Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Schottenheimer's Cowboys Offer Inside Look at 'Spicy Schedule'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 16, 2025 11:04 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys under Brian Schottenheimer aren't going to shy away from challenges in 2025; they're running headfirst into them.

With a mindset of being a tough, physical team that imposes its will on its opponents, that is going to get a rather stern test right out of the gate with the Philadelphia Eagles on the road for Schottenheimer to open up the NFL season.

But that's not all.

The Cowboys face the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 and the Commanders in Week 7 before a brutal stretch from Week 12 through Week 15, with the Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs (Thanksgiving), Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings rounding out a tough four-game run...and then the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders to follow.

That's a brutal gauntlet, or as Cowboys' COO Stephen Jones calls it, spicy.

"We've got a spicy schedule at the end when you compare it to last year’s playoff teams," Jones said. "We have a big run there playing a lot of playoff teams. We look forward to that and Schotty’s fired up about the schedule and we’re ready to go."

So there will be no easing into the year for Schotty and his team, and just when they see the festive season coming over the horizon, the football gods are there to put them in their place.

In truth, we imagine that Schottenheimer wouldn't want it any other way. Six tough tests, and each presents a different challenge to this new-look Cowboys team.

It is the first time in NFL history that a team plays six teams who posted 11+ wins the year before, and Micah Parsons wants all the smoke, posting on X, "[expletive] em ! Let’s play ball!" in response to the tough stretch.

Parsons is excited, so too Schottenheimer, with the Cowboys' "spicy" schedule, giving this Dallas team the chance to plant their stake in the ground.

And you can bet they're determined to do it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: