Latest Cowboys 2025 schedule release predictions call for preferred treatment from the NFL, sad Week 1 news, and calm Christmas

The NFL is releasing its schedule for the 2025 regular season on Wednesday and it's time to predict what the Dallas Cowboys' year will look like. 

Predicting the 18-game schedule week by week is foolish business and while putting together any prediction regarding the calendar is tough to do with actual evidence, I'm just having some fun with five predictions. 

After all, we're in the middle of May and you and I both know, the schedule causes hype even if we don't understand why. Let's dive in. 

1. Cowboys will land six primetime games, what else is new? 

In 2023, the NFL raised the primetime game limit per team from five to six and the Cowboys have gotten that amount each of the last two seasons. Though they enter the year with lower expectations per the betting markets, we're still talking about America's Team here. So you know they'll still have that preferred treatment from the NFL. Ratings talk, baby. 

Just for fun, here's my prediction for which games will make it to primetime: Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions. 

2. Cowboys won't be picked as NFL Kickoff rival against the Philadelphia Eagles

UPDATE: Well, that prediction lasted under an hour. The NFL did pick the Cowboys as the kickoff rival and announced it earlier than the official release (Monday). It won't be easy for Cowboys fans to watch the Philadelphia Eagles open the season as defending Super Bowl champions, but it would be much easier on them if Dallas was also playing. Don't bet on it. 

It may hurt to admit it, but there are more relevant and fun matchups to make than having Brian Schottenheimer making his career debut as head coach on primetime TV. 

3. Cowboys will face Los Angeles Chargers in Thanksgiving

Since 2016, the Cowboys have either played a division rival or a team out of the AFC in Thanksgiving. This time, it's the AFC West and the New York Jets they're facing out of the opposing conference. Considering they've faced an NFC East team in each of the past three year, I'm betting on an AFC squad for 2025. 

I'm aiming toward a game that isn't a monster rating by itself—like the Chiefs—but also has some quality to it. Give me a 2017 repeat with the Chargers.

4. Cowboys to escape Netflix' slate of Christmas games

The NFL isn't leaving Christmas Day alone and it won't anytime soon. But will the Cowboys get a slot on Dec. 25? 

"I imagine we’re gonna keep rotating Christmas around, too," said NFL's V.P. of broadcast planning Mike North earlier in the offseason, meaning you can expect different NFL teams to show up every year. 

I don't see the Cowboys being picked any time soon, however. Dallas already has Thanksgiving and will likely land another Thursday game. The 25th is on a Thursday. I think the NFL gives other teams the spotlight.  

5. Cowboys face off versus Washington Commanders in season finale

Since 2022, the Cowboys hace closed the regular season against Washington. This year, it wouldn't be a surprise if they take the field with a Wild Card spot on the line. The Eagles are good enough to where they are large favorites to win the NFC East. Perhaps the drama will be in the Wild Card race between these two squads.

If so, Prescott vs. Jayden Daniels would be an easy flex to the primetime slot.