2009 opponents

Although the "whens" of next season haven't been determined yet, all of the "whos" have. In case you're unfamiliar with the scheduling rationale, here's a quick explanation. The current setup makes it so that every team plays every other team at least once every four years, and plays in every stadium at least once every eight. Each year all of the teams in a given division play all the teams in one other same-conference division, and one other different-conference division. Those eight games, plus the six games in their own division make up 14 games. The last two are played against teams in each of the two remaining same-conference divisions who finished at the same place in their division. If that's all confusing, our example of the Cowboys should help sort it out.

Next season the Cowboys will play their regular division schedule (2 each against the Eagles, Giants, and Redskins) which totals 6 games. They'll also play the NFC South (Panthers, Saints, Falcons, Buccaneers) for 4 more. They'll play the AFC West (Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders) for 4 more, which brings us to 14. Finally, they'll play the Seahawks and the Packers (each team, like the Cowboys, finishing this season third in their respective divisions). Does that make sense?

In addition to all of this, we know where Dallas will play these games.

The Cowboys will play home (in their brand new stadium) games against the Eagles, Redskins, Giants (as usual), Falcons, Panthers, Seahawks, Raiders, and chargers. They'll play away games at Eagles, Redskins, Giants (as usual), Saints, Buccaneers, Packers, Chiefs, and Broncos.

(In case you didn't catch that last team, I'll specifically point out that Dallas will play right here in Denver next season. I plan to try very hard to get tickets to that game).

That's all I wanted to say.