Football fans are waiting in earnest for the NFL to release the 2025 schedule. The full reveal won't take place until Wednesday evening, but several big-time matchups have already been announced, including the Dallas Cowboys' Week 1 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That will actually be the inaugural game of the 2025 season, which means the Cowboys will witness Philadelphia raise their Super Bowl banner at Lincoln Financial Field.
Opening up against the reigning champs is one thing, but the Eagles also have the best odds to hoist this year's Lombardi Trophy. While Philly might have to shake off some Week 1 rust, you'd be hard-pressed to name a more difficult season-opener for the Cowboys.
Well, the NFL has decided to throw Jerry Jones and Co. a bone after pitting them against the best team in football. The full 2025 international slate was announced on Tuesday and Dallas will NOT be making a trek overseas at any point this season.
Cowboys' 2025 schedule will not feature an international game
The international slate will feature seven games in five countries across Europe and South America, including London (UK), Dublin (Ireland), Madrid (Spain) and Berlin (Germany) and São Palo (Brazil).
More scheduling announcements: the NFL’s full 2025 international slate. pic.twitter.com/YRYtpj51XP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 13, 2025
Three of the Cowboys' biggest competitors in the NFC - the Commanders, Vikings and Rams - will all play overseas. Washington will play the Dolphins in Madrid on Nov. 16 and Los Angeles gets the Jaguars in London, which has become Jacksonville's home away from home.
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Minnesota is an interesting case as they will play back-to-back games on the other side of the pond. First, the Vikings will play the Steelers in Dublin on Sept. 28 before jumping on a flight to London to tangle with the Browns on Oct. 5.
It is admittedly a short flight from Dublin to London, but adjusting to the time difference for two weeks won't be easy. While it's not the worse-case scenario to play two road games on a neutral field, you have to account for potential jet lag.
The Cowboys will have a difficult schedule to begin with. It is tied for the fifth-most difficult slate of any team based on their opponents' win percentage last season. It would have been a double whammy if they had to travel overseas at any point.
That would have been crazy to say five years ago, but with the NFL looking to expands it viewership and popularity around the globe any team is at risk of being picked to play internationally. It is a win for Dallas that they were not selected.