Dallas Cowboys Schedule Release 2018: 5 Best Matchups
With the NFL releasing their official regular season schedules for 2018 on Thursday night, the Dallas Cowboys have some very intriguing matchups.
On Thursday night, the NFL revealed the official regular season schedules for the Dallas Cowboys and every other team in the league. We’ll post that list of games below then go over what we believe to be the five best matchups for the Cowboys in 2018.
But before we get into the regular season, let’s first take a look at the Cowboys preseason opponents and schedule.
2018 Cowboys Preseason Schedule
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco – August 10-12
Week 2: Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys – August 17-19
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys – August 26th
Week 4: Dallas Cowboys @ Houston Texans – August 30th
We also knew who the Cowboys’ opponents would be prior to the official schedule release on Thursday night. Dallas will face off with the talented NFC South as well as their longtime foes in the NFC East. Here’s a look at those opponents.
2018 Cowboys Regular Season Opponents
Home: Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New York Giants
Away: Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New York Giants
Here it is. What you’ve all been waiting for. Below you’ll find the Dallas Cowboys 2018 regular season schedule. And, below that, our list of the top five best matchups.
2018 Cowboys Regular Season Schedule
Week 1: Sept. 9 at Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Week 2: Sept. 16 vs. New York Giants, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Week 3: Sept. 23 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Week 4: Sept. 30 vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Week 5: Oct. 7 at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Week 6: Oct. 14 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Week 7: Oct. 21 at Washington Redskins, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Nov. 5 vs. Tennessee Titans, 8:15 p.m. (CBS)
Week 10: Nov. 11 at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Week 11: Nov. 18 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Week 12: Nov. 22 vs. Washington Redskins (Thanksgiving), 4:30 p.m. (FOX)
Week 13: Nov. 29 vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:20 p.m. (FOX/NFLN)
Week 14: Dec. 9 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Week 15: Dec. 16 at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Week 16: Dec. 23 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.M. (FOX)
Week 17: Dec. 30 at New York Giants, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Source: NFL.com
The Best 5 Matchups
#5 – Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers, Week 1
What a way to start the regular season! In an away game against a stout Panthers squad. It will be a good early test for the Cowboys and a barometer for the season’s outlook.
#4 – Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons, Week 11
When the Cowboys faced the Falcons at home last season, it was without running back Ezekiel Elliott, who had just started his six-game suspension. And that 27-7 Week 10 loss really turned the season sour for the Cowboys and started them on a playoff-killing three-game losing streak.
#3 – New Orleans Saints @ Dallas Cowboys, Week 13
The Saints are a quality team. And these two seem to rarely matchup. But the last time they did, it was in a thrilling 26-20 overtime loss by the Cowboys in Week Four of the 2015 season. That was pre-Dak and pre-Zeke.
#2 – Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys, Week 12
Anytime the Cowboys line up against their longtime divisional foes, the dreaded Redskins, it’s going to be a highly competitive and heated matchup. What better time to showcase that rivalry than on Thanksgiving?
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#1 – Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles, Week 10
There will be no bigger measuring stick for the Cowboys’ success in 2018 than how the team plays the current Super Bowl champion Eagles. If Dallas is able to manhandle the Birds, particularly at home, than the Cowboys should be favorites to get to the big game themselves.