Predicting every national TV game for the Cowboys in 2024

The 2024 NFL season is still months away, but the schedule release is upon us. After stealing the division from the hated Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys will play a first-place schedule next season. Given their dominance of the NFC East and the overall talent of the roster, the Cowboys are primed to post double-digit wins for the fourth straight season under Mike McCarthy.

As always, the NFL will be itching to put the Cowboys in primetime. They typically play between four and five standalone games every year. Sunday Night Football has almost become Dallas' second home next to Fox, where they're a regular for America's Game of the Week in the late afternoon slot.

With the schedule release on the horizon, let's attempt to predict every nationally-televised game the Cowboys will play in 2024.

Predicting every national TV game for the Cowboys in 2024

1. Cowboys at Eagles

The Cowboys and Eagles are a lock to play one primetime game every season. They played on Sunday Night Football in Dallas last year, which means it could be Philadelphia's turn to host the rivalry on a national stage.

Both teams' seasons ended in disappointment in 2023. The Eagles collapsed in historic fashion to choke away the NFC East and they eventually lost in the wild card round. Meanwhile, the Cowboys' finished the regular season on a high note before crashing and burning in the wild card round alongside their rivals.

2. Cowboys vs Texans

Dak Prescott vs the up-and-coming C.J. Stroud in primetime? There's no way the NFL can pass up this opportunity. Not only that, but Trevon Diggs will finally lock horns against his older brother Stefon Diggs, who was traded from Buffalo to Houston in April. That matchup alone has box-office potential.

Overall, the in-state rivalry between these teams is brewing after the Texans' banner offseason left many analysts thinking they finally have the upper hand on the Cowboys.

3. Cowboys at 49ers

Cowboys vs 49ers is one of the NFL's most storied rivalries. San Francisco leads the series 20-19-1 and have dominated Dallas in recent years. The 49ers have won three straight over the Cowboys, including two playoff games and a 42-10 beatdown in Santa Clara last season that left Dallas fans demoralized.

Mike McCarthy's group needs to put up a better fight this time around. This matchup is a sleeper candidate for America's Game of the Week on Fox, but these teams met on Sunday Night Football in 2023 and could do so again given their national appeal and standing as two of the best teams in football.

4. Cowboys vs Lions

Cowboys- Lions has blossomed into a rivalry after the controversial ending to last season's matchup. Dallas won a nail-biter after the referees called back Detroit's go-ahead two-point conversion with roughly 30 seconds left in regulation. They ruled that Taylor Deckman, recipient of the two-pointer, never reported as eligible. The Lions failed to convert on their next two attempts and the Cowboys won.

That game was played on Saturday night. Given that the Lions are America's sweetheart and a budding contender, we fully expect the league to give this highly-anticipated rematch a national stage.

5. Cowboys vs Ravens

Derrick Henry getting to run against the team that snubbed him in free agency? With two-time MVP Lamar Jackson going toe-to-toe against Dak Prescott? This matchup has all the makings of primetime television. Look for the league to make this the Cowboys' lone Monday Night Football affair in 2024 after they played against the Chargers on MNF last season.

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