The Dallas Cowboys' Toughest Tests In 2024

There can be no denying that the 2023 season came to a catastrophic end for the Dallas

Cowboys. An impressive regular season saw the Lone Star state side secure second-seed

status as well as the NFC East divisional crown. But just when the AT&T Stadium faithful started to dream of a first Lombardi in almost three decades, it all came crashing down.

Mike McCarthy's men welcomed their rival Green Bay Packers in the wildcard round of the

playoffs and were heavily favored to progress. However, in one of the biggest upsets in recent years, it was the cheeseheads who ran out victorious. They raced into an insurmountable 27-0 lead, before ultimately triumphing by 48 points to 32.

However, despite yet another disappointing postseason collapse, optimism is high ahead of the 2024 season. The Cowboys have one of the most favorable schedules in the entire league next year, avoiding most of the league's heavy hitters and when they face off against the big boys, they will do so on home turf. That has prompted Bovada football odds to make Dallas a +120 joint favorite to win the NFC East this term.

So, with that being said, what are the biggest tests they will face next term? Let's find out.

Baltimore Ravens

The first major hurdle comes in Week 3 when they host the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington. The Maryland side finished the regular season as the best team in the AFC, with quarterback Lamar Jackson romping to his second career MVP award as he led his team to the conference championships. Unfortunately for him, they were ultimately knocked off by the Kansas City Chiefs and their defensive heroics , but they will be aiming to remain as one of the teams to beat next term.

The Ravens' defense, coordinated by Mike Macdonald, is perennially one of the best in the league. With standout players like cornerback Marlon Humphrey and linebacker Patrick Queen, they excel at forcing turnovers and stifling opposing offenses, something that Dak Prescott will have to be wise to. For the Cowboys, figuring out how to protect their man under center and give him enough time to make plays will be crucial.

Controlling reigning MVP Jackson is a task easier said than done on the other side of the ball.

The 27-year-old dual-threat ability can dismantle defenses as we saw numerous times last term, and the defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will have to devise a strategy that limits the former Louisville Cardinal's impact both through the air and on the ground. Linebackers Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch will play pivotal roles in spying on Jackson and minimizing his scrambling opportunities.

Detroit Lions

Another team that had an impressive regular season last term was the Detrot Lons. They won the NFC North for the first time in franchise history, but unlike their conference rivals, they managed to continue their momentum into the postseason. Their victory in the wildcard round against the Los Angeles Rams - spearheaded by former beloved Lion Matthew Stafford, no less - was their first postseason victory in 32 years. and they weren't done there.

They then managed to knock off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship game, and it looked like they would win that as well. They held a 24-7 lead against the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers and looked as though they had one foot in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for them, Brock Purdy inspired an almighty comeback, and it was ultimately the Niners who prevailed.

The Cowboys will meet the Lions three weeks on from their test against the Ravens, and they will have to be at their very best if they are to secure a positive result. That's because this isn't the Ford Field team of old. Under head coach Dan Campbell, Detroit has transformed into a gritty, competitive squad that no longer serves as the league’s punching bag.

Quarterback Jared Goff has found new life in Motor City, and with a receiving tandem of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, the passing game is as potent as it gets. Their secondary, featuring Trevon Diggs and Jayron Kearse, will need to be sharp to prevent big plays.

Additionally, running back Jahmyr Gibbs provides a dynamic element out of the backfield and is the perfect foil to take pressure off the aforementioned Goff.

Cincinnati Bengals

In Week 14, the Cowboys square off against the Cincinnati Bengals , a team that has quickly risen to become one of the AFC’s powerhouses. This late-season clash could have significant playoff implications, making it a must-watch showdown.

Quarterback Joe Burrow has established himself as one of the premier passers in the league, and with a receiving corps that includes Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, Cincy's aerial assault is formidable, as is their motivation. Last season, they missed out on the playoffs after reaching the AFC championship game in the last two seasons, winning the first before going on to lose against the Rams at Super Bowl LVI. An elbow injury to former Heisman winner Burrow curtailed his season and he took his side's playoff aspirations with him.