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Two days late, the NFL has finally announced the 2013 schedule for each of the 32 teams. Here's what things look like for the Dallas Cowboys. All times Eastern.
| Week | Date/Time | Opponent | National TV? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9/8 830p | NY Giants | NBC |
| 2 | 9/15 1pm | @ Kansas City | |
| 3 | 9/22 1pm | St. Louis | |
| 4 | 9/29 4:25pm | @ San Diego | |
| 5 | 10/6 4:25pm | Denver | |
| 6 | 10/13 8:30pm | Washington | NBC |
| 7 | 10/20 1pm | @ Philadelphia | |
| 8 | 10/27 1pm | @ Detroit | |
| 9 | 11/3 1pm | Minnesota | |
| 10 | 11/10 | @ New Orleans | NBC |
| 11 | BYE | BYE | |
| 12 | 11/24 4:25pm | @ NY Giants | |
| 13 | 11/28 4:30pm | Oakland | CBS |
| 14 | 12/9 8:40pm | @Chicago | ESPN |
| 15 | 12/15 4:25pm | Green Bay | |
| 16 | 12/22 1pm | @ Washington | |
| 17 | 12/29 1pm | Philadelphia |
Home Opponents: NY Giants (9-7), Philadelphia (4-12), Washington (10-6), Green Bay (11-5), Minnesota (10-6) St. Louis (7-8-1), Denver (13-3), Oakland (4-12)
Road Opponents: NY Giants (9-7), Philadelphia (4-12), Washington (10-6), Detroit (4-12), Chicago (10-6), New Orleans (7-9), Kansas City (2-14), San Diego (7-9)
Overall Strength of Schedule: .490 Home Opponent Strength of Schedule: .566 Road Opponent Strength of Schedule: .414
Notable Quirks And Trends: This is the first time since 1998 that Dallas opened and closed at home; their record? 10-6. Prior to 2013, Dallas has opened and ended the season on the road every year since 2010. They've opened on the road every year since 2008, and 8 of the previous 9 campaigns. In those 8 season openers on the road, their record is 4-4. They've ended on the road in 5 of the previous 6 years, going 1-4 in those 5 road contests.
The Cowboys are 6-4 in their last 10 home openers, regardless of which week it fell on. After winning 5 straight post-bye games between 2005 and 2009, the Cowboys have lost three straight. Their average bye week over the last 10 years is 5.7. I think it's safe to say it's due to the Thanksgiving game, as the Detroit Lions average bye week over the same stretch is 5.8. Dallas only plays back to back road games once, against teams that were a combined 8-24 last year.
Tough Stretches: Dallas plays consecutive games against teams that had winning 2012 records twice; home vs. Denver then home vs Washington, and their dreaded December gauntlet: @Chicago, home vs Green Bay, @Washington. That three game stretch is by far the toughest part of the season.
For a look at the entire 2013 League Schedule, go here.
By now, we all know that it's pretty non-indicative to look at the strength of the schedule in terms of predicting future success. They don't incorporate free agency gains and losses, player progression or infusion of talent via the draft. Also, coaching changes with opponents such as Philadelphia, Kansas City, Chicago and for all intents and purposes New Orleans also bring different factors to the table. They do however give you the parameters for pre-judging what we'll be facing next year.
All in all, the NFL calendar may have changed to 2013 back in March, but now things are really rolling. Let's fall asleep for a week and wake up at the draft!
So BTB, what do you think? Did the NFL do Dallas any favors or disservices?