this classic NFL matchup the Cowboys will have a tough road challenge. Pittsburgh is no easy place to play, and their defense is top of the league. Expect TJ Watt to test rookie OT Tyler Guyton as much as he can. The biggest question for the Steelers, who appear to be a QB away from contending, is whether or not they found that QB in Russell Wilson (or Justin Fields).
#8) @ Cleveland Browns - Week 1
(11-6 in 2023)
The Cowboys get a tough road test to start the season. Myles Garrett vs Tyler Guyton will be the matchup to watch, with low expectations. If Guyton performs well in Week 1, I'll be very excited.
Overall, I'm looking to see the offense perform well and protect the ball in a tough road environment to start the season. On the defensive side of the ball, let's see how this Mike Zimmer defense does and if they can get out to a hot start against Deshaun Watson and the Browns.
#7) Cincinnati Bengals - Week 14
(9-8 in 2023)
I'm sure many readers expected to find the Bengals higher up on this list, but I have them at #7 for a few reasons. First and foremost, this is going to be a pretty difficult game. Cincy is getting Joe Burrow back, and he'll be returning to one of the most explosive offenses in the league.
I'm expecting a shootout, similar to the Seahawks game last season. The Bengals ranking has more to do with the strength of the Cowboys schedule, than them being an average team. Look for the Bengals to compete for the AFC.
#6) Houston Texans - Week 11
(10-7 in 2023)
The defending AFC South champs with ROTY CJ Stroud at QB will be coming to AT&T Stadium in Week 11. This is going to be the most anticipated Texas Showdown in a long time, and between the Cowboys and Texans, this may be their most talented matchup ever.
Bonus - we're finally (knock on wood) getting the Trevon Diggs/Stefon Diggs matchup NFL fans have been looking forward to since they each came into the league.
#5) Philadelphia Eagles - Week 10
(11-6 in 2023)
I want to remain unbiased, but I'm a certified Eagle hater. Here's the thing, I legitimately believe they are overrated to an extent.
Dak Prescott was considerably better than Jalen Hurts last season. Nick Sirianni was HC for one of the worst second-half collapses of a season that I'd ever seen. Their answer was to sign... Kellen Moore?
With regard to Saquan, he's nice, but I honestly thought D'Andre Swift was a great RB and don't think it'll be a huge upgrade.
They'll be good though. They have a stacked defense, and drafted a pair of DB's that will be absolute ballhawks. Dak still owns the Eagles, and I think of the two matchups that Week 10 at home will be the easier W.
#4) Detroit Lions - Week 6
(12-5 in 2023)
The defending champs from the NFC North, and NFC runner-ups, have an absolute vendetta against the Cowboys. That fanbase is still talking about the controversial ending to the December 30 matchup last season at AT&T Stadium.
This is a very talented team, with a lot of young talent that's only going to continue to develop. They want this game, their fans want this game, and it's safe to expect that they'll make this game as difficult as possible for the Cowboys.
#3) @ Philadelphia Eagles - Week 17
(11-6 in 2023)
As mentioned before, the Eagles will be one of the top rosters in the NFL next season. My criticism is the coaching, but with that being said, these games are never easy.
Winning both games against the Eagles may prove to be a tall order, and if the Cowboys drop a game, it'll likely be in front of the hostile crowd in Philadelphia.
#2) Baltimore Ravens - Week 3
(13-4 in 2023)
The Baltimore Ravens are the AFC runner-ups, and their QB Lamar Jackson is the defending MVP of the league. This team is at the top of every Vegas sportsbook for their Super Bowl odds.
Simply put: Despite being early in the season, this game will tell us what type of team the Cowboys will be in 2024. I want to see a competitive effort. Any loss like the blowout against the Niners last season will have me wondering why this team will have their season end any differently.
Which leads me to the Cowboys biggest challenge in 2024...
#1) @ San Francisco 49ers - Week 8
(12-5 in 2023)
The 49ers have been the Cowboys kryptonite for the last few seasons. Two losses in the postseason, and a blowout loss last season in Santa Clara position the 49ers as the arch nemesis of the Mike McCarthy era Cowboys.
The Cowboys will need to get past some really talented teams in 2024. Personally, I'm cautiously optimistic, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves: first order of business is taking care of the NFC East.
