Dallas Cowboys 2010 Schedule Released

By: Joe D.

On the NFL Network you can watch week by week analysis of each team’s schedule.  Additionally, you can find the scheduled released on NFL.com.  The entire schedule was released concurrently by both media at 7p.m. est.

Week 1: Cowboys @ Redskins, Sunday, Sept. 12, 8:20 p.m. on NBC

Cowboys get a break by playing in DC early in the season.  They avoid what could be horrible weather conditions (sleet, snow, etc.).  Additionally, the Cowboys should get a break playing against a team installing a new defense (from the 4-3 to the 3-4).  McNabb’s familiarity with the Cowboys system should make the game competitive, however.  Presuming the Redskins draft either Okung or Williams as their left tackle of the future, Ware certainly should have an advantage against a rookie playing his first game in prime-time.

Week 2: Bears @ Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 19, 1:00 p.m. on FOX

Will the Bears off-season spending spree provide them the desired results?  The Redskins have historically won the Super Bowl every off-season.  Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers will provide a boost, but they have yet to provide Cutler with an offensive line or quality wide receiver.

Week 3:  Cowboys @ Texans, Sunday, September 26, 1:00 p.m. on FOX

Houston fans I have been in contact with have nothing but distaste for the Cowboys.  Their loathing rivals that of Steelers fans.  Houston has been on the cusp the last few years, but expect pleasant weather and an open roof.  Why does the roof matter?  Sound will be able to escape through the roof and it will be substantially less noisy.

Week 4: Bye

Week 5: Titans @ Cowboys, Sunday, October 10, 4:15 p.m. on CBS

The Cowboys are 3-0 after byes with Wade Phillips as head coach with two of the games ending in blowouts.

Week 6: Cowboys @ Vikings, Sunday, October 17, 4:15 p.m. on FOX

The Cowboys will have a four week stretch prior to this game where they will not wander far from home.  Two home games, one bye, and a 1 hour flight to Houston should have the Cowboys relatively rested for an early season big game.  I elect to ignore their QB situation.

Week 7:  Giants @ Cowboys, Monday, October 25, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

This is the only Monday Night game on the schedule for the Cowboys.  The only real question is, “Who will Gruden gush over more, Romo or Eli?”

Week 8:  Jaguars @ Cowboys, Sunday, October 31, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

The Jags have a late bye, week 9.  While there is no guarantee, the Jaguars may have a few more dings and bruises that would have been eliminated by an earlier bye.

Week 9:  Cowboys @ Packers, Sunday, November 7, 8:20 p.m. on NBC

Cowboys dodge two bullets here.  First they are playing in Green Bay in November which is preferable to a December or January visit to Lambo Field.  Secondly, the Packers also have  a late bye, week 10.  Again, they may be suffering from dings and bruises.  Cowboys fans will of course be subjected to hearing that the Cowboys have a poor record at Lambo, though they are 1-1 in the past 2 years.

Week 10:  Cowboys @ Giants, Sunday, November 14, 4:15 p.m. on FOX

The Cowboys travel to the new Giants Stadium in week 10.  It seemed like a perfect storyline to have the Cowboys play the Giants in their home opener.  The Giants in the previous two years played the Cowboys in Dallas for the home opener.  Strangely enough, the Panthers will open Giants stadium in week one which seems like such a wasted opportunity.

Week 11: Lions @ Cowboys, Sunday, November 21, 1:00 p.m. on FOX

The Lions were improved in 2010 over their 2009 effort.  They are a team that appears to be trending in the right direction.  This game is sandwiched between two big games and very well could be a trap game for the Cowboys.

Week 12: Saints @ Cowboys, Thursday, November 25, 4:15p.m. on FOX

Revenge is a dish best served cold, like gazpacho or Jello.  I’m certainly OK with the Saints ruining the Cowboys shot at a perfect season as that would mean the Cowboys were 10-0 at this point in the season.  If the Cowboys were to win, don’t be surprised to hear that a case of fine wine was charged to Sean Payton’s room service tab.

Week 13:  Cowboys @ Colts, Sunday, December 5, 4:15 p.m. on FOX

Will the Colts suffer from a Super Bowl hangover?  Undoubtedly this will be a difficult match-up for the Cowboys.   Many did not give the Cowboys a chance against the Saints in a loud setting against a dynamic offense.

Week 14: Eagles @ Cowboys, Sunday, December 12, 8:20 p.m. on NBC

No Westbrook, no McNabb, no Jim Johnson (RIP), no Dawkins.  Maybe, just maybe the Eagles enter into a rebuilding phase.  If so, I hope Andy Reid doesn’t survive the 3-13 seasons ahead (only because I have such respect for him as a head coach and talent evaluator).

Week 15:  Redskins @ Cowboys, Sunday, December 19, 1:00 p.m. on FOX

This should be a tougher match-up than in week one.  I see the Redskins improving due to a more stable work environment and an improved offense due to a quality veteran QB.  As this game is in Dallas, maybe the Cowboys can run their record to 5-0 against the Redskins in their last five games.

Week 16:  Cowboys @ Cardinals, Saturday, December 25, 7:30 p.m. on NFL Network

The Cardinals have the easiest 2010 schedule based upon last year’s team records.  They will be in contention for a playoff spot despite losing Warner, Boldin, and Dansby.  Fortunately for the Cowboys, this should severely weaken the quality of their team.  Unfortunately for the Cowboys, their replacements will have nearly a full season under their belt.

Week 17:  Cowboys @ Eagles, Sunday, January 2, 1:00 p.m. on FOX

Weather is mostly negated with this schedule.  While we may have lucked out by going to Washington early in the season, it is negated by potentially frigid temperatures in Philly.  As Cowboys fans, we hope for another shutout of the Eagles, though I would prefer if we rest our starters and the Eagles push their record to 4-12.

.

The Cowboys have the maximum number of prime-time games, five.  One on the NFL Network, one on ESPN, and three on NBC.  Adding the annual Thanksgiving game, the number rises to 6.  In December and January, the Cowboys play 4 playoff teams from last year.  Does it seem like the league loves all this talk about a December swoon?

Interesting fact about the Cowboys 2010 schedule.  We do not play a team coming off of a bye.  Consequently, we don’t have to worry about a team having fresh legs and coaches having two weeks to prepare against our scheme.  If you don’t think this matters, ask a fan of the Falcons.  They played four teams last year right after that team’s bye.  The Falcons were an 11-5 team in 2008 and a 9-7 team in 2009.  It wasn’t a huge difference, but they 2-2 against teams coming off a bye.