Cowboys Oddest Schedule Demand Not a Death Sentence for Playoff Run

Much has been made about the Dallas Cowboys drawing four Thursday night games in 2025 — the first time in NFL history a team has played that many Thursday games in a single regular season.
And while it’s a headline-worthy stat, the reality isn’t nearly as dramatic as it sounds.

Let’s walk through it logically:

 • First Thursday game (Week 1):
Cowboys at Eagles — this is the first game of the entire NFL season.
Meaning: no short week disadvantage at all.
Everyone’s fresh. Everyone’s rested. No travel disruption from a Sunday game.

 • Second Thursday game (Week 13):
Cowboys host the Chiefs on Thanksgiving.
Yes, this one is a short week after playing the Eagles in Week 12.
But the Cowboys stay at home both weeks — no travel, no airplane legs, no hotel stays.
If you have to play on short rest, at least you’re doing it at home.

 • Third Thursday game (Week 14):
Cowboys play again the following Thursday night — but again, it’s a home game.
Facing the Detroit Lions— their third game in 12 days but that isn't unfamiliar. This game also means a mini-bye before playing the Vikings.

 • Fourth Thursday game (Week 17):
Cowboys travel to Washington to face the Commanders.
It’s technically a short week... but again, division rivals mean familiarity, and familiarity matters on short weeks. This game also means another mini-bye before the regular season finale against the New York Giants. 

When you stack it up, here’s the real bottom line:

 • Only two true short weeks (Week 13 vs. Chiefs, Week 17 vs. Commanders).

 • Two home games for the toughest turnaround weeks.

 • Familiar opponents when it matters most.

 • No short-week disadvantage opening night vs. Philadelphia.

Yes, it’s a scheduling oddity.
Yes, it will test depth and endurance.
But the Cowboys have been here before — they played three Thursday games last season, and managed just fine.

This isn’t a death sentence.
It’s just another obstacle — one that, frankly, could’ve been much worse.

Context always matters.