Predicting The Dallas Cowboys 2015 Schedule

On Tuesday night (7:00 p.m. CST), the NFL will announce the Dallas Cowboys full 2015 regular season schedule.

But we already know the Cowboys 2015 opponents. Besides the usual pair of battles with each of their NFC East rivals (Philadelphia, Washington, NY Giants) Dallas plays the entire NFC South (Carolina, New Orleans, Atlanta, Tampa Bay) and the AFC East (New England, Buffalo, Miami, NY Jets).

As defending NFC East champions, the Cowboys will also have the pleasure of facing the first-place finishers from the NFC West (Seattle) and the NFC North (Green Bay).

The home and away opponents have also already been established:

HOME: ATL, CAR, NE, NYJ, SEA, WAS, NYG, PHI

AWAY: NO, TB, BUF, MIA, GB, WAS, NYG, PHI

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Now the fun part… trying to read the minds of the NFL scheduling gurus in order to see when some of the marquee match ups will actually occur. Here are some of my gut feelings for where some of the key games will land:

SEASON OPENER: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Will it be home or away? The last two seasons the Cowboys opened up at AT&T Stadium against the Niners (2014) and Giants (2013). The two years before that they opened on the road. Both times in New York (2012 Jets, 2011 Giants). Seems like it’s time for them to open with a roadie. What a perfect way to welcome rookie quarterback Jameis Winston to the NFL…bring in the Cowboy’s suspect secondary and see if the likely first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft can put on a show.

HOME OPENER: Seattle Seahawks

Since they took it easy on Dallas in Week 1, the NFL will surely go strong for the Cowboys first game in the Death Star. The Cowboys have been forced to play the 12th Man up in Seattle the past two seasons. At least this time they get to play the defending NFC Champs in Arlington, Texas in front of what is likely to be an excitable Cowboys crowd.

BYE WEEK: Week 8

The last two years the Cowboys did not get a week off until the 11th week of the season. In both 2012 and 2011 Dallas received a very early Week 5 break. I think 2015 will fall somewhere in the middle. Week 8 sounds almost perfect.

THANKSGIVING: Atlanta Falcons

Last year the Eagles feasted on Dallas in the traditional Turkey Day special. The three Thanksgiving games before that the Cowboys played weaker opponents including the Raiders (2013), Redskins (2012), and Dolphins (2011). The NFL knows that America will watch the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving no matter who the opponent is. They won’t waste a marquee game for this one. Carolina could also be a contender for this game.

GREEN BAY GAME: December

No brainer here… The Frozen Tundra is not rock solid until December. The NFL will not be able to resist Ice Bowl III.

EAGLE GAMES: Week 3 and Week 17

In a slow season these games are huge. With DeMarco Murray flying with the Eagles now and Chip Kelly grabbing the offseason headlines on a daily basis (Tim Tebow, really?) these games will no doubt both be in Prime Time. Look for an early season Monday Night game in Dallas where DeMarco’s return to Big D will be the national focus. A late season trip to the city of Brotherly Love will most likely be a Sunday Nighter late in the season.

OTHER PRIME TIME GAMES: Patriots and @Saints

If you typically splurge for the NFL’s Sunday Ticket so you can see all the Cowboys games… don’t bother this season. With the divisional rivalries heating up and with a schedule riddled with recent Super Bowl contenders, more Cowboys games than ever will find there way on to the national stage. Look for a home battle with quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots and a road game against quarterback Drew Brees and the always tough Super Dome crowd to both fall into a Prime Time slot.

At first glance, this will not be an easy road back to the playoffs for America’s Team.

Next: Eagles Are Helping Cowboys Win A Super Bowl

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