Analyzing Cowboys' 2025 schedule

Toughest stretch | Week 12 through Week 17   

Following a winnable matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11, the Cowboys meet the Eagles again in Week 12 and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 13. Then it's off to Detroit for a primetime matchup against a Lions team that sent the Cowboys into their bye week with a 47-9 loss last season.

After that, they’ll play a pair of home games against the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers before traveling to Washington to play the Commanders. Those opponents had a combined 81-21 record last season, and Dallas will face them over a six-week period, a stretch of games that could make or break the Cowboys’ season.

Easiest stretch | Week 2 through Week 6 

Opening the season in Philadelphia will be tough for the Cowboys, but they'll have a full 10 days off before facing the Giants at home in Week 2. After that, they’ll meet the Bears in Chicago before hosting the Green Bay Packers, the most difficult game of the stretch, on "Sunday Night Football."

A week later, they’ll battle the New York Jets on the road before traveling to Carolina to meet the Panthers in Week 6, the last early-afternoon game the team will play until Week 16.

Happy holidays | Week 13 and Week 17

This year, Dallas will look to improve its record to 34-22-1 on Thanksgiving Day against the AFC Champion Chiefs in Week 13. Kansas City is 5-5 in Thanksgiving games but hasn't played in one since 2006.  

Four weeks later, the Cowboys will travel to Washington to face the Commanders in the first of three NFL games to be played on Christmas Day. Dallas holds a 2-3 record in games played on Christmas, while Washington is one of seven NFL teams that has never played on the holiday.  

With only the Giants remaining on the Cowboys’ schedule after that, the Week 17 matchup could be the last meaningful game the team plays in 2025.