The 2019 NFL season is still a long ways away, but Wednesday marked another important milestone in the offseason calendar. The league officially released the 2019 Dallas Cowboys schedule, along with the rest of the league. Let’s take a look a way-too-early look at what the 2019 season holds for America’s Team.
Instant Reaction: 2019 Dallas Cowboys Schedule Release
The Schedule
- Week 1: vs New York Giants (3:25 – FOX)
- Week 2: at Washington Redskins (12:00 – FOX)
- Week 3: vs Miami Dolphins (12:00 – FOX)
- Week 4: at New Orleans Saints (7:20 – NBC)
- Week 5: vs Green Bay Packers (3:25 – FOX)
- Week 6: at New York Jets (3:25 – CBS)
- Week 7: vs Philadelphia Eagles (7:20 – NBC)
- Week 8: BYE
- Week 9: at New York Giants (7:15 – ESPN)
- Week 10: vs Minnesota (7:20 – NBC)
- Week 11: at Detroit Lions (12:00 – FOX)
- Week 12: at New England Patriots (3:25 – FOX)
- Week 13: vs Buffalo Bills (3:30 – CBS)
- Week 14: at Chicago Bears (7:20 – FOX/NFL Network)
- Week 15: vs Los Angeles Rams (3:25 – FOX)
- Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles (3:25 – FOX)
- Week 17: vs Washington Redskins (12:00 – FOX)
Quick-Hit Thoughts
Death, taxes, and the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants opening the season. In what’s becoming something of a tradition, the two longtime NFC East rivals will face off in Week One. These two have kicked off the season four times since the turn of the decade, with Dallas holding a 3-1 advantage in those games. The last Week One meeting between these two teams came back in 2016. The Cowboys lost Dak Prescott‘s first start, but the team finished their season with a 13-3 record and the top seed in the NFC.
This about as friendly a schedule as Dallas could possibly hope to get. Their longest road trip is just two games and they have a conveniently-placed bye week in the middle of the season. Of course, not everything’s perfect, as the final stretch of the season should provide a massive test for the Cowboys.
Facing off against the Patriots, Bears, Rams, and Eagles in four out of five weeks is nothing short of a nightmare. Making matters worse is that three of those four games are on the road. Tough stretches like this ultimately define a team and will show what the 2019 Cowboys are really made of. If they can overcome this slate of games, then they should be considered true Super Bowl contenders. If they falter, then they might run the risk of missing the playoffs altogether. Fortunately, the first half of the schedule appears to be pretty easy, so Dallas should have a strong record heading into the late-season stretch.
The Cowboys always draw ratings, so it’s no surprise that Dallas has five prime-time games in 2019. What is a surprise is that none of those games are against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. New England and Dallas both draw in fans throughout the league, and a nationally-televised matchup would be a ratings hit. Of the actual primetime games, Week Seven’s divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles should be the best game. These two should be the frontrunners for the NFC East crown and this showdown could determine who ultimately wins the division. The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears should also give Dallas all they can handle under the prime time lights.
Way-too-early season prediction: 11-5
Main photo:
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