The Dallas Cowboys will open the 2022 season on Sunday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the second-consecutive year. Their meeting in Week 1 last year to open the season was a fantastic contest that came down to the final few plays.
The Cowboys have not been a particularly good Week 1 team in recent years (unless they play the New York Giants). However, they've been one of the NFL's best teams in September over the last decade.
Unfortunately, there isn’t legal Texas sports betting as the legislature failed to advance it in 2021 and it only meets in odd-numbered years. It remains to be seen if it can get over the goal line in 2023.
But future bettors in the Lone Star state will be interested to know that since 2010, the Cowboys have had the fifth-best record of any team in the NFL during the month of September. They are 24-16 with a win percentage of 60%. The only teams ahead of them are the Patriots, Packers, Chiefs and Ravens.
Here is the full breakdown of how the Cowboys have done in September since 2010
Best NFL Teams in September Since 2010
After Opening Game, Cowboys Roll
One of the reasons the Cowboys have such a good record in September is that they have been fantastic in Weeks 2 and 3. Since 2010, their combined record during that stretch is 17-7. That gives them a win percentage of nearly 71%. They've had several hot starts over the last few years, especially when they take on the Giants in Week 1.
The Cowboys are 5-1 against the Giants in Week 1 (yes, they've played six times in Week 1 since 2010), with most of the games not being all that close.
But what's shocking is that they are 0-6 against Week 1 opponents that aren’t the Giants since 2010. Their last Week 1 win against a non-Giants team came against the Buccaneers back in 2009.
Cowboys Favored in 2 of 3 in September
Dallas will play three games in September this year, two at home (Buccaneers, Bengals) and one on the road (Giants). The two home games will give fans their first glimpse at first round pick Tyler Smith from Tulsa. The Cowboys are favored against the Bengals and the Giants, but they are slight home dogs to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Week 1.
The NFC East is projected to be stronger this season as the Eagles look poised to make a run at the division. If the Cowboys want to repeat as NFC East champions, they will need another hot start in September.
Even though they play two Super Bowl contenders to start the year, don't be surprised if Dallas has another 2-1 start in September.
