In recent years, the NFL has done a great job marketing the game. Every step of breeding is designed to create intrigue and excitement for the next season. Another big event in the off-season, it was NFL DraftIt was watched by an average of 11.2 million viewers on its opening night. This week is sure to attract a lot of interest as the league prepares to announce its full fixture list for the 2023 season.
We know the opponents, but soon we’ll know when the Dallas Cowboys will play those opponents. To make things even more exciting, let’s anticipate the Cowboys schedule before it’s even released. Plus a brief summary of each opponent in this year’s calendar.
week 1 in Arizona Cardinals4:25 p.m. on Fox
The Cowboys will open the season on the road against Arizona. Former Cardinals hired Philadelphia Eagles Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will be their next head coach. Arizona finds itself in somewhat turbulent times. Two key outfielders (Budda Baker and Isaiah Simmons) have requested trades. The Cowboys have won six of their last seven against old rivals in the NFC East.
Week Two on Washington Leaders, 4 p.m. on FOX
The following week, the Cowboys head to the nation’s capital to take on a Washington team hoping to improve the offensive side of the ball. Eric Bieneimy is taking over the division’s rival offense after ten seasons with the… power hero Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, the defense added cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with their first-round pick to bolster the secondary.
Week 3 vs. New York Giants8:20 p.m. on NBC
This time last year, the Giants were thought to have been left out in the rearview mirror. Apparently, the objects in the mirror are closer than they seem, and heads turned when they made the playoffs. New York appears to be in the process of rebuilding more than many expected. Without the element of surprise, the Cowboys must understand what the Giants bring to the table. The Giants also reinvested in the secondary during the draft and signed Dexter Lawrence to a massive contract extension to be a problem in the trenches.
Week 4 vs. Los Angeles Rams4 p.m. on Fox
The Rams go into the new season looking to bounce back in championship form after a poor 2022. They are, at least, in a bit of a rebuilding process after parting ways with Michael Brookers, Allen Robinson, and Galen Ramsey. There are also questions about the return of Cooper Cobb and Matt Stafford to the form they finished last season on injured reserve.
Fifth week vs. fifth week. New England Patriotsat 1 p.m. on CBS
The last time these two teams met, we were treated to an overtime thriller. Dak Prescott was amazing and arguably had one of the best performances of his career. Still looking to find a foothold in the post-Tom Brady and Mack Jones era, the Patriots offense is a work in progress. New England also has big shoes to fill after the loss of Devin McCourty who announced his retirement last month.
week 6 in Buffalo bills8:20 p.m. (Monday) ESPN
These two teams have a long history with each other. The Bills and Cowboys met in back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1990s with the Cowboys coming out on top in both games. Most recently, the Cowboys beat Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium in an unlikely miracle on Monday Night in 2007 and the Cowboys lost decisively to Josh Allen & Company on Thanksgiving in 2019.
Both teams expect to compete for championships, and both fan bases have been waiting for a long time. If all goes according to plan, we’ll see Trayvon Diggs line up across from his brother, Stephon, in Monday Night Football.
Seventh week, bye
The Cowboys’ farewell comes shortly before the middle of the season.
Week 8 on Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
About halfway through the season, the Cowboys will head to Lincoln Financial Field for a highly anticipated meeting against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have had a strong offseason. They secured quarterback Jalen Hurts to a new contract, then made a deal to get the Lions running back D’Andre Swift, and picked Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith with two of their first-round picks. The Eagles are retooling for another deep playoff run.
Week 9 vs. the Washington Chiefs, 1 p.m. on Fox
The teams conclude their season series in an early Sunday afternoon game. Chiefs head coach Ron Rivera is entering a pivotal season with the Chiefs. The imminent sale of the team leaves Rivera on uneven ground at the moment but some success against the division rivals could help his chances. On paper, the Cowboys are the better team and should have the advantage at home.
Week 10 vs. Detroit Lions1 p.m. on Fox
This game could be shaping up to be a sneaky contender for Game of the Week. One of the most explosive offenses in the league last season was the Detroit Lions. They added the previous one Chicago Bears Running back David Montgomery who has a penchant for breaking tackles. Amon Ra Saint Brown is Detroit’s best weapon. He had 106 receptions for 1,161 yards and six scores with the Lions in 2022. This game could be a shootout.
week 11 in Los Angeles Chargers4:25 p.m. on CBS
Former Cowboys offensive coordinator Glen Moore welcomes his old team to SoFi Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are still looking to take a big step forward in terms of postseason success after a disappointing playoff loss to the Jaguars in which they squandered a huge lead. Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the game and has the offensive weapons to make a difference. Keenan Allen will return for another season with the Chargers and he’s also added Quentin Johnson to the mix.
Week 12 vs. Seattle Seahawks3:30 p.m. (Thursdays) on CBS
These teams have played against each other on Thanksgiving three times, once when the Cowboys destroyed the Seattle Seahawks 51-7 in 1980. Geno Smith had a resurgence last season and earned a trip to Pro Bowl along with NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Seattle also featured an effective running game, led by Kenneth Walker. Seattle is bringing back one of the series’ all-time best players after Bobby Wagner resigned after a short stint in Los Angeles.
week 13 in Carolina Panthers8:20 p.m. (Thursdays) on Fox
The Cowboys play on back-to-back Thursday nights, traveling to face the fresh-faced Carolina Panthers. Since purchasing the Carolina Panthers five short years ago, owner David Tepper has become their third head coach. Frank Reich was hired as the Panthers’ head coach and the franchise started from scratch.
Wide receiver DJ Moore was traded away to Chicago in a package to get the first pick of the draft. With this pick, Carolina took on Bryce Young’s Alabama team. He is joined in the Carolinas by free-working newcomers Miles Sanders and Adam Thelin. Also, the defense is still led by Chuck Thompson and Brian Burns.
week 14 in San Francisco 49ers4:25 p.m. on Fox
With former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans now the head coach of the Houston TxSteve Wilkes is assigned to lead the 49ers defense. The 49ers have a fierce defense that has given Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense the fit for their last two postseason games. The 49ers still boast one of the most diverse and unique lineups of skill players on the offensive side under the stewardship of Kyle Shanahan.
However, the middle is a question mark. Brock Purdy injured his elbow in the NFC title game, Trey Lance is recovering from an injury himself, and the 49ers added Sam Darnold to the roster. Who lines up under the center is anyone’s guess.
week 15 in Miami Dolphin1 p.m. on Fox
Under head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins made the postseason without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. This year, the team hopes to make the playoffs back-to-back seasons, a feat they haven’t done since the early 2000s. Miami has one of the fastest offensive teams with Jaylen Waddle, Tyreke Hill and a third-round pick, behind Devon Achane.
The defense also got a key addition, getting Los Angeles’ Jalen Ramsey. The main factor for this team’s true potential is Tagovailoa’s health. If he returns to action and stays healthy, Miami is a massive threat in the NFL. Dallas will be tested against an energetic, struggling, and young team.
Week 16 vs. New York Jetsat 4 p.m. on CBS
The Cowboys play their last interconference game of the regular season against a familiar opponent who has his number. Aaron Rodgers, now on the New York Jets, flies to Dallas for another showdown. Rodgers has an all-time 8-3 record against the Cowboys and nothing would make Cowboys fans happier than beating Rodgers again.
The Jets have one of the most promising rosters in the NFL. Running back Bryce Hall was having a phenomenal season before suffering a knee injury. Garrett Wilson went over 1,000 yards in his rookie season, and Gardner’s chick was named a first-team All-Pro and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Cowboys defense must be willing to apply pressure in order to hold off Rodgers and Gates offense.
Week 17 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. on NBC
This late-in-the-table game should have huge implications for both teams. This game may decide seeding for the postseason if not more. Dak Prescott has an 8-3 record against the Eagles. You can expect this to be one of the highest rated games of the season and it will be played on Sunday Night Football.
Week 18 New York Giants, 1 p.m. on Fox
The Cowboys finish the regular season at the Meadowlands against the Giants. The Cowboys and their fans hope to eschew the annual tradition of watching the scoreboard on Sundays during the regular season finale and secure a postseason spot before that game kicks off. Daniel Jones has been given a new contract by the Giants that pays him 40 million a year and the Giants want a return on that investment. Saquon Barkley plays on the non-exclusive tag and is still playing for a new contract.