Lucky 13? Cowboys Win NFC East Over Eagles & Giants in New Win Projection Total

The Dallas Cowboys addressed a host of issues during free agency as they look to go on a deep playoff run, but how many wins will the franchise get next season?

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons and hunting for that elusive Lombardi Trophy.

The offseason saw several key moves made. Head coach Mike McCarthy was instilled as the offensive play caller. Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore were acquired via trade, and a host of defensive starters were re-signed, including Donovan Wilson and Leighton Vander Esch.

Many think the Cowboys are in a better position than last season to make a run at the Super Bowl, but to do so, will need to first qualify for the postseason by winning games of football.

But how many could Dallas win? Former NFL quarterback David Carr gave his predictions on the NFC East for NFL Total Access, and he has the Cowboys winning the division with 13 games, closely followed by the New York Giants (12), Philadelphia Eagles (12), and the Washington Commanders (7).

It would also continue the long-standing trend of the division not having a repeat winner since the Eagles in 2003 and 2004.

Looking at Dallas' win total, should Carr's prediction come to fruition, the Cowboys would have three consecutive 12+ win seasons for just the second time in franchise history (1992-1995, Dallas had a 12-4 record in each season). 

But looking at the Cowboys' schedule, getting to 13 wins promises to be a tall order. 

Dallas will face the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and the Miami Dolphins away from AT&T Stadium while playing host to the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and the Arizona Cardinals. 

Cowboys’ 2023 opponents:

Home: Commanders, Eagles, Giants, Jets, Lions, Patriots, Rams, Seahawks

Road: Commanders, Eagles, Giants, Bills, Cardinals, Chargers, Dolphins, 49ers, Panthers

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 9, 2023

Not to mention the two matchups against each of their NFC East rivals, either. 

The Cowboys, per sports.yahoo.com, have the fifth hardest schedule in the NFL, with their 2023 opponents having a combined record of 156-128-4 from last season (win pct of 0.549).

Carr having the Cowboys winning 13 games is certainly interesting. If they are to achieve that win total, Dak Prescott and the offense will need to find their groove (and fix the interception issue), and Dan Quinn's defense will have to continue to be the dominating unit it is (maybe a third consecutive season leading the NFL in takeaways is coming).

Unlucky No. 13? Maybe it won't be unlucky for Dallas.

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