Cowboys get timely gift from the NFL, the most terrifying stretch of the season, and more takeaways from 2025 schedule release

Though we already knew who the Dallas Cowboys' 2025 opponents were, the NFL schedule release still taught us a lot about their upcoming season. 

From the most dangerous stretch of the season to a timely gift from the NFL and weather wins, below are my four biggest takeaways from the Cowboys' schedule. 

Here we go. 

1. The gauntlet will happen late November through December

The Cowboys play the 11th most difficult schedule in the NFL this year and there's not exactly an "easy" stretch. However, it's very easy to identify the streak of games that could make or break the season. You know, what fans call, the gauntlet. 

• Week 12 - vs Philadelphia Eagles
• Week 13 - vs Kansas City Chiefs (short week)
• Week 14 - at Detroit Lions
• Week 15 - vs Minnesota Vikings
• Week 16 - vs Los Angeles Chargers 
• Week 17 - at Washington Commanders (short week

Oh, boy. In my way-too-early game-by-game predictions, I have the Cowboys going 2-4 in that stretch but the truth is many of those games could be real close. What's clear is if the Cowboys make the postseason, we'll know exactly who they are by January. 

2. Cowboys get a favorable bye week

Speaking of the gauntlet, the Cowboys did get a Week 10 bye week, which is later than what they've gotten in recent years. It's a timely week off as it comes right before the gauntlet mentioned above, which feels like a significant gift from the NFL. 

3. Winning NFC East showdowns will be vital to make the playoffs

In my predictions, I have the Cowboys going 4-2 in NFC East showdowns, splitting the series versus the Eagles and Commanders and sweeping the Giants. That might be an optimist forecast but even with that, I had the Cowboys at 9-8.

Forget about my predictions being right or wrong but the exercise outlined the obvious: Winning within the division will be a must to get to the playoffs because the Cowboys aren't getting a lot of freebies outside the NFC East. 

4. Dallas lands weather wins

Another timely gift from the NFL:  The Cowboys head to Philadelphia, Chicago, and Denver in the first eight weeks of the season, which means they get to avoid cold weather games in what otherwise could be tough situations. They do head to Detroit in Week 14 but fortunately they have a roof over there.

Other than Washington in Christmas Day, Cowboys players don't seem to be in need of shopping for many cold weather outfits.