The Dallas Cowboys had a solid but ultimately disappointing 2025-26 season. They finished 10-7 and secured a wild-card playoff spot behind Dak Prescott’s consistent play and a strong receiving corps led by CeeDee Lamb. Offensively, the team ranked among the league’s best, but defensive inconsistencies and several key injuries prevented them from dominating the NFC East or building real momentum.
The season ended without a postseason berth for the first time in years. Ongoing depth problems and failure to find consistency led to frustration among fans and the organization. The early exit highlighted the need for significant roster improvements and raised questions about long-term direction heading into 2026.
The Cowboys finished their season with a 7-9-1 record, finishing second in their division, the NFC East, which has multiple teams that can or may soon contend in the playoffs. They have the ability and the talent to contend at least in the NFC East division, but until they fix their defense, their playoff and Super Bowl hopes looks slim.
The Cowboys are expected to enter next season as more or less a playoff contending team. However, they will need to address many roster problems they have, especially with their defense, before they can be considered actual contenders. BetMGM lists the Cowboys’ 2026 win total at over 8.5 as the favored bet for 2026-27 campaign, reflecting multiple issues with their current roster.
Listed below is the table that shows the Over/Under for the Cowboys’ total wins in the upcoming regular season.
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The Dallas Cowboys’ 2025-26 season was defined by a stark contrast between a potent offense and a collapsing defense. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb led a relentless attack that ranked among the league’s best in scoring and total yards. However, the defense was the clear culprit, finishing near the bottom of the bottom of the league in years allowed and points surrendered. The secondary leaked big plays consistently, the pass rush lacked pressure, and poor tackling in critical moments allowed opponents to score late. These defensive failures prevented Dallas from capitalizing on their offensive success, resulting in an 7-9-1 record and a complete playoff miss.
Fans can expect a renewed push for contention in 2026-27 if the defense is properly rebuilt. With Prescott still elite and the offensive core intact, the Cowboys have the foundation for another high-powered attack. Adding talent through free agency and the draft to fix the secondary and pass rush should improve their outlook significantly. While the offense will likely remain a strength, defensive consistency will be the difference between another disappointing year and a return to the postseason.
Let us take a look at the Cowboys opponents for the 2026-27 season;
The Dallas Cowboys have a mid-tier strength of schedule (.493), ranking 20th on the list of toughest strength of schedules amongst 32 teams. They will play 9 games at home and 8 games on the road, giving them a slight advantage compared to teams from the AFC. Moreover, the Cowboys will play 8 teams that were in the playoffs last season.
Overall, the Cowboys have the talent to win games, but their postseason hopes still hang by a threat due to their lackluster defense.
Early Prediction: Cowboys finish the 2026-27 season with a 10-7 record.
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Injuries played a significant role in the Dallas Cowboys’ disappointing 2025-26 season. According to RotoWire, the Cowboys ranked among the more affected teams, with 24 players injured, 180 man-games missed, and an average of 7.50 man-games lost per player. These absences hit the defense and offensive line particularly hard, disrupting continuity and preventing the team from capitalizing on their strong offense. The constant shuffling contributed directly to them missing the playoffs.
Injuries could remain a moderate concern heading into the 2026-27 season. While the Cowboys have a relatively young core, their reliance on key veterans and the physical demands of the game mean any repeat bad luck could once again stall progress. Improved depth and better injury management will be important if they hope to return to the postseason.
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 season with several significant roster concerns. The most glaring issue is inside linebacker depth, where the team is forced to rely on young, unproven players like DeMarvion Overshown and Shemar James after missing out on veteran targets. Defensive line depth is also thin following the trades of Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas, leaving a need for a true 3-4 defensive end. The edge pass rush lacks an elite complement to Rashan Gary, while cornerback depth remains shaky due to injuries and inexperience. Offensively, swing tackle and running back depth are weak points, and salary cap constraints combined with limited mid-round draft picks further restricts their ability to address these holes.
The Dallas Cowboys hold eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two valuable first-round selections at No.12 and 20, plus a third-round (No. 92) and five later picks. With three selections inside the top 100, they have real flexibility to address glaring needs.
Early mock drafts project them targeting cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 12, along with edge rushers or linebackers to fit their new 3-4 scheme. Additional picks could strengthen the offensive line or add wide receiver depth. These high-upside additions should meaningfully upgrade a defense that ranked near the bottom last season, providing immediate starters and long-term building blocks. This talent infusion gives the Cowboys a realistic shot at pushing past their 8.5 win total and returning to playoff contention.
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mma I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.
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