Cowboys 2018 schedule: Dates, opponents, game times, strength of schedule & more

The Cowboys 2018 schedule is now official.

Week 1 (Sept 9): Dallas @ Carolina (4:25 PM ET, FOX)

Week 2 (Sept 16): NY Giants @ Dallas (8:20 PM ET NBC)

Week 3 (Sept 23): Dallas @ Seattle (4:25 PM ET FOX)

Week 4 (Sept 30): Detroit @ Dallas (1 PM ET FOX)

Week 5 (Oct 7): Dallas @ Houston (8:20 PM ET NBC)

Week 6 (Oct 14): Jacksonville @ Dallas (4:25 PM ET CBS)

Week 7 (Oct 21): Dallas @ Washington (4:25 PM ET CBS)

Week 8 (Oct 28): BYE

Week 9 (Nov 5): Tennessee @ Dallas (8:15 PM ET CBS)

Week 10 (Nov 11): Dallas @ Philadelphia (8:20 PM ET NBC)

Week 11 (Nov 18): Dallas @ Atlanta (1 PM ET FOX)

Week 12 (Nov 22): Washington @ Dallas (Thanksgiving, 4:30 PM ET FOX)

Week 13 (Nov 29): New Orleans @ Dallas (8:20 PM ET FOX/NFLN)

Week 14 (Dec 9): Philadelphia @ Dallas (4:25 PM ET FOX)

Week 15 (Dec 16): Dallas @ Indianapolis (1:00 PM ET FOX)

Week 16 (Dec 23): Tampa Bay @ Dallas (1:00 PM ET FOX)

Week 17 (Dec 30): Dallas @ NY Giants (1:00 PM ET FOX)

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The Cowboys have five prime-time games and their annual Thanksgiving Day game.

In a somewhat of a surprise, the Cowboys will open their 2018 season on the road against a non-divisional opponent in the Carolina Panthers. Instead of getting the New York Giants in week one, the Cowboys will now host them in week two.

Dallas will venture into Philly two weeks before Thanksgiving for a clash with the Super Bowl champs, a stern test for Dak Prescott and company.

The Cowboys will host Washington again for Thanksgiving Day and follow that up with another Thursday game with the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium.

The Cowboys have to go on the road, in the cold of December to close out their season against the G-men. That’s always a tough place to play at that time of the year.

Strength of schedule

Dallas plays six teams that made the playoffs in 2017. The winning percentage for the Cowboys’ 2018 opponents this past season was a very even 50.4%. That puts the Cowboys right in the middle of the league for strength of schedule, tied for 15th.

The Cowboys face a tougher schedule at home than they do on the road, which is probably how you want it. The away opponents "only" combine for a 61-67 record (.477 strength of schedule) while the home opponents combine for a 67-61 record (.523 strength of schedule).

Preseason schedule

WEEK 1: AUGUST 9-13

Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers

WEEK 2: AUGUST 16-20

Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys

WEEK 3: AUGUST 23-26

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (NBC, 8/26 8:00 PM EST)

WEEK 4: AUGUST 30-31

Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans

2019 opponents

Home: NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo, Miami, NFC West

Away: NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Detroit, New England, NY Jets, NFC South