Dallas Cowboys schedule 2015: Diagnosing the vital games

Thomas Emerick (Contributor)

Dallas Cowboys schedule 2015: Diagnosing the vital games image

The Dallas Cowboys are slated for plenty of exposure with five primetime games on the 2015 regular season schedule, which shouldn't shock anyone. Still, this number edges their division rivals just slightly as the Giants and Eagles each get four apiece. (Washington football only gets two.) 

It's surely a good offseason to be a Cowboys fan, especially after scanning the schedule.

MORE: Who has easiest and toughest schedule? | Best NFL games each week | NFL TV info

The biggest test will be ... Week 5 vs. New England Patriots, Oct. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET

Want to suddenly feel old? Tony Romo and Tom Brady could duel once again in an October battle between undefeated teams. The other time was in 2007. Kevin Faulk and Julius Jones were the leading rushers. Time is a jet plane.

A playoff team must win ... Week 10 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nov. 15, 1 p.m. ET

This one sends Dallas on the road but it would still be brutal to lose. (Insert rookie quarterback here) behind an offensive line that features major question marks regardless of the Bucs' draft haul.

Make-or-break time in ... Week 14 at Green Bay Packers, Dec. 13, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Cowboys surely want revenge for their divisional round exit last year and would love to close the deal this time in Lambeau. More importantly, Dallas wants playoff seeding tiebreakers to actually break in their favor this year.

2015-16 DALLAS COWBOYS SCHEDULE

(All times pm ET)

Sept. 13 New York Giants, 8:30 - NBC

Sept. 20 at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 - FOX

Sept. 27 Atlanta Falcons, 1 - FOX

Oct. 4 at New Orleans Saints, 8:30 - NBC

Oct. 11 New England Patriots, 4:25 - CBS

Oct. 18 BYE

Oct. 25 at New York Giants, 4:25 - FOX

Nov. 1 Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 -FOX

Nov. 8 Philadelphia Eagles, 8:30 - NBC

Nov. 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 - FOX

Nov. 22 at Miami Dolphins, 1 - FOX

Nov. 26 Carolina Panthers (Thursday), 4:30 - CBS

Dec. 7 at Washington Redskins (Monday), 8:30 - ESPN

Dec. 13 at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 - FOX

Dec. 19 New York Jets (Saturday), 8:25 NFLN

Dec. 27 at Buffalo Bills, 1 - FOX

Jan. 3 Washington Redskins, 1 - FOX

Thomas Emerick (Contributor)