After a horrendous 4-12 finish in 2015, the Dallas Cowboys hope to reverse course in 2016 with what is the fifth-easiest schedule in the NFL based off last year's records. The Cowboys figure to be boosted by the returns to health of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and Orlando Scandrick in their quest to look more like the 12-4 team in 2014. Here's a way-too-early and sure-to-be-wrong game-by-game prediction of their season:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, vs. New York Giants, 4:25 p.m. ET

Why wouldn't the Cowboys open with the Giants? This is the sixth time since 2007 the Cowboys have opened with their NFC East rival. They did it last year and needed a final-second Jason Witten touchdown catch for the win. Not this time. Record: 1-0.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET

The Cowboys have won three straight at FedEx Field and won last year with Matt Cassel as their starter. Something strange always seems to happen when the Cowboys play at FedEx Field. Something strange happens here. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25, vs. Chicago Bears, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Bears won their first two games against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in 2010 and 2012, but they won't make it three in a row. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Cowboys had success against Chip Kelly when he was in Philadelphia but they also looked foolish. But the Cowboys will be better suited than most teams this time to handle the pace of play. Record: 3-1.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m. ET

Jerry Jones has made a trade with every team in the NFL but Cincinnati. Maybe they can work something out in a few weeks. TCU product Andy Dalton returns to the area with A.J. Green and a strong defense. Record: 3-2.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET

Including playoffs, this will be the Cowboys' sixth trip to Lambeau Field since 2008. They have won just one of the previous five. The Packers are a different team at home and they will have a healthy Jordy Nelson to help Aaron Rodgers revert to form. Record: 3-3.

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Cowboys have to get off the losing train and there's no better place to do it than in prime time against an Eagles team with a new coach in Doug Pederson, a new defensive scheme and no DeMarco Murray. Record: 4-3.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 6, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

Are the Browns getting the Robert Griffin III who tortured the Cowboys in 2012 as a rookie, or the quarterback who couldn't find the range in his last three seasons in Washington? The Browns have gone the analytics route to fix their team. It won't help. Record: 5-3.

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m. ET

Two gunslingers go at it in Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger, as do two great receivers in Dez Bryant and Antonio Brown. If you like offense, this will be the game for you. The Steelers just have more offense on this day. Record: 5-4.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET

Like the Cowboys, Baltimore hopes it is done with seasons like 2015 when it finished 5-11. The Ravens had Joe Flacco for 10 games. The Cowboys only had Tony Romo for four in their 4-12 finish. Both of these teams could be playoff contenders. Record: 6-4.

Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 24, vs. Washington Redskins, 4:30 p.m. ET

The last time the Cowboys saw Washington on Thanksgiving Day, Robert Griffin III sliced them up in 2012. The Redskins have given Kirk Cousins the keys to the franchise now. Is he that dynamic? Record: 7-4.

Week 13: Thursday, Dec. 1, at Minnesota Vikings, 8:25 p.m. ET

Back-to-back Thursday games are different. A few years ago Jerry Jones was fined by the league for his comments regarding the need for a new stadium in Minnesota. Well, the Vikings now have their new stadium but Jones still had to pay the fine. He'll take a loss here to former Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, too. Record: 7-5.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, at New York Giants, 8:30 p.m. ET

If not for a 100-yard kickoff return by Dwayne Harris last year, the Cowboys would have a four-game winning streak at MetLife Stadium. There is no fear in playing up there and their big cornerback signing, Janoris Jenkins, isn't a good matchup against Dez Bryant. And the Cowboys get a nice 10-day break. Record: 8-5.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET

The Cowboys lost 10-6 to the Buccaneers last season with Jameis Winston scoring the game's only touchdown in the final minute. The Cowboys didn't have a healthy Tony Romo or Dez Bryant and still should have won the game. Both are healthy now. Record: 9-5.

Week 16: Monday, Dec. 26, vs. Detroit Lions, 8:30 p.m. ET

Maybe the Lions are still bothered by their playoff loss to the Cowboys in the 2014 wild-card round. Maybe they still want a flag thrown on Anthony Hitchens. Maybe they should have covered Jason Witten on a key fourth-down play. Record: 10-5.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET

In 2008 the Cowboys needed a win in Philly to make the playoffs and lost 44-6. They could be in another winner-take-all scenario. The Cowboys have won four of their last five games at Lincoln Financial Field, so they have found the unfriendly confines pretty friendly of late. But they did lose Tony Romo to a collarbone injury there last year. The good karma can't last. Record: 10-6.