GAME 1: New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
WHEN:Sunday, Sept. 10; 7:30 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: AT&T Stadium; Arlington, Texas
TELEVISION: NBC
Giants' 2016 Record: 11-5; 2nd Place, NFC East
Early Storyline: The Cowboys tied a franchise record with 13 victories in 2016, but they didn't quite figure out the Giants. New York handed the Cowboys two of their three regular-season losses, including the season opener last September at AT&T Stadium.
Key Stat:Dak Prescott won Offensive Rookie of the Year with arguably the best rookie season by a quarterback in NFL history. But the Giants did a terrific job taking away passing lanes in both meetings last season. Prescott's combined stat line: 42-of-82 for 392 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions.
GAME 2: Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17; 3:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium; Denver
TELEVISION: FOX
Broncos' 2016 Record: 9-7, 3rd Place, AFC West
Early Storyline: Who's playing quarterback for the Broncos? Tony Romo made the new career move to CBS, ending offseason speculation that he could ultimately wind up in Denver. At this point, the Broncos look committed to Trevor Siemian and last year's first-round pick Paxton Lynch.
Key Stat: Led by star pass rusher Von Miller, Denver allowed the fewest passing yards per game (185.8) by a large margin – the second-best pass defense was Houston (201.6).
GAME 3: Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 25; 7:30 p.m. (Central)
WHERE:University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, Ariz.
TELEVISION:ESPN
Cardinals' 2016 Record: 7-8-1; 2nd Place, AFC West
Early Storyline:The Cardinals took a step back from their NFC Title game appearance in 2015, and for a few weeks this offseason it seemed uncertain whether quarterback Carson Palmer would return for a 17th season. Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald are indeed back for another push toward the playoffs.
Key Stat: Arizona's defense led the league in sacks (48) and the Cardinals were the only team in the league with two players in the top 10 in sacks: linebackers Markus Golden (12.5) and Chandler Jones (11).
GAME 4:Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 1; Noon (Central)
WHERE:AT&T Stadium
TELEVISION: FOX
Rams' 2016 Record: 4-12; 3rd Place, AFC West
Early Storyline: The Rams are blending young talent with proven experience: 31-year-old new head coach Sean McVay and new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Cowboys' head coach from 2007-10. L.A. needs progress from last year's No. 1 pick Jared Goff, who went 0-7 as a rookie starter.
Key Stat: The Cowboys haven't played the "Los Angeles" Rams in the regular season or playoffs since 1992. The franchises used to face each other quite regularly beginning in 1960 as conference rivals, but they played only seven times during the Rams' 20-year stay in St. Louis from 1995-2015.
GAME 5: Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 8; 3:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: AT&T Stadium
TELEVISION: FOX
Packers' 2016 Record:10-6; 1st Place, NFC North
Early Storyline:Easy – the rematch from an instant classic divisional-round game at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys won at Lambeau Field in October, but in the postseason Aaron Rodgers and the Pack prevailed late to upset the NFC's top seed, 35-31.
Key Stat: The playoff game will always be remembered for the Aaron Rodgers' brilliant throw and Jared Cook's tip-toe catch to set up the winning field goal, but Prescott's playoff debut basically matched Green Bay's star quarterback in the box column. Rodgers: 28-of-43, 355 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception; Prescott: 24-of-38, 302 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception.
GAME 6: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 22; 3:05 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: Levi's Stadium; Santa Clara, Calif.
TELEVISION:FOX
49ers' 2016 Record: 2-14; 4th Place, NFC West
Early Storyline: The 49ers will have a different look than the team that lost by seven to the Cowboys at home last October. Kyle Shanahan is their new head coach, John Lynch is their new general manager, and free-agent signing Brian Hoyer could be their new starting quarterback, replacing Blaine Gabbert.
Key Stat: The 49ers kept the game close deep into the fourth quarter against Dallas last season, but for the duration of the year they struggled on both sides of the ball: they ranked 31st in points per game (19.3) and 32nd in points allowed per game (30.0).
GAME 7: Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 29; 3:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: FedExField; Landover, Md.
TELEVISION: FOX
Redskins' 2016 Record: 8-7-1; 3rd Place, NFC East
Early Storyline:Prescott's first career win might have salvaged the Cowboys' playoff hopes all the way back in Week 2. His late fourth-quarter touchdown drive lifted Dallas to a 27-23 victory and dodged an 0-2 start. What's he got in store for an encore?
Key Stat: Both Cowboys wins over Washington were decided by a grand total of nine points. In fact, four of the last seven meetings between the NFC East rivals were decided by less than a touchdown.
GAME 8: Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5; 3:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: AT&T Stadium
TELEVISION:CBS
Chiefs' 2016 Record: 12-4; 1st Place, AFC West
Early Storyline: This is only the 11th meeting between two historic franchises. Dallas leads the all-time series 6-4, but the Chiefs won the last matchup, 17-16, back in 2013.
Key Stat: Led by Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry and cornerback Marcus Peters, Kansas City led the league in takeaways (33), a big factor in its run to the AFC divisional round.
GAME 9: Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12; 3:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TELEVISION: FOX
Falcons' 2016 Record: 11-5; 1st Place, AFC South
Early Storyline: These high-powered offenses would have faced off in the NFC Title Game if Green Bay hadn't pulled the upset in the divisional round at AT&T Stadium. The Falcons and Cowboys should begin the season among the short list of favorites in the conference.
Key Stat: The Falcons have a young, improving defense, but their biggest strength is their offense. Atlanta lead the league with 33.8 points per game and topped 40 points six times, including playoffs.
GAME 10: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
WHEN:Sunday, Nov. 19; 7:30 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: AT&T Stadium
TELEVISION: NBC
Eagles' 2016 Record:7-9; 4th Place, NFC East
Early Storyline:The division rivals played an overtime thriller last year at AT&T Stadium, the first of what should be many matchups between quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Prescott. Both have a full season in their respective systems. How much growth will they show in Year 2?
Key Stat:Tight end Jason Witten caught the dramatic deciding touchdown in overtime, coinciding with two career milestones: breaking Ed "Too Tall" Jones' team record for most career starts and tying Lee Roy Jordan's team record for most consecutive starts.
GAME 11: Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 23; 3:30 p.m. (Central)
WHERE:AT&T Stadium
TELEVISION:CBS
Chargers' 2016 Record: 5-11; 4th Place, AFC West
Early Storyline:Perhaps relocation from San Diego will present a fresh start for a Chargers franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 2013 and has won nine total games over the last two seasons. The Cowboys last faced them in 2013, losing 30-21 on the road.
Key Stat: The Chargers committed the most turnovers in the league last year (35), including a career-high 21 interceptions by longtime quarterback Philip Rivers.
GAME 12: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 30; 7:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: AT&T Stadium
TELEVISION: NBC/NFL Network/Amazon
Redskins' 2016 Record:8-7-1; 3rd Place, NFC East
Early Storyline:The Cowboys' offensive line will see a familiar face across the line of scrimmage. The Redskins signed defensive tackle Terrell McClain to help improve last year's 24th-ranked run defense (119.8 yards allowed per game).
Key Stat:The Redskins did make forward progress difficult for NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott in two meetings last year: 21 carries for 83 yards in Week 2, including two fumbles that got him benched in the fourth quarter; and 20 carries for 97 yards on Thanksgiving, though he did have 2 touchdowns in the Cowboys' 31-26 win, including a fourth-quarter score that essentially put the game away.
GAME 13: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
WHEN:Sunday, Dec. 10; 3:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, N.J.
TELEVISION: FOX
Giants' 2016 Record:11-5; 2nd Place, NFC East
Early Storyline: The Giants addressed their defense in free agency last year by dishing out more than $100 million to defensive end Olivier Vernon, defensive tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Janoris Jenkins. This year they focused on their offense, which ranked near the bottom of league in scoring (19.4 per game). Veteran wideout Brandon Marshall's arrival could take pressure off Eli Manning's top passing target, Odell Beckham Jr.
Key Stat:The Giants won at AT&T Stadium but were actually a much better home team last year. They went 7-1 at MetLife Stadium, including a gritty 10-7 win over the Cowboys in December.
GAME 14: Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 17; 7:30 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: Oakland-Alameda Coliseum; Oakland, Calif.
TELEVISION: NBC
Raiders' 2016 Record:12-4; 2nd Place, AFC West
Early Storyline: The Raiders aren't heading to Vegas just yet, and their matchup with the Cowboys in Oakland features two of the league's most promising quarterbacks, Derek Carr and Prescott. Oakland's 12 wins were the franchise's most since 2000, but without an injured Carr they lost to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
Key Stat: Carr had an NFL-best seven late-game comebacks last season. The Cowboys played in 10 games, including playoffs, decided by a touchdown or less.
GAME 15: Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 24; 3:25 p.m. (Central)
WHERE: AT&T Stadium
TELEVISION: FOX
Seahawks' 2016 Record:10-5-1; 1st Place, NFC West
Early Storyline: Plenty of star power in this matchup between the Cowboys' ultra-efficient offense and Seattle's Legion of Boom defense. The Cowboys are looking to establish Seattle's recent level of consistency. Both teams won their respective divisions in 2014 and 2016, but the Seahawks have made the playoffs five straight years and six of the last seven.
Key Stat: Seattle ranked third behind only the Patriots and Giants in points allowed per game last season (18.3). The Cowboys scored 26.3 points per game, fifth best in the league.
GAME 16:Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 31; Noon (Central)
WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field; Philadelphia
TELEVISION: FOX
Eagles' 2016 Record: 7-9; 4th Place, NFC East
Early Storyline: Last season's trip to Philly held little suspense. With the No. 1 playoff seed already sewn up, the Cowboys sat their starters for the majority of the Jan. 1 regular-season finale and the Eagles prevailed at home, 27-13. Will there be more at stake this time around?
Key Stat: The Eagles' top free-agent signing, veteran receiver Alshon Jeffrey, has given the Cowboys fits at times. His combined stats in the last three games against Dallas as a member of the Chicago Bears: 16 catches for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns.
