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IRVING, Texas - An opening of epic proportions deserves an opponent with historical significance and dislike - and that's exactly what the New York Giants will bring to the Cowboys' new stadium Sunday night, Sept. 20, in the second week of the regular season.
The entire nation will see the $1.1 billion stadium's home opener on NBC Sunday Night Football, one of five nationally-televised games on the Cowboys' schedule following their Week 1 trip to Tampa Bay (Sunday, Sept. 13; noon).
The new stadium, which is roughly 90 percent complete, will host a second consecutive prime-time game after the Giants' visit. The Cowboys will face the Carolina Panthers on ESPN Monday Night Football in Week 3.
"We're very pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the stadium to national and international audiences in our first two regular season home games," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "Including the preseason opener (Tennessee on FOX, Aug. 21), three of our first four games in the new stadium will be national broadcasts. I know the networks are eager to show the world our new venue and we can't wait to open the doors.
"It's appropriate to have a traditional NFC East rival on hand to open the new stadium on the 20th. The Cowboys played the first game in Giants Stadium (a 24-14 Dallas win on Oct. 10, 1976), so it's only fair that we return the favor."
The Cowboys won't play their five remaining NFC East games against the Giants, Eagles and Redskins until after Nov. 1, however. The club will face four non-division opponents in Weeks 4-8 (at Denver, at Kansas City, vs. Atlanta, vs. Seattle) with an early bye sandwiched in between during Week 6 (Oct. 19-23).
The November schedule begins with road games against Philadelphia, who trounced the Cowboys 44-6 at the Linc in December of 2008, and Green Bay, who lost handily to Dallas at Lambeau last September. Home games against Washington and Oakland (four days later on Thanksgiving) round out the month.
Not surprisingly, the rematch with the Eagles in Philly will be nationally televised on NBC Sunday Night Football.
The NFL did the Cowboys no favors again in December-January, a perennially difficult period for the club in recent seasons. The five-game stretch, in order, includes a road trip to the Giants (Dec. 6), a home game against San Diego (Dec. 13), two straight prime-time road games against New Orleans (Dec. 19) and Washington (Dec. 27) and a home game against the Eagles in the Jan. 3 finale.
In all, the Cowboys will play seven games against 2008 playoff teams, including three (Giants, Chargers, Eagles) in the final month.
"At this time of the year, everybody's schedule is tough, because things change so much from season to season," Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said in a statement. "You can't look at it like there are any soft spots out there. We've got seven games against teams that made the playoffs last year and we've got our work cut out for us."
The Cowboys' strength of schedule ranks 11th based on their opponents' combined '08 record (131-123-2). In addition to their six customary NFC East games, the Cowboys are playing each team from the NFC South and the AFC West. They're also facing two fellow third-place teams from the NFC, Green Bay and Seattle.
Here's a closer look at the Cowboys' 2009 regular-season opponents:
at Tampa Bay (Sept. 13) This isn't your typical Tampa team. New coach, new system, new quarterback. Byron Leftwich? Luke McCown? Rookie draft pick? The Cowboys might not know until Week 1.
vs. NY Giants (Sept. 20) An emotional night in franchise history could charge the Cowboys, who lost the Texas Stadium finale last December but have beaten the Giants at home the last two regular seasons.
vs. Carolina (Sept. 28) Brief but great history between these two teams. Carolina has faced the Cowboys 10 times in its 14-year history. Dallas leads 7-1 in the regular season but has lost both playoff meetings.
at Denver (Oct. 4) These storied franchises have met only 10 times and just twice this decade (2001 and 2005), with Denver winning each game. Both teams are trying to move past the highly-publicized departures of Jay Cutler and Terrell Owens. Kyle Orton is the Broncos' likely starting quarterback, but defense has been their biggest issue.
at Kansas City (Oct. 11) Another retooling team that might be better with a new quarterback (Matt Cassel). Former Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas brings veteran leadership to the defense. The Cowboys have little frame of reference with Kansas City; they've only played the Chiefs once since 1998.
vs. Atlanta (Oct. 25) Surprise playoff team last year could be better if second-year quarterback Matt Ryan keeps improving.
vs. Seattle (Nov. 1) The Cowboys won a laugher last Thanksgiving, 34-9, but the Seahawks could be more competitive this time if they can stay healthy.
at Philadelphia (Nov. 8) All anyone remembers about last season is the Cowboys' 44-6 loss at the Linc, and that will fuel a week's worth of stories leading up to their prime-time rematch with the Eagles.
at Green Bay (Nov. 15) The Cowboys have beaten the Packers each of the last two seasons, including an impressive 27-16 victory at Lambeau last year. That was in September; the tundra will be close to freezing this time.
vs. Washington (Nov. 22) The Redskins handed the Cowboys their first loss of the season at home in 2008; the Cowboys must stay focused entering a short Thanksgiving week.
vs. Oakland (Nov. 26) The Cowboys have won three straight and five of seven on Thanksgiving Day. Unless the Raiders make a magical turnaround by late November, the home team will be favored again.
at NY Giants (Dec. 6) Starting December strong will be critical against the defending division champs.
vs. San Diego (Dec. 13) Couple of notable reunions: Wade Phillips with the Chargers, his last stop before Dallas, and linebacker Kevin Burnett with his old Cowboys teammates. Provided both are healthy, we'll also finally see DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman chase each other's quarterbacks.
at New Orleans (Dec. 19) The Cowboys lead the all-time series 14-8 but haven't beaten the Saints since 1998. New Orleans has won five straight, including a 42-17 blowout at Texas Stadium in 2006 that helped cripple the Cowboys' division title hopes.
at Washington (Dec. 27) The Cowboys snapped a three-game road losing streak to the 'Skins last year. Both teams could have plenty at stake this late in the year.
vs. Philadelphia (Jan. 3) Could the stakes be as high as last year?
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Rob Phillips - 
