Predicting rest of Cowboys' 2025 schedule, final record after another defensive failure

The Dallas Cowboys just can't get right. The 2025 season has been a roller-coaster ride since before the theme park even opened. The summer drama surrounding the contract dispute between the front office and star edge rusher Micah Parsons became so toxic the team traded him to a conference rival, turning the page only to find a lack of content in the ensuing chapters.

After a close loss to the defending champion Eagles in Week 1, Dallas struggled to defeat the lowly Giants in Week 2 before getting blown out on the road by the lowly Bears in Week 3. A pseudo upset followed, tying with those Packers in Week 4, with a dominating win against the Jets in Week 5. Just when it appeared all was being righted, the Cowboys fell flat in Carolina, with their defense once again failing to perform.

Now, sitting with a 2-3-1 record after six games, it's a fair assumption that the Cowboys are going to be this version of themselves for the remainder of the season. Yes, there's some help coming for each level of the defense over the next month in the form or third-year LB DeMarvion Overshown, rookie CB Shavon Revel and intriguing FA signing Perrion Winfrey. No, there's no telling how much help they'll be, or if it will even matter in the grand scheme of things.

Dallas has a truly daunting remaining schedule, and things might end up worse than they are now. Considering the GIants and Jets are the only two teams the Cowboys have defeated, that seems much more likely than them running off a string of wins, especially considering how many of their remaining opponents made the playoffs last season.

That number is eight. Eight of the teams' final 11 contests are against 2024 playoff teams; three of those being division battles and four being against teams who were in the Final Four. Things look dire, so here is our best guess as to how the rest of the season plays out for the Cowboys.

Week 7: Sunday, October 19, vs. Washington Commanders, 3:25 p.m. CT, FOX

This will be the first time Dak Prescott plays against a Dan Quinn defense after the latter had been the coordinator in Dallas. Quinn defenses when he's the DC? Elite. Quinn defenses when he's the head coach? Mid.

Prediction: Cowboys Win, 34-31

Week 8: Sunday, October 26, at Denver Broncos, 3:25 p.m. CT, CBS

The Cowboys are 4-6 against Sean Payton coached teams, and as most fans know, he has a special place in his heart for the franchise after he was their OC under Bill Parcells before getting the Saints gig back in 2006. Their defense is strong, and as we've seen, even average offenses show out against Matt Eberflus and company.

Prediction: Loss, 27-24

Week 9: Monday, November 3, vs Arizona Cardinals, 7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN

Earlier in the year this was predicted as a win, but knowing the magic Kyler Murray has at AT&T Stadium and against a team that can't stop the run? Ugh.

Prediction: Loss, 31-28

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Monday, November 17, at Las Vegas Raiders, 7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN

Visions of Ashton Jeanty racing through the secondary unbothered, and assuming Brock Bowers is healthy by this point in the season? The return of several players from the Cowboys side of things may include the 2025 debut of Overshown... tough call but let's stay a little positive.

Prediction: Win, 28-21

Week 12: Sunday, November 23, vs Philadelphia Eagles, 3:25 p.m. CT, FOX

The rematch as the Eagles descend upon AT&T Stadium, and unfortunately for the Cowboys, Philly gets their sweep.

Prediction: Loss, 31-27

Week 13: Thursday, November 27, vs Kansas City Chiefs 3:30 pm CT, CBS

Doubt begins to creep in as the Cowboys lose back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Prediction: Loss 37-31

Week 14: Thursday, December 4, at Detroit Lions, 7:20 p.m. CT, Prime

Former Cowboys "x,y,z" are all over the place in the NFL, and Dan Campbell certainly has the profile to capitalize.

Prediction: Loss, 41-38

Week 15: Sunday, December 14, vs Minnesota Vikings, 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC

The Vikings feel like a shell game in 2025.

Prediction: Win, 31-19

Week 16: Sunday, December 21, vs Los Angeles Chargers, Noon, FOX

Dallas has defeated Justin Herbert twice by a 20-17 margin. Make it three times for posterity sake.

Prediction: Win, 20-17

Week 17: Thursday, Dec. 25, at Washington Commanders Noon, Netflix

The gauntlet of tough teams and alternate game dates catches up to the Cowboys, who have to travel across the country on Christmas and get scrooged.

Prediction: Loss, 35-27

Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 4, at New York Giants, TBD, TBD

The NFC East is sending three teams to the playoffs this season, the Giants won't be one of them.

Prediction: Win 41-21

Predicting Cowboys Final Record: 7-9-1

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys predictions for every remaining game after Week 6 loss