There is nothing networks like more than putting the Cowboys on prime time. Obviously nobody got the memo that Dallas is kind of trash now, so we’re about to be bombarded with another seemingly-endless slate of Dak Prescott games.
We’re already getting subjected to the Cowboys on prime time
Enough is enough.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
In 2024 the Cowboys were on prime time an astonishing six times, which was remarkable for a 7-10 team. By the end of the season it was groan-enducing — especially as we watched Cooper Rush take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in early December, a game so bad only sickos wanted to see it.
Now it’s happening all over again. The NFL announced on Monday morning that the 2025 season is kicking off on September 4th with Cowboys vs. Eagles on NBC.
Eagles: Makes perfect sense. They’re the reigning Super Bowl champions, have one of the most exciting rosters in the NFL, and kicking off the season with Philly hoisting their banner is perfect. But ... why the Cowboys?
There is no functional argument for putting Dallas in this game other than “they’re the Cowboys,” and that’s a stupid excuse. Even if you wanted to pitch this as an “NFC East rivalry” then put the Commanders in this thing — you know, a team that’s actually good.
Instead we’re going to get another game hyped to the moon about how this is going to be a great game, then Dallas is going to get mudstomped. Lest we forget that the last time these teams met Dallas lost 41-7 while the Eagles played Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee at quarterback.
By continually rewarding Jerry Jones with exposure we’re telling him that he’s doing a good job. In Jerry World attention equals success, and it gives him little motivation to try and actually be better. Will the Cowboys be better than their 2024 record? I mean, probably? Dak will be back, you’ve still got Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb. There are pieces here that indicate you should be at least above a .500 team.
That’s where this more or less ends though. It’s tough to see Dallas being a major threat for several more seasons and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done on the roster. Adding George Pickens doesn’t change that.
So we wait for the full NFL schedule now knowing there’s at least one Cowboys prime time game on the roster, and realistically there will be another three or four minimum. At some point this madness needs to stop.
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