Cowboys possible TB opponent for opener

[fivetwos]

Just thought of this. Sorry if its been mentioned.

The possible opponents for the Thursday opener at Tampa are...

Chicago
Dallas
NY Giants
Miami
Buffalo
New Orleans
Carolina
Atlanta

None of the division rivals are bona-fide contenders.

Buffalo is certainly the best team but its an out of conference game.

Giants?? No.

Bears with Wentz? Even worse.

Miami could work because of the Florida thing, but that's a reach.

I'd say the likely call is Dallas.

If nothing else, this shows that if the league passes on the Cowboys over these other teams here....after the December flex for the Browns....maybe they are no longer such a ratings darling.

 

[stilltheguru]

I hope they pass just for the fact its an automatic L if we see them week 1.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would say it would be more likely to be Saints. NFL tends to try to put a match up of SB champs and a playoff team they faced from the year before. Much like last season KC opened with Houston a team they have faced in the playoffs the season prior

 

[aria]

Can’t wait until we beat them Thurs night and the predictable over reaction hype train to Las Vegas will be full steam ahead.

 

[jterrell]

Just thought of this. Sorry if its been mentioned.

The possible opponents for the Thursday opener at Tampa are...

Chicago
Dallas
NY Giants
Miami
Buffalo
New Orleans
Carolina
Atlanta

None of the division rivals are bona-fide contenders.

Buffalo is certainly the best team but its an out of conference game.

Giants?? No.

Bears with Wentz? Even worse.

Miami could work because of the Florida thing, but that's a reach.

I'd say the likely call is Dallas.

If nothing else, this shows that if the league passes on the Cowboys over these other teams here....after the December flex for the Browns....maybe they are no longer such a ratings darling.

Great note. And wow it is a real option given these choices.
I'd think Buffalo fresh off a playoff run, Chicago with a vast midwest fan base and a playoff team or us (with a resigned Dak) were really the only national TV palatable options.

 

[jterrell]

I hope they pass just for the fact its an automatic L if we see them week 1.

We play them regardless and I'd think we'd have our best shot week 1 versus a SB hangover type team.

 

[jterrell]

I would say it would be more likely to be Saints. NFL tends to try to put a match up of SB champs and a playoff team they faced from the year before. Much like last season KC opened with Houston a team they have faced in the playoffs the season prior

Saints don't have a QB.
I can't see them trying to do that given the lack of national draw.
Two teams from the deep southeast with Saints not having a QB.
Also Saints are terribly over the cap and not all that likely to be a real competitive team in 2021.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

We play them regardless and I'd think we'd have our best shot week 1 versus a SB hangover type team.

This is my thought as well. Especially with limited people in the stands. This would be our best shot.

 

[visionary]

You can bet this is where all if Jerry’s energies are going and not into building a real contender

 

[stilltheguru]

We play them regardless and I'd think we'd have our best shot week 1 versus a SB hangover type team.

Ehhh possible

 

[Doomsday101]

Saints don't have a QB.
I can't see them trying to do that given the lack of national draw.
Two teams from the deep southeast with Saints not having a QB.
Also Saints are terribly over the cap and not all that likely to be a real competitive team in 2021.

Houston did not have their biggest weapon in Hopkins but again NFL tends to take a playoff opponent from the previous season.

 

[thunderpimp91]

We play them regardless and I'd think we'd have our best shot week 1 versus a SB hangover type team.

Agreed. Week 1 is quirky more often than not. Hell the first few weeks of this season it looked like the bucs would be lucky just to make the playoffs.

week 1 2020 had the jags upset the colts, the bears looked like a dominant team, the cardinals were hyped after beating the nfc champs, the bill belicheck / cam Newton marriage looked like it was on the path to success, and the browns were labeled a dumpster fire.

Give me the tough teams up front and the cupcakes to end the year.

 

[Direwolf63]

Cowboys already play 2 Thursday games: Thanksgiving and the following Thursday.

Doubtful the league will give them another Thursday game

 

[The Natural]

We’ve been reduced to opening night cannon fodder

 

[IceStar-D7]

I hope we are the first game against Tampa.

 

[fivetwos]

We play them regardless and I'd think we'd have our best shot week 1 versus a SB hangover type team.

Defending Champs are historically great in that game.

The hangover generally sets in thereafter.

 

[Carson]

It’ll be New Orleans, Carolina or Atlanta IMO

 

[fivetwos]

Cowboys already play 2 Thursday games: Thanksgiving and the following Thursday.

Doubtful the league will give them another Thursday game

Great point and no they would not....

Although that Thursday after is not set in stone.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Saints vs Tampa Bay sounds good. Let the Cowboys play the Giants or whoever in the NFC East their 1st week lol.

 

[fivetwos]

Just thought of this. Sorry if its been mentioned.

The possible opponents for the Thursday opener at Tampa are...

Chicago
Dallas
NY Giants
Miami
Buffalo
New Orleans
Carolina
Atlanta

None of the division rivals are bona-fide contenders.

Buffalo is certainly the best team but its an out of conference game.

Giants?? No.

Bears with Wentz? Even worse.

Miami could work because of the Florida thing, but that's a reach.

I'd say the likely call is Dallas.

If nothing else, this shows that if the league passes on the Cowboys over these other teams here....after the December flex for the Browns....maybe they are no longer such a ratings darling.

One thing I did forget on the OP was the 17th game.

If all goes according to what we have seen thus far re that....Tampa, having finished second in the NFC South, would pair up with Indianapolis, who finished second in the AFC South.

Which conference begins with home games is TBD.

I'm not sure if Indy, unless they swing some blockbuster for Aaron Rodgers, would change things much.