Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 NFL Schedule: Release date, opponents, biggest games, and predictions

With the 2024 NFL Draft in the books and free agency at its slowest, the Dallas Cowboys are in the thick of the offseason.

For fans, that might mean a slower news cycle is up ahead but there's still a major aspect of the offseason that is approaching: The NFL's schedule release.

Without any further ado, let's get to all that we know about the 2024 Cowboys schedule, including potential primetime showdowns, revenge games, key matchups, and much more!

Cowboys' Schedule Release Date

During the 2024 NFL Draft, the league teased the league schedule for the upcoming season will be released in May. Although no exact date was announced, expectations are for it to come out in the middle of May, as it was released on May 12 in 2022 and May 11 in 2023.

We'll update this post with the Cowboys' exact schedule once it becomes official.

Home and Away Opponents

Home 

• Philadelphia Eagles
• New York Giants
• Washington Commanders
• Houston Texans
• Detroit Lions
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals

Away 

• Philadelphia Eagles
• New York Giants
• Washington Commanders
• San Francisco 49ers
• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest Games on the Vikings' 2024 Schedule

• Cowboys vs Eagles: Once again, the Cowboys are expected to battle out the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles, who have taken a very different approach to that of Dallas' by becoming one of the highest-spending teams in 2024. These two will be the biggest matchups of the year.
• Cowboys 49ers: Last year, the Cowboys were punched in the mouth (again and again) by the 49ers at Levi's Stadium. One more time, this game will be perceived as the measuring stick for Dallas. Can they hold on against the elite of the NFC? 
• Cowboys vs. Ravens: This might not be the biggest games in terms of the stakes as it's AFC vs. NFC but it's a matchup between last year's MVP (Lamar Jackson) and the runner up (Dak Prescott). It belongs on this list.

Predicting Primetime Matchups and Week 1 / Week 18 opponents

Which games will be primetime viewing?

Last year, the Cowboys got a historic six primetime games (not including Thanksgiving) and I expect no different in 2024 as America's Team remains the king TV-ratings around the league. 

Here are my guesses for this year's Primetime games:

Cowboys vs. Commanders: You might be surprised at this one but it makes sense for two reasons. Firstly, why not get the second overall pick, QB Jayden Daniels, in a divisional game against the Cowboys? And secondly, it's Dan Quinn facing off against his former team. I'd be surprised if the league passes on this possibility.

Cowboys @ 49ers: The league won't pass on this opportunity. We broke it down above but it'll be an early-season chance to hype up Cowboys fans with a big game.

Cowboys vs. Texans: The league can't mess this one up. C.J. Stroud is off to a great start and he's injected life into the Cowboys' in-state rival. We absolutely need a Prescott-Stroud matchup in the 2024 schedule.

Cowboys - Eagles: One of the two games between these two will be primetime viewing and I don't even have to explain it. If you know, you know.

Cowboys vs. Giants: I don't know about three divisional primetime games but I'll be honest, I can't remember the last time the Cowboys and the Giants didn't face off on a primetime game so it's going on the list.

Cowboys vs. Lions: Remember the drama last year? Let's run it back. You - and most importantly - the NFL, know it will sell. Hopefully, this time, the conversation isn't all about an ineligible receiver call. These two will be two of the best teams in the conference and it makes sense as a late-season game with seeding implications. 

Strength of Schedule (based off Vegas win totals, not 2023 record)

Strength of schedule going by 2023 makes no sense in an ever-evolving league that consistently has new teams making the playoffs each year. So instead, will use Warren Sharp's rankings based off sportsbooks' projected win totals for the upcoming season.

In this, the Cowboys rank 22nd (32nd being the hardest), a reflection of facing the AFC North and Texans in interconference play while also dealing with the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles twice. It's noteworthy that the Cowboys have the toughest schedule in the NFC East.