Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022, in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022, in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

4. Must-win games for the Dallas Cowboys – Vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Any time you get a chance to square off against a team that played in the Super Bowl it is a must-win game for your team. The 17th game on Dallas’ 2022 schedule brings with it a matchup against the reigning AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, a huge contest that will have massive ramifications for both teams.

The Bengals emerged as a potential NFL superpower during the postseason riding the arm of Joe Burrow, who outdueled the Titans and Kansas City Chiefs on his way to the big game. Burrow’s offensive line let him down in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 56 but the foundation is in place for Cincinnati to be an issue in the AFC for years to come.

This marquee matchup should provide a stiff test for the Dallas secondary, which will have to find a way to slow down Burrow’s elite trio of receivers to win this game. Trevon Diggs will likely draw the assignment of shadowing Ja’Marr Chase, which should help the Cowboys find ways to slow down the rest of the Bengals’ weapons.

This game will be one of, if not the toughest, contests that Dallas plays at home this season. Finding a way to knock off Cincinnati at AT&T Stadium would be an important step for the Cowboys on their path towards home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.