FRISCO - Despite their struggles last season, the Dallas Cowboys were still must-watch for most fans, even as then-coach Mike McCarthy's team came undone en route to a 7-10 season.
But now under Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys have gone about their offseason business in a manner we haven't seen for years. Positive coaching changes, coupled with a clear direction in free agency and an A+ draft. Then we add in the trade for George Pickens, one could say Dallas has had quite the offseason.
And so, as the NFL schedule is freshly released ... Dallas is "must-see" TV in 2025.
Right?
Wrong, to some.
First, to the schedule as best we can put it together ...
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday, Sept. 4)
Week 2: vs. New York Giants
Week 3: at Chicago Bears
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 5: at New York Jets
Week 6: at Carolina Panthers
Week 7: vs. Washington Commanders
Week 8: at Denver Broncos
Week 9: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 10: Bye
Week 11: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Thursday, Nov. 27 Thanksgiving)
Week 14: at Detroit Lions
Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17: at Washington Commanders (Thurday, Dec. 25 Christmas)
Week 18: at New York Giants
That's unofficial as we write this. (But pretty darn official, if you know what we mean.)
Now to a national view that is going to be proven as wrong, as CBS Sports' top-10 games to see is a list that doesn't include a Dallas game.
How the might have fallen? Nah. Because - we guarantee it - the ratings will tell a different tale.
The Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles to open the entire NFL calendar. That's must-watch. Additionally, the two games against the Washington Commanders will have monster ratings (and Dallas hopes, huge significance).
But also, Dallas hosts the Kansas City Chiefs, which could easily be seen as must-watch. Same with the Green Bay Packers showdown in what will be the first meeting since the playoff curb-stomping of two years ago.
Oh, and the Cowboys facing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
And the Thanksgiving game.
And the total of games on in prime time or in prime slots.
Is the NFL bullish on the Cowboys' potential in 2025? Those prime-time games tell a story.
Dallas will be the most-watched team … making the Cowboys must-watch.