With division titles wrapping up as we near the end of the 2024 regular season, the 2025 opponents for the Dallas Cowboys are beginning to take shape. Knowing the matchups is usually the first step of the scheduling process, and is determined by guidelines the NFL schedule-makers have put in place.
The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East with their win over the Cowboys this past Sunday, and it marks the 20th consecutive season without a repeat division winner. Dallas took home the division championship last season, and no team has repeated since the Eagles won four straight from 2001-2004.
Washington has second place locked up, and are still fighting for a Wildcard playoff spot. The Cowboys will finish third this season, with the #1 pick hopeful New York Giants rounding out the division in fourth place.
According to a tweet from ESPN NFL Nation reporter Todd Archer, the Cowboys’ home opponents have been confirmed. Dallas will square off with the usual culprits, division rivals Philadelphia, Washington, and New York, but will also host Green Bay, Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota, and Arizona. It’s the Cowboys’ turn to play nine home games this season and travel for eight games.
The confirmed road games will be at New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, and Las Vegas. Their final two road games won’t be set in stone until the results of New York Jets vs New England Patriots and Carolina vs New Orleans conspire in week 18.
The Division
Unless there is a surprise realignment in the next few months, the Cowboys will play six games against their division rivals. The Cowboys are currently 3-2 in the division this season. They swept the season series with the Giants, got swept by the Eagles, and defeated the Commanders in Washington.
The Cowboys are already locked into third place in the division, so their upcoming second matchup against the Commanders is strictly for bragging rights and draft positioning. Dallas can’t even play spoiler because the Commanders already clinched a Wildcard spot.
NFC North
The Cowboys draw the NFC North in the schedule rotation next season, so they will host the Packers and Vikings while traveling to visit the Bears and Lions. The NFC North has proven in 2024 to be a very tough division with talent across all four teams, and 2025 looks just as promising.
Detroit has nearly clinched the #1 seed in the NFC, and are led by a tough-as-nails coach who spreads that attitude throughout the entire team. Jared Goff is leading his team into the playoffs behind a stout offensive line and speedy RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Minnesota Vikings, led by QB Sam Darnold, look just a dangerous as the Lions, and the two teams will square off for the NFC North title and #1 seed in the NFC this Sunday. The Vikings have a potent offense and a strong defense that will still be hard to handle in 2025.
We all know Green Bay as a thorn in the Cowboys’ playoff side for the past decade or so, and they will visit AT&T Stadium at some point in 2025. It will be the first time since they upset the Cowboys as the #7 seed in the 2023 Wildcard Playoffs.
Chicago is the youngest team in the division, but they may have the most potential. Behind the arm of rookie QB Caleb Williams throwing to wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze, the Bears will be a force to be reckoned with sooner or later.
AFC West
The Cowboys also drew the AFC West in 2025. They will host the Chiefs and Chargers, and will travel to visit the Broncos and Raiders.
Kansas City is a threat every season they trot out Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback and Andy Reid as their head coach and play caller. We don’t have to speculate that this game will be a challenge.
Jim Harbaugh has done an admirable job in his first season in Los Angeles, and the former quarterback seems to have gotten the best out of Justin Herbert. The Chargers are headed to the playoffs, and will be a threat in year two of Harbaugh.
Sean Payton has done just as admirable of a job in Denver as Harbaugh has done in his first season in Los Angeles. Denver is 9-7 behind rookie QB Bo Nix, and are battling with Cincinnati and Miami for the final playoff spot in the AFC. The Broncos looks like a formidable unit for years to come.
The Los Vegas Raiders are the New York Giants of the AFC West. They are bad year in and year out, and it looks like no hope is in sight. Dallas should have an interesting matchup in Vegas next year.
3rd Place Draw
Once division opponents and assigned divisions in the AFC and NFC are satisfied, the remaining teams on the schedule are determined by what place each team finished the previous year in their respective divisions. The Cowboys finished third, so they will face other third place teams from other divisions. In 2025, they will face the third place teams from the NFC West, AFC East, and NFC South.
The Cowboys will draw the Arizona Cardinals at home next season. Arizona is not in playoff contention this year, but they have young talent that can have them in that position with the right coaching. Arizona has talented young players like WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Trey McBride to lean on for years to come.
Opponents from the AFC East and NFC South won’t be determined until those division races are completed this Sunday. Dallas will play the winner of New York Jets vs New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints.