WHAT A SCHEDULE

By Mark Halpern

    The NFL season schedules were released this past Thursday, and the Cowboys have a long and fun season ahead. The Cowboys will play the usual division rivals at home and away (Giants, Eagles, and Commanders), but only 6/17 games they will play. Of the non-divisional games, games I am most excited for.

WEEK 2 vs. New York Jets. This is not surprising, especially with the signing of Aaron Rodgers. The Cowboys will face a solid NYJ defense that did well stopping the run and limited on the pass. However, the offense is now operated by Rodgers (who has the Cowboys’ number), and a young and hungry offense will put the Dallas D to the test. However, the Cowboys know Rodgers and how he plays. The Jets offensive line must stop a brand-new D-line and blitzing linebackers all day. This game will be decided by whose defense shows up to play.

Week 5 vs. 49ers. The Cowboys’ rivalry with the 49ers is one of the most legendary. They have met nine times in the playoffs, six NFC Championship matchups. From the Clark catch in 1982 to Aikman to Harper in the 92-93, these teams always bring their best even if they are at their worst. They’ve played in the playoffs the last two years, both of which saw the Niners victorious. The last matchup came in the NFC Divisional game this past year, in which the Cowboys lost (if Prescott would have saw Hilton), and they will be looking for complete redemption on a big Sunday night matchup.

Week 16 vs Dolphins. I know, I know, Leon Lett. Can we please get off of that for now? The Dolphins are no joke as they have one of the best WR cores in Hilton and Waddle (rookie card shout out to Papa Rifkin), who have made Tua a star but not the other way around. This will be one of the more challenging games this season. I am not saying this will be a trap game, but it will test Gilmore and Diggs more than any other team this year. Miami has the offense. Its defense is where problems lie, and if Dallas can’t capitalize early, it will be a very long Defensive game that might be decided by three or fewer points and on Xmas Eve too.

Week 15 Buffalo. Just like I am asking to give up on Lett, I won’t go easy on the team that we beat not once but twice in the Super Bowl (92/93 & 93/94.) However, this doesn’t mean this game will be a cakewalk. We are going to see the matchup everyone has been waiting for, and that is Diggs Vs. Diggs (Stefon Buf and Treyvon Dal.) This will be a fun battle, and we may see some pushing and shoving, but if Mama is in the stands, something tells me it will be fine. This Buffalo team is nothing like the 90s version, but it just means Dallas needs to be healthy and ready.

Week 4 vs New England. This year is the year the AFC EAST to face off against Dallas in a long time, and I am excited because Dallas doesn’t have a walkover schedule, and they will be tested—the greatest coach who runs NE to step on a football field Bill Belichick. New England brings a reworked offense and defense to Dallas in week 4. I wouldn’t take this game lightly cause New England will be prepared. It will depend on the offensive game from the Cowboys to win this one, as their defense should be up for the challenge. I want to see Bellicheck lose but lose to DAK. He has been very critical of him over the years, and it would be fitting for DAK to get this win and put a notch on his belt.

This season will be exciting for Dallas, and their only competition will be from the Eagles. I think that Daniel Jones will be the Giants’ downfall, and the Commanders are finding out their identity once again with the sale of the franchise (Thank God), and that’s how the old man sees it.