Cowboys 'Underdogs,' to Miss Playoffs - NFL Analyst Peter Schrager

The national media is never shy about riling up Dallas Cowboys fans. This time, it came in the form of Peter Schrager's playoff predictions.

Everybody has the right to their opinion, especially on something as trivial as football predictions just days ahead of Week 1. As Peter Schrager saw on Tuesday, that right doesn’t exempt anyone from criticism.

Schrager revealed his playoff predictions on Tuesday’s edition of “Good Morning Football.” His crystal ball left off the Dallas Cowboys.

To great shame of the TV Networks and our collective sports TV ratings, here are my NFC playoff teams for the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/q1HeUoOt5C

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) September 5, 2023

To the ire of Cowboys fans, it wasn’t just Schrager’s inherently pessimistic view of their team. It was the two divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, listed above them.

“The Cowboys are somehow underdogs going into the 2023 season,” said Marcus Mosher, quote tweeting Schrager’s post. “Love it.”

Others weren’t so kind, slinging sarcastic remarks and otherwise discounting Schrager’s work.

However, Dallas’ win total has generally hovered around 9.5 wins. If that line is right, it wouldn’t be unheard of for a 9-8 or 10-7 Cowboys team to miss the playoffs.

Schrager’s prediction is likely backed by the optimism he holds for the Eagles and Giants. Philadelphia went to the Super Bowl last season and retained much of its high-level talent. New York is trending in the right direction and added pass catchers to nurture the development of quarterback Daniel Jones.

Dallas missing the playoffs may not be probable; they have one of the conference’s top quarterbacks and one of the most dynamic defenses in football. But is it possible? Sure—that’s why they play the games.

As things stand, DraftKings has the Cowboys at -230 to make the playoffs. Only the Eagles and San Francisco 49ers boast better odds within the conference.

The first step in proving Schrager wrong and boosting those playoff odds is winning on Sunday, when they visit the Giants to kick off their 2023 season.