The Dallas Cowboys first big hurdle to overcome is their schedule

The Dallas Cowboys have a fairly easy schedule this season, but if they want to win the division, they will have to get past the first few weeks successfully. Since the NFC looks to be better this season, the Cowboys probably can’t afford a bad start. A solid start would set them up for a playoff push.

Luckily, the Cowboys play the NFC North and AFC South, which aren’t any better than the NFC East. What hurts the Cowboys is placing first in 2021, so they’re facing the Buccaneers, Bengals, and Rams early on the schedule.

The Dallas Cowboys have a rough start to the schedule, but a good start it could set them up for the rest of the season.

Without Michael Gallup to start the season, the Cowboys are going to have to figure out the position and hope production doesn’t drop. CeeDee Lamb should be the starting outside wide receiver, but after that it is a little muddled with Noah Brown, Jalen Tolbert, James Washington, and Simi Fehoko fighting for position. Hoping they can hold it down in 2022, but the first rough stretch could be a tall task.

The pass rush will be another concern with DeMarcus Lawrence being the one sure thing. Dante Fowler had one very good season, but has been fairly average since. The rest of the guys are led by Dorrance Armstrong, with hopes that Sam Williams can contribute early. This could mean the Cowboys use Micah Parsons more as a pass rusher, but with a shaky run defense, he may be needed more in a traditional off-ball role.

If the Dallas Cowboys can push through a run of Buccaneers, Bengals, Giants, Commanders, and Rams, they will set themselves up nicely. If they can stay above .500 early, the Dallas Cowboys have to like their odds for the East.

An early run should be able to help the Dallas Cowboys if things fall together early, but if there are injuries early or some guys don’t perform, it could be a race to catch up.