Dallas Cowboys Schedule, Cowboys Predictions 2023-2024: Best Opening Odds, Picks

Cowboys Schedule and Opening Lines Per Game

Check out our ultimate 2023-2024 guide to the Dallas Cowboys. Find out the Cowboys schedule, Cowboys predictions and Dallas Cowboys opening odds.

Also get deeper betting info – like Cowboys days of rest vs opponents for futures betting knowledge, and what Dallas did in the draft. You can also find amazing WagerTalk and Goldsheet NFL picks packages.

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2023-2024 Dallas CowboysSchedule

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Dallas Cowboys Schedule BreakDown by Lines and Days of Rest

Dallas Cowboys 2023 Draft Picks: Have the Cowboys Improved?

In 2023, here’s how the Dallas Cowboys conducted their draft picks, by round and position.

Round 1, No. 26: Mazi Smith, DT (Michigan) (signed)
Round 2, No. 58: Luke Schoonmaker, TE (Michigan) (signed)
Round 3, No. 90: DeMarvion Overshown, LB (Texas) (signed)
Round 4, No. 129: Viliami Fehoko, DE (San Jose State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 169: Asim Richards, OT (North Carolina) (signed)
Round 6, No. 178 (from Bears through Dolphins and Chiefs): Eric Scott Jr., CB (Southern Miss) (signed)
Round 6, No. 212: Deuce Vaughn, RB (Kansas State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 244: Jalen Brooks, WR (South Carolina) (signed)

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2023 NFC East Odds – How are the Cowboys Looking?

Team	Current	Last	Open	High	Low
DAL Cowboys	+190	+175	+190	+190	+170
NY Giants	+800	+500	+500	+800	+500
PHI Eagles	+-120	+115	+110	+115	+-120
WAS Commanders	+1100	+900	+900	+1100	+900

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History of the Dallas Cowboys

The History of the Dallas Cowboys: America’s Team 

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most successful and popular franchises in the National Football League (NFL). They have won five Super Bowls, eight conference championships, and 23 division titles. They have also produced many legendary players and coaches who have left their mark on the game. But how did this team come to be? Here is a brief overview of the history of the Dallas Cowboys. 

The Birth of the Cowboys 

The Dallas Cowboys were the NFL’s first modern-era expansion team. They joined the league in 1960, after a group of investors led by Clint Murchison Jr. and Bedford Wynne bought the rights to the Washington Redskins’ fight song, “Hail to the Redskins”, and used it as leverage to persuade Redskins owner George Preston Marshall to drop his opposition to a new franchise in Texas. The team was initially called the Dallas Steers, then the Dallas Rangers, before settling on the Cowboys on March 19, 1960. 

The new owners hired CBS Sports executive and former Los Angeles Rams general manager Tex Schramm as president and general manager, San Francisco 49ers scout Gil Brandt as player personnel director, and New York Giants defensive coordinator Tom Landry as head coach. These three men would form the core of the Cowboys’ leadership for the next three decades, and would shape the team’s identity and culture. 

The Cowboys played their home games at the Cotton Bowl, a few miles east of downtown Dallas. For their first three seasons, they shared this stadium with the Dallas Texans, who began play in the American Football League (AFL) that same year. The Cowboys struggled in their early years, posting a losing record in each of their first five seasons. They also had to compete for fans and attention with the Texans, who won two AFL championships in 1962 and 1963. 

The Rise of America’s Team 

The Cowboys’ fortunes began to change in 1966, when they qualified for the playoffs for the first time with a 10-3-1 record. They also moved to a new stadium, the Texas Stadium, which featured a distinctive partial roof that left a hole over the field. The Cowboys claimed that this was done so that “God could watch his favorite team play”. The Cowboys reached the NFL championship game that year, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in a close contest. 

The next year, the Cowboys faced the Packers again in the NFL championship game, which became known as the “Ice Bowl” because of the freezing temperatures and icy conditions at Lambeau Field. The Packers won on a last-minute touchdown by quarterback Bart Starr, denying the Cowboys their first Super Bowl appearance. 

The Cowboys finally broke through in 1971, when they won their first Super Bowl by defeating the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI. The Cowboys were led by quarterback Roger Staubach, who had joined the team in 1969 after serving in the Navy. Staubach was known for his clutch performances and his ability to lead comebacks, earning him the nickname “Captain Comeback”. He was also a devout Christian who popularized the term “Hail Mary” for a long desperation pass.

The Cowboys became one of the dominant teams of the 1970s, winning four NFC championships and two more Super Bowls (1978 and 1993). They also developed a loyal fan base across the country, thanks to their frequent appearances on national television and their glamorous image. The team featured star players such as defensive tackle Bob Lilly, wide receiver Bob Hayes, running back Tony Dorsett, defensive end Ed “Too Tall” Jones, and tight end Billy Joe DuPree. They also had a squad of attractive cheerleaders who became celebrities in their own right. The Cowboys earned the nickname “America’s Team” after a narrator used it in an NFL Films highlight reel. 

The Dynasty of the 1990s 

The Cowboys entered a period of decline in the mid-1980s, as age and injuries took their toll on their core players. Landry was fired in 1989 by new owner Jerry Jones, who bought the team from Murchison’s heirs for $140 million. Jones hired Jimmy Johnson, his former college teammate and coach at the University of Miami, as head coach. Jones also made some bold moves in personnel, such as trading star running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for a package of draft picks that would help rebuild the team. 

The Cowboys drafted three future Hall of Famers in consecutive years: wide receiver Michael Irvin in 1988, quarterback Troy Aikman in 1989, and running back Emmitt Smith in 1990. These three players, along with tight end Jay Novacek and offensive linemen Mark Tuinei, Nate Newton, and Larry Allen, formed the core of the Cowboys’ offense. The defense was anchored by defensive end Charles Haley, who was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in 1992, and defensive back Deion Sanders, who signed as a free agent in 1995. The Cowboys also had a fiery leader in safety Darren Woodson, who was drafted in 1992. 

The Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years in the 1990s: 1993, 1994, and 1996. They became the first team to win three Super Bowls in four years, and the second team to win four Super Bowls overall (after the Pittsburgh Steelers). They also became the first team to win a Super Bowl with three different head coaches: Johnson (1993 and 1994), Barry Switzer (1996), and Chan Gailey (1998). The Cowboys’ dynasty was marked by their intense rivalry with the 49ers, who also won a Super Bowl in that decade (1995). The two teams met in three consecutive NFC championship games from 1993 to 1995, with the Cowboys winning two of them. 

The Struggles of the New Millennium 

The Cowboys’ success came at a price, as they had to deal with salary cap issues, injuries, retirements, and off-field problems. Jones and Johnson had a falling out after winning their second Super Bowl, leading to Johnson’s departure in 1994. Switzer resigned after the 1997 season, following a series of controversies and a decline in performance. Gailey lasted only two seasons, failing to win a playoff game. Dave Campo, who was promoted from defensive coordinator, went 15-33 in three seasons from 2000 to 2002. 

The Cowboys also struggled to find a consistent quarterback after Aikman retired in 2001 due to multiple concussions. They tried various options, such as Quincy Carter, Vinny Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe, and Chad Hutchinson, but none of them could replicate Aikman’s success. The Cowboys also lacked star power on offense, as Irvin retired in 2000 after suffering a career-ending neck injury, and Smith left for the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 after becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. 

The Cowboys hired Bill Parcells as head coach in 2003, hoping to revive the franchise with his proven track record of turning around struggling teams. Parcells led the Cowboys to two playoff appearances in four seasons, but could not win a postseason game. He also helped develop Tony Romo, an undrafted free agent who became the team’s starting quarterback in 2006. Romo was known for his improvisational skills and his ability to make big plays, but also for his tendency to make costly mistakes at crucial moments. 

Parcells retired after the 2006 season, and was replaced by Wade Phillips, who had been the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers. Phillips led the Cowboys to a franchise-record 13-3 record in his first season, but lost to the New York Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Cowboys failed to make the playoffs in the next two seasons, despite having talented players such as wide receiver Terrell Owens, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, and cornerback Terence Newman. 

Jones fired Phillips midway through the 2010 season, after the Cowboys started with a dismal 1-7 record. He promoted Jason Garrett, who had been the offensive coordinator since 2007, to interim head coach. Garrett finished the season with a 5-3 record, earning him the permanent job. Garrett led the Cowboys to four winning seasons and three playoff appearances in nine full seasons as head coach. However, he could not get past the divisional round of the playoffs each time. He also faced criticism for his conservative play-calling and clock management. 

The Cowboys’ best season under Garrett was in 2014, when they went 12-4 and won their first playoff game since 2009. They were led by Romo, who had his best statistical season; Smith, who won his fourth rushing title; Witten; Ware; and wide receiver Dez Bryant. The Cowboys lost to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs on a controversial call that overturned a catch by Bryant near the goal line late in the game. 

The Cowboys had high expectations for the next season, but they were derailed by injuries to Romo and Bryant. They finished with a dismal 4-12 record. However, they rebounded in 2016 with two rookies who took over for Romo and Smith The Struggles of the New Millennium (continued) 

…who took over for Romo and Smith, who were both injured early in the season. Dak Prescott, a fourth-round draft pick, impressed with his poise and efficiency as the starting quarterback, while Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth overall pick, led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns as the feature back. The Cowboys went 13-3 and clinched the top seed in the NFC, but lost to the Packers again in the divisional round of the playoffs on a last-second field goal by Mason Crosby. 

The Cowboys had high hopes for the 2017 season, but they faced several challenges and setbacks. Elliott was suspended for six games by the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy, stemming from domestic violence allegations that he denied. The suspension was initially blocked by a court injunction, but was eventually upheld after a lengthy legal battle. The Cowboys went 3-3 without Elliott, and also lost several key players to injuries, such as left tackle Tyron Smith, linebacker Sean Lee, and kicker Dan Bailey. The Cowboys finished with a 9-7 record and missed the playoffs. 

The Cowboys bounced back in 2018, thanks to some midseason moves that boosted their offense and defense. They traded a first-round draft pick to the Oakland Raiders for wide receiver Amari Cooper, who instantly became Prescott’s favorite target and revitalized the passing game. They also acquired linebacker Leighton Vander Esch in the first round of the draft, who filled in admirably for the injured Lee and earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie. The Cowboys won seven of their last eight games to capture their third NFC East title in five years with a 10-6 record. They beat the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round of the playoffs, but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. 

The Cowboys entered the 2019 season with high expectations, but they failed to live up to them. They started with a promising 3-0 record, but then lost three straight games to playoff-bound teams. They recovered with a three-game winning streak, but then lost four of their next five games, including a crucial showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead in Week 16. The Cowboys needed to win their final game against the Washington Redskins and hope for an Eagles loss to make the playoffs, but neither scenario happened. The Cowboys finished with an 8-8 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth time under Garrett. 

Jones decided not to renew Garrett’s contract after his disappointing season, and hired Mike McCarthy, who had won a Super Bowl with the Packers in 2011, as his replacement. McCarthy brought in several new coaches and coordinators, such as Mike Nolan (defense), Kellen Moore (offense), John Fassel (special teams), and Jim Tomsula (defensive line). The Cowboys also made some notable additions and subtractions to their roster in the offseason. They placed the franchise tag on Prescott, who had yet to sign a long-term contract extension with the team. They signed veteran defensive end Aldon Smith, who had been out of football since 2015 due to legal and substance abuse issues. They drafted wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the first round of the draft, adding another weapon to their already potent offense. They also lost several key players to free agency or retirement, such as cornerback Byron Jones, center Travis Frederick, defensive end Robert Quinn, wide receiver Randall Cobb, and tight end Jason Witten. 

The Cowboys hoped to start a new era of success under McCarthy in 2020, but they faced unprecedented challenges and adversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced the NFL to cancel all preseason games and limit offseason activities and training camp practices. The Cowboys also had to deal with several injuries that decimated their roster throughout the season. Prescott suffered a gruesome ankle injury in Week 5 that ended his season prematurely. Smith missed several games due to neck issues that required surgery. Lee missed most of The Struggles of the New Millennium (continued) 

…the season due to sports hernia surgery. Vander Esch missed 10 games due to a neck injury that required surgery. The Cowboys also had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the NFL to cancel all preseason games and limit offseason activities and training camp practices. The pandemic also affected the attendance and atmosphere at AT&T Stadium, which was allowed to host only a limited number of fans. 

The Cowboys started the season with a 1-3 record, losing close games to the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Cleveland Browns. They managed to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, thanks to a miraculous onside kick recovery and a game-winning field goal by Greg Zuerlein. The Cowboys suffered a devastating blow in Week 5, when Prescott suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle that required surgery and ended his season. Andy Dalton, who had signed with the Cowboys as a backup quarterback in the offseason, took over as the starter. 

The Cowboys lost their next four games with Dalton under center, falling to 2-7. Dalton missed two of those games after suffering a concussion against the Washington Football Team in Week 7 and testing positive for COVID-19 in Week 9. The Cowboys had to start rookie Ben DiNucci and journeyman Garrett Gilbert in those games, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers respectively. The Cowboys also struggled on defense, allowing a franchise-worst 473 points and ranking near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. 

The Cowboys showed some signs of life in Week 11, when they beat the Minnesota Vikings on the road with Dalton back at quarterback. They also got some help from their division rivals, who all had losing records as well. The Cowboys had a chance to take over the NFC East lead in Week 12, when they hosted Washington on Thanksgiving Day. However, they lost 41-16, after giving up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and failing on a fake punt attempt that backfired. 

The Cowboys bounced back with three straight wins over the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, and Eagles, improving their record to 6-9 and keeping their playoff hopes alive. They also benefited from some favorable results from their division rivals, who continued to struggle as well. The Cowboys entered Week 17 with a chance to win the NFC East title if they beat the New York Giants on the road and Washington lost to Philadelphia on Sunday night. 

The Cowboys trailed the Giants for most of the game, but had an opportunity to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, Dalton threw an interception in the end zone with 1:15 remaining, sealing the Cowboys’ fate. The Cowboys lost 23-19, finishing with a 6-10 record and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. To add insult to injury, Washington beat Philadelphia later that night, clinching the NFC East title with a 7-9 record. 

The Cowboys ended their disappointing season with many questions about their future. Prescott’s contract situation remained unresolved, as he was set to become a free agent again after playing under the franchise tag in 2020. The Cowboys also had several other key players who were due for free agency or contract extensions, such as Cooper, Smith, Elliott, Lamb, Lawrence, Smith, Vander Esch, and Cooper. The Cowboys also had to decide whether to retain McCarthy and his coaching staff after their underwhelming debut season. 

The Cowboys hoped to learn from their mistakes and bounce back stronger in 2021. They also hoped to have better luck with injuries and health issues that plagued them in 2020. They also hoped to regain their status as one of the elite teams in the NFL and end their long drought of not reaching the NFC championship game since 1996. 

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