When is the best week to pick the Dallas Cowboys in a 2025 NFL Survivor Pool?

Week 2 vs. the Giants (home) is the safest bet. Dallas has won eight straight against New York, and the home opener minimizes risk. Week 5 vs. the Jets is another strong option due to Dallas’ home-field edge.

Should I avoid the Cowboys in divisional games for survivor pools?

Not entirely. Their Week 2 and Week 18 games against the Giants are prime picks due to Prescott’s 13-2 record against them. However, avoid the Eagles (Weeks 1, 12) and Commanders (Week 17) due to their playoff-caliber rosters and divisional volatility.

How does Dak Prescott’s injury history affect Cowboys survivor pool picks?

Prescott’s 2024 hamstring injury is a concern, but he’s expected to be fully healthy by Week 1. His 33-8 NFC East record and experience make him reliable for early-season picks, especially at home. Monitor his status closer to the season for late picks.

Dallas cowboys

Team Overview

The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder after a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2024, missing the playoffs. Under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the team aims to rebound with a revamped roster, leveraging star power like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. For survivor pool players, the Cowboys offer intriguing opportunities with a tough but navigable schedule, including winnable home games and a mid-season bye. This analysis breaks down their roster, schedule, and strategic fit for your 2025 survivor pool.

Team Roster Review

Offense

Quarterback: Dak Prescott (3,635 yards, 23 TDs, 9 INTs in 2024, recovering from hamstring injury), Joe Milton (rookie, developmental backup). Prescott’s consistency against NFC East foes (33-8 career record) is a survivor pool asset.
Running Backs: Javonte Williams (free agent signing, 991 yards in 2023 with Denver), Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn. Williams’ return to form post-injury bolsters a revamped ground game.
Wide Receivers: CeeDee Lamb (1,359 yards, 8 TDs in 2024), George Pickens (trade acquisition, 1,140 yards in 2024 with Pittsburgh), Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo. This elite group gives Dallas explosive playmaking.
Tight Ends: Jake Ferguson (754 yards, 5 TDs in 2024), Luke Schoonmaker. Ferguson’s reliability is a quiet strength.
Offensive Line: LT Tyler Guyton, LG Tyler Smith (All-Pro), C Cooper Beebe, RG Zack Bass, RT TBD. Losing Zack Martin hurts, but Smith’s dominance anchors the unit.

Defense

Defensive Line: Edge: Micah Parsons (14.5 sacks in 2024), Sam Williams. Interior: Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas. Parsons remains a game-wrecker, but DT depth is a question.
Linebackers: DeMarvion Overshown, Eric Kendricks, Marist Liufau (rookie). Overshown’s speed adds versatility.
Secondary: CB Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Kaiir Elam (trade acquisition). S Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson. The cornerback trio is elite, but safety play needs consistency.
Special Teams: K Brandon Aubrey (36/39 FGs in 2024, 66-yard preseason kick), P Bryan Anger. Aubrey’s clutch kicking is a survivor pool stabilizer.

2025 Draft Class

Round 1, Pick 29: Traded to Detroit for additional picks.
Round 2, Pick 41: LB Marist Liufau (UCLA) – Athletic playmaker, 4.5 sacks in college. Adds depth to linebacker corps.
Round 3, Pick 73: WR Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama) – Already contributing, brings speed to complement Lamb and Pickens.
Round 4: Traded to Carolina for Jonathan Mingo.
Round 5: Traded to Kansas City.
Round 6, Pick 204: CB Kaiir Elam (via Buffalo trade) – High-upside addition to secondary.
Round 7: No selection (traded to Detroit).

Team Offense and Defense Metrics (2024 Season)

Offense: Ranked 14th in total yards (5,667), 11th in points scored (367). Prescott’s injury limited late-season output, but Lamb’s 1,359 receiving yards led a potent passing game. Run game struggled (26th, 1,678 yards).
Defense: Ranked 19th in total yards allowed (5,896), 24th in points allowed (388). Parsons’ 14.5 sacks powered the pass rush, but run defense (28th, 2,134 yards) was a liability.
2025 Outlook: New offensive coordinator and a bolstered WR corps should elevate scoring. Defensive tackle play and run defense must improve to support Parsons and the secondary.

2025 Schedule Analysis

Week	Date	Opponent	Location	Time/Network	Win Probability	Survivor Pool Fit
1	Thu, 9/4	Philadelphia Eagles	Away	8:20 PM ET, NBC	45%	Avoid: Super Bowl champs on the road in primetime is a brutal opener.
2	Sun, 9/14	New York Giants	Home	1:00 PM ET, FOX	75%	Top-Tier Anchor: Dallas has won 8 straight vs. Giants; home opener is ideal.
3	Sun, Sep 21	Chicago Bears	Away	4:25 PM ET, FOX	60%	Streamable: Bears’ offense is unproven; winnable road game if Dallas’ defense steps up.
4	Sun, 9/28	Green Bay Packers	Home	8:20 PM ET, NBC	55%	Poor: Packers’ playoff pedigree and Jordan Love’s growth make this risky.
5	Sun, Oct 5	New York Jets	Home	1:00 PM ET, FOX	70%	Top-Tier Anchor: Jets’ defense is stout, but Dallas’ home dominance vs. AFC teams shines.
6	Sun, 10/12	Carolina Panthers	Away	1:00 PM ET, FOX	65%	Streamable: Panthers’ rebuild makes this a safer road pick, but divisional traps loom.
7	Sun, Oct 19	Arizona Cardinals	Home	4:25 PM ET, FOX	60%	Streamable: Kyler Murray’s 8-0 record at AT&T Stadium is concerning, but Cowboys have the edge.
8	Sun, 10/26	Denver Broncos	Away	4:25 PM ET, CBS	50%	Avoid: Broncos’ defense and Dallas’ 7-game losing streak vs. Denver make this a trap.
9	Mon, Nov 3	Arizona Cardinals	Away	8:15 PM ET, ESPN	55%	Poor: Road game vs. a mobile QB like Murray is risky in primetime.
10	BYE	-	-	-	-	-
11	Sun, Nov 16	Las Vegas Raiders	Away	4:25 PM ET, CBS	65%	Streamable: Raiders’ inconsistency makes this a decent road pick post-bye.
12	Sun, 11/23	Philadelphia Eagles	Home	4:25 PM ET, FOX	55%	Poor: Divisional rematch against a playoff team is too volatile.
13	Thu, 11/27	Kansas City Chiefs	Home	4:30 PM ET, CBS	40%	Avoid: Facing Patrick Mahomes on a short week is a survivor pool killer.
14	Thu, 12/4	Detroit Lions	Away	8:15 PM ET, PRIME	45%	Avoid: Lions’ high-powered offense and road primetime slot spell danger.
15	Sun, 12/14	Minnesota Vikings	Away	8:20 PM ET, NBC	45%	Avoid: Vikings’ playoff-caliber roster makes this a late-season trap.
16	Sun, 12/21	Los Angeles Chargers	Home	1:00 PM ET, FOX	60%	Streamable: Chargers’ travel and Dallas’ home edge make this a solid pick.
17	Thu, 12/25	Washington Commanders	Away	1:00 PM ET, NETFLIX	55%	Poor: Christmas Day road game vs. a division rival is unpredictable.
18	TBD	New York Giants	Away	TBD	70%	Top-Tier Anchor: Cowboys’ dominance over Giants and potential meaningless game for NYG make this a lock.

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Notes on Key Stats from 2024

Home Struggles: Dallas went 2-7 at AT&T Stadium, snapping a 16-game home winning streak. Opponents exploited their run defense, averaging 125.5 yards per game.
Prescott’s NFC East Prowess: Dak’s 33-8 record vs. NFC East teams (13-2 vs. Giants, 11-2 vs. Commanders) is a survivor pool goldmine for divisional matchups.
Parsons’ Impact: His 14.5 sacks accounted for 35% of Dallas’ total, but the defense allowed 388 points, exposing secondary and run-stopping weaknesses.
Aubrey’s Reliability: His 92.3% FG rate (36/39) ensured close games stayed winnable, critical for survivor pool confidence.

Survivor Pool Strategy

The Cowboys present a mixed bag for survivor pools due to their fifth-toughest schedule (.557 opponent win percentage in 2024). Their early-season home games against weaker opponents (Giants, Jets) are prime anchor picks, while a favorable Week 18 matchup at the Giants could be a late-season lifesaver. However, their four Thursday games and a brutal late-season stretch (Weeks 12-17) demand caution. Tier the Cowboys as Top-Tier Anchors for specific weeks but avoid them in high-risk divisional or primetime games.

Best Survivor Picks

Week 2 vs. New York Giants (Home): Dallas has won eight straight against the Giants, and this home opener is a low-risk, high-reward pick.
Week 5 vs. New York Jets (Home): The Jets’ offense struggles on the road, and Dallas’ home-field advantage (despite 2024 woes) makes this a safe bet.
Week 18 at New York Giants (Away): If the Giants are out of playoff contention, this could be a low-stakes win for Dallas to close the season.

Weeks to Avoid

Week 1 at Philadelphia Eagles: Opening on the road against the defending Super Bowl champs is a survivor pool nightmare.
Week 13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Facing Patrick Mahomes on Thanksgiving with a short week is a recipe for an upset.
Week 14 at Detroit Lions: Detroit’s explosive offense and a primetime road game make this a trap.
Week 15 at Minnesota Vikings: Another playoff-caliber road game in primetime is too risky for survivor pools.

Additional Survivor Pool Considerations

Bye Week Timing: The Week 10 bye provides a fresh Cowboys team for Week 11 at Las Vegas, a potential sleeper pick if the Raiders underperform.
Divisional Dominance: Prescott’s 33-8 record against NFC East teams makes Giants and Commanders games attractive, but avoid Eagles matchups due to their playoff pedigree.
Late-Season Gauntlet: Weeks 12-17 feature six opponents with 11+ wins in 2024 (Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, Chargers, Commanders). Save Dallas for earlier weeks to avoid this stretch.
Home vs. Road Splits: Despite 2024’s home struggles, Dallas historically performs better at AT&T Stadium, making home games safer picks.

Final Verdict

The Dallas Cowboys are a survivor pool wildcard for 2025. Their elite talent (Prescott, Lamb, Parsons) and favorable early-season matchups (Weeks 2, 5) make them a top-tier anchor in specific spots. However, a tough schedule and late-season gauntlet require careful planning. Use them early against the Giants or Jets, and save your late-season picks for teams with easier matchups. With smart timing, Dallas can be a cornerstone of your survivor pool strategy.

When is the best week to pick the Dallas Cowboys in a 2025 NFL Survivor Pool?
Week 2 vs. the Giants (home) is the safest bet. Dallas has won eight straight against New York, and the home opener minimizes risk. Week 5 vs. the Jets is another strong option due to Dallas’ home-field edge.
Should I avoid the Cowboys in divisional games for survivor pools?
Not entirely. Their Week 2 and Week 18 games against the Giants are prime picks due to Prescott’s 13-2 record against them. However, avoid the Eagles (Weeks 1, 12) and Commanders (Week 17) due to their playoff-caliber rosters and divisional volatility.
How does Dak Prescott’s injury history affect Cowboys survivor pool picks?
Prescott’s 2024 hamstring injury is a concern, but he’s expected to be fully healthy by Week 1. His 33-8 NFC East record and experience make him reliable for early-season picks, especially at home. Monitor his status closer to the season for late picks.