Predicting the first loss on the Dallas Cowboys schedule in 2021

The Dallas Cowboys schedule features 17 games for the first time ever, but which game presents the toughest challenge and will result in the first loss?

For the first time since 2012, the Dallas Cowboys will begin its season up with consecutive road games. What might be even stranger is even though they are “America’s Team”, they’ll be the one likely facing the uphill climb.

Everything Dallas did this offseason was to build around the defense. The secondary was in shambles under former DC Mike Nolan, tackling was abysmal and stopping the run was almost a non-factor. The plan is new additions and DC Dan Quinn can bring back the winning style of play to match the offense under the second season of Mike McCarthy.

The Cowboys’ schedule actually bodes well in its favor. The team could have an opportunity to go on a run starting in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, all the way until Week 11 when on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. Enough wins should keep them ahead in the hunt for the NFC East.

The first loss though? Expect that at Raymond James Stadium to begin the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Cowboys schedule opens with Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in a daunting Week 1 game

There’s a multitude of reasons the Buccaneers should be favored in this game. They have Tom Brady, a quarterback whisperer in head coach in Bruce Arians and a stellar arsenal and secondary that’s looking to build off the postseason.

The real reason will be the chemistry  — something Dallas might take several weeks of live game action to build defensively.

The Buccaneers are returning all 22 starters from the 2020 Super Bowl roster. This includes all three defenders in the No. 1 run defense from the past two seasons. Tampa Bay also found a way to franchise tag Chris Godwin and bring back Antonio Brown in the slot on a one-year deal to pair with Scotty Miller and rookie Jaelon Darden.

The Cowboys are banking on the offensive line to remain healthy for Dak Prescott, who will begin his four-year mega-extension with the hopes of being a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Since 2019, only Connor Williams has started every game the past two seasons.

Defensively, can Trevon Diggs step up as the No. 1 cornerback with the departure of Chidobe Awuzie? Will Micah Parsons will a game-changer alongside Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith? Is rookie Kelvin Joseph ready to mirror Mike Evans and Brown on the outside?

The Cowboys have the pieces to be much-improved. They also play in a division that’s up for grabs. A loss early in the season won’t derail the chance for a Super Bowl, but Brady is 5-1 in opening games after winning the Super Bowl. Expect that to improve to 6-1 this September.