The more things change, the more they stay the same in Dallas.
For all the hoopla surrounding the Cowboys in 2023, they finished 12-5 and second in the NFC East, behind the eventual NFC champion Eagles. The Cowboys turned their regular-season success into a playoff win, their first since 2018.
Still, for how good the defense was - and how hyped the 'Boys tend to be - it was another sour ending for Jerrah's boys, losing to the 49ers in the divisional round.
This year, the Cowboys will once again run back their top-tier defense, including two-time first-team All-Pro Micah Parsons. The Cowboys defense finished third in the NFL in sacks (54), behind both NFL squads that made the Super Bowl: the Eagles (70) and Chiefs (55).
While the defense is largely the same, the offense will have a bit of a new look. Now without Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Dalton Schultz and with wide receiver Brandin Cooks, the heat is on head coach Mike McCarthy to once again get the pieces to mesh - and to get the Cowboys back to the playoffs, this time with a happier ending.
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Here's how Dallas' schedule shapes up for the 2023 NFL season:
The Cowboys' full schedule, including dates, times and locations, is set to be unveiled on Thursday, May 11. The Cowboys' opponents are already set. Here's who they will play in 2023:
Home: Giants, Eagles, Commanders, Lions, Rams, Patriots, Jets, Seahawks
If the Cowboys want to make the playoffs again, they'll have to walk a difficult path to get their. Their 0.549 strength of schedule (based on opponents' 2022 finishes) is tied for third in the NFL. Coincidentally, that number is also tied with the Giants, while the Eagles have the toughest schedule in the league this year.
Toughest tests: The Cowboys hit the road to face five potential Super Bowl contenders: they face the Eagles, Bills, Chargers, Dolphins and 49ers all in their buildings, which is a pretty brutal run of opponents to play on the road.
Biggest breaks: It's not all bad for Dallas outside of Jerry World. The Cowboys have a pair of games on the road that could be wins. They face the Panthers and No. 1 pick Bryce Young in Carolina, as well as the Cardinals in Arizona, with Kyler Murray's status potentially questionable when they play.
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Bottom line: Dallas' window isn't quite closed, but the opening certainly appears narrower than it's been in recent years. They have to wade through a difficult division and a pretty difficult road schedule, but they certainly have the talent to do it.
Record prediction: 10-7