Dallas Cowboys: Preseason Panic Mode 2021 Schedule Edition

The Dallas Cowboys were without their franchise quarterback last year and it showed. Now they’ll go into 2021 with him back under center, but will it make enough of a difference to avoid panic mode? Dallas has a ton of reasons to be excited for this season but it will be very easy for the wheels to come off the wagon.

From Profootballtalk.com

Week 1: 9/9 at Buccaneers, 8:20 PM, NBC
Week 2: 9/19 at Chargers, 4:25 PM, CBS
Week 3: 9/27 vs. Eagles, 8:15 PM, ESPN
Week 4: 10/3 vs. Panthers, 1 PM, Fox
Week 5: 10/10 vs. Giants, 4:25 PM, Fox
Week 6: 10/17 at Patriots, 4:25 PM, CBS
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: 10/31 at Vikings, 8:20 PM, NBC
Week 9: 11/7 vs. Broncos, 1 PM, Fox
Week 10: 11/14 vs. Falcons, 1 PM, Fox
Week 11:11/21 at Chiefs, 4:25 PM, Fox
Week 12: 11/25 vs. Raiders, 4:30 PM, CBS
Week 13: 12/2 at Saints, 8:20 PM, Fox/NFL Network/ Amazon
Week 14: 12/12 at Washington Football Team, 1 PM, Fox
Week 15: 12/19 at Giants, 1 PM, Fox
Week 16: 12/26 vs. Washington Football Team, 8:20 PM, NBC
Week 17: 1/2 vs. Cardinals, 1 PM, Fox
Week 18: 1/9 at Eagles, 1 PM, Fox

Challenging Start

The Cowboys will be tested right off the bat facing Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Then they get Justin Herbert in his sophomore season followed by their division rival Philadelphia Eagles. By the time they hit their bye week they’ll have the Giants and every challenging Patriots to overcome.

More NFL: New York Giants Preseason Panic Mode 2021 Schedule Edition

AFC Struggles

Between the Chiefs, Broncos, and Raiders Dallas will have challenging AFC opponents. The Chiefs will be a good test of where they are in terms of the playoffs, the Broncos always have a tough defense, and the Raiders are a wildcard at any given point. Between their divisional matchups and the rising AFC teams, there’s already a handful of games that could doom the Cowboys.

Running the Gauntlet

To be honest, from their bye week out, any of their remaining matchups could be losses. That’s a given in today’s NFL but looking at the remaining 11 games, they’ll need to be injury-free to go on a run. While divisional games are easily a toss-up and could be split right down the middle, they’ll also face the Vikings, Cardinals, and the Falcons. Matt Ryan with Kyle Pitts will be a challenge in that game alone.

The Dallas Cowboys have to hope that Dak Prescott comes back with the energy he did before he got injured. It will be no easy feat for them to overcome this year although they have the talent to do so. Any slip-up and this season can easily get away from them.