Dallas Quarterback Tony Romo dropping back to pass against the Packers in 2007 (Courtesy of imageevent.com)
The 2013 NFL schedule was released Thursday night with much rejoice from Cowboys faithful, as it appears for the first time in recent memory the most controversial team in football finally got the comfy end of the draw.
Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo will look to avenge his terrible performance at home last season against the Giants, when he and his Dallas teammates open the year at home against their NFC East rivals on Sept. 8 on Sunday night football. The Cowboys haven’t had a season opener at home since 2007 when they defeated the Giants by a score of 45-35 on their way to a 13-3 record, the best in the conference.
A week later, Dallas begins a romp through the western divisions of both conferences with a noon game against the team with the worst record in the league in 2012, the Kansas City Chiefs and new coach Andy Reid. Next is perennial underperforming St. Louis, followed by a road trip to sunny San Diego for a matchup against the Chargers on Sept. 29.
The first real test of the season begins the following week as Dallas returns home to host Peyton Manning and the super bowl frontrunners, the Denver Broncos. The front seven of the Broncos will prove a fantastic test for Romo and the offensive line, which will hopefully be gaining some form of help in this coming Thursday night’s draft.
Following back-to-back games against NFC East opponents, including another Sunday night game against Robert Griffin III on Oct. 13, Dallas will travel north to face off against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 27.
Tough times come from that point forward, as Adrian Peterson’s Vikings come to Arlington, followed by the final Sunday night football game of the season for Dallas, a road game on Nov. 10 against the New Orleans Saints.
Thanksgiving Day will bring the Oakland Raiders, four days after the team travels to play in the future sight of the Super Bowl against the Giants.
From there, the season becomes a gauntlet that will decide how far the 2013 Cowboys will rise or fall, starting with a rematch of last year’s Monday Night loss to Chicago, as Dallas travels for a game against the Bears.
The season concludes with three difficult games, two at home, against the Packers, Redskins and Eagles in order.
Dallas must hope to remain much healthier than they were a year ago, and with their new acquisitions through free agency and the draft, could make a stronger statement than that of last year’s 8-8 squad.
