Things haven't exactly gone according to plan for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Once again, local media and fans have eaten the cheese, to borrow a Bill Parcells phrase. All offseason, a turnaround from back-to-back seven win seasons was preached, as there was excitement for the process used to find a new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker.
Instead of that joy, it turns out the concerns over the 2025 hiring of head coach Brian Schottenheimer appear to be well founded, and the "same old" thought process for Jerry Jones teams seems to be as accurate as ever. What does that leave for the rest of the season, with 11 games remaining?
In May, when the schedule was announced, we predicted a 4-2 start for the club; that's turned into a 2-4 record
and a ton of questions. The rest of the schedule? Here's a look at what was predicted then, and what is predicted now, starting with Monday night's game in Philadelphia.
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles, 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 26, ESPN
Original Prediction: The Cowboys don't fear the Eagles whatsover, in Philly or at home. They'll come out hot and fans will be able to see how well Christian Parker knows his former team. Pick: Cowboys 31, Eagles 21.
Updated Prediction: In the war of attrition, the Cowboys are facing their inability to win under the lights. Schottenheimer teams are 1-7-1 in primetime. The Eagles are decimated though. A loss here might end the BS era mid-season. Pick: Cowboys 31, Eagles 21. (3-4)
Week 8: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Noon, Nov. 1, FOX
Original Prediction: The Cowboys finally get to face the Cardinals without Kyler Murray. Whoops, that was the case last year when Jacoby Brissett just played like the Dallas Dominator. This is revenge. Pick: Cowboys 37, Cardinals 17.
Updated Prediction: The Cardinals are giving up 37 ppg outside of Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium. Again, a loss here is a fireable offense. Pick: Cowboys 27, Cardinals 17. (4-4)
Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts, Noon, Nov. 8, CBS
Original Prediction: The Cowboys will travel to face their former punching bag at quarterback Daniel Jons. He hears voices in his head, but this isn't Randy Orton. Pick: Cowboys 31, Colts 24.
Updated Prediction: It's more likely than not the Colts arrive at this game with a 2-6 record, but at least they'll be at home. The Cowboys should enjoy the early kickoff again, making their way above .500 and temporarily giving hope to the fanbase. Pick: Cowboys 24, Colts 21.(5-4)
Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers, 3:25 p.m., Nov. 15, FOX
Original Prediction: Kyle Shanahan and company make their way to Dallas with a renewed offensive attack. Pick: 49ers 28, Cowboys 24.
Updated Prediction: Flip side, the 49ers should enter this contest at 8-0, semi-fresh of a Week 8 bye week. Cowboys fans are already selling their tickets; it's going to be a red wave in AT&T Stadium. Pick 49ers 36, Cowboys 24. (5-5)
Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans, Noon, Nov. 22, CBS
Original Prediction: The Titans are working to return from the grave with a renewed offense that will bring old friend Tony Pollard back to town. He's used to being disappointed in this city. Pick: Cowboys 37, Titans 10.
Updated Prediction: Tennessee might be the worst team in the league, Dallas should still be able to dominate this club and get back above .500. Pick: Cowboys 27, Titans 10.(6-5).
Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 3:30 p.m., Thursday Nov. 26, FOX
Original Prediction: The Cowboys have won four straight Thanksgiving Day games. It's going to be an ugly game, but they sweep the Eagles for 2026. Pick: Cowboys 26, Eagles 24.
Updated Prediction: The Eagles should be relatively healthier and in a groove for this rematch, which doesn't bode well for the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. This will be the Joe Milton experience; ugh. Pick Eagles 27, Cowboys 24. (6-6)
Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks, 7:15 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7, ESPN
Original Prediction: There are so many ties between these two teams who are rivals that hate each other despite not playing every season. The Super Bowl champs, hosting Dallas at a night game? Bring the ear plugs. Pick: Seahawks 31, Cowboys 27.
Updated Prediction: Sam Darnold isn't having the same campaign he did in 2025, but the primetime issues for the Cowboys return. Just too much time in the day to get in their own heads, plus the Seattle crowd is super loud and hates their guts. Pick: Seahawks 31, Cowboys 27. (6-7)
Week 14: BYE
The Cowboys get a late-season breather.
Week 15: vs. Los Angeles Rams 3:25 p.m., Dec. 20, FOX
Original Prediction: The Cowboys have low-key dominated Sean McVay's Rams since they lost to them in the playoffs following the 2018 season. Pick: Cowboys 44, Rams 24.
Updated Prediction: A fresh Myles Garrett after missing the first half of the season is not something anyone could've predicted. The Rams are hitting their stride in the second half. Pick: Rams 34, Cowboys 24. (6-8)
Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:20 p.m., Dec. 27, NBC
Original Prediction: The Jaguars are actually good? What do we do with this type of information? Pick: Jaguars 27, Cowboys 24.
Updated Prediction: The Jaguars might be the AFC's best team, but predicting a home upset in this one. Pick: Cowboys 27, Jaguars 24. (7-8)
Week 17: vs. New York Giants, Noon, Jan. 3, 2027, FOX
Original Prediction: The Giants are still the Giants. Pick: Cowboys 38, Giants 10.
Updated Prediction: No change. Pick: Cowboys 38, Giants 10. (8-8)
Week 18: at Washington Commanders, TBD, Jan. 9/10, TBD
Original Prediction: The Cowboys have closed out the season vs Washington more often than not in recent years. Health will determine the season, so health will determine this game. Pick: Cowboys 31, Commanders 3.
Updated Prediction: No change. Pick: Cowboys 31, Commanders 3.(9-8)
Cowboys record prediction for 2026
Original Prediction: We've got the Cowboys finishing the 2026 NFL season at 12-5.
Updated Prediction: 9-8, NFC East winners because the division is horrible.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Predicting Cowboys final 11 games of 2026; what will final record be?
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