Dallas Cowboys Given Underwhelming 2026 Projected Win Total

The Cowboys believe they can challenge for the Super Bowl, but oddsmakers don't seem to agree.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a disappointing 7-9-1 season in 2025, but they believe they can bounce back and challenge for the Super Bowl in 2026. However, oddsmakers at DraftKings have set the Cowboys' projected win total for the 2026 season at just 8.5 wins, which is seen as an underwhelming outlook for the team.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' projected win total is lower than many expected, as the team has made some key changes, including hiring a new defensive coordinator, and has two first-round picks in the upcoming NFL draft. This suggests that oddsmakers don't have high expectations for the Cowboys' ability to improve significantly in the 2026 season.

The details

The Cowboys struggled on defense in 2025, which held them back despite a potent offense. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has made some changes to the defensive staff, including hiring Christian Parker as the new defensive coordinator. With two first-round picks, the Cowboys have a chance to add more talent to their roster. However, DraftKings has set the Cowboys' projected win total at just 8.5 wins for the 2026 season, which is seen as a low bar for a team that believes it can challenge for the Super Bowl.

  • The Cowboys finished the 2025 season with a 7-9-1 record.
  • DraftKings has released their projected win totals for the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Brian Schottenheimer

The Dallas Cowboys' head coach, who is entering his second season with the team.

Christian Parker

The Dallas Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, who was recently hired to improve the team's struggling defense.

Jerry Jones

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who has had a mixed track record of success over the past 30 seasons.

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What’s next

The Cowboys will need to be active in free agency and make the most of their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft to prove the oddsmakers wrong and challenge for the Super Bowl.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' projected win total for the 2026 season suggests that oddsmakers don't have high expectations for the team, despite their belief that they can challenge for the Super Bowl. The team will need to make significant improvements, especially on defense, to prove the doubters wrong and live up to their own high expectations.