With the release of the NFL 2014 regular-season schedule Wednesday, or perhaps Thursday, we’ll find out if the Cowboys are indeed still America’s Team.
Prediction: They are, at least as far as network TV is concerned. And, therefore, they’ll open the season on a Thursday night in September in Seattle against the defending Super Bowl Champion Seahawks.
For a team coming off three consecutive 8-8 non-playoff seasons to be even considered for such a prime-time gig says a lot about Dallas’ pull. But where once the Cowboys vs. the Super Bowl champs was a no-brainer, there is legit competition for the prestigious honor of kicking off the NFL season.
The Cowboys playing Russell Wilson and the Seahawks surely has pizzazz. Dallas must travel to the Pacific Northwest at some point, and the matchup makes sense on multiple levels.
But there would also be national intrigue in games featuring other teams on the Seahawks’ home schedule, like a Super Bowl rematch with the Broncos, an NFC Championship Game rematch with divisional foe San Francisco or even the Giants or Packers.
Not that long ago the Cowboys would be a natural fit for the NFL’s lid-lifter. Let’s hope we’re not reminded again this week that those days have come and gone.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
