the cowboys get SIX national games in the 2009 season. suck it, EVERYONE ELSE.

SEPT. 13
At Tampa Bay - The Bucs have a new coach (Raheem Morris), a new defense (former Cowboys assistant Jim Bates as coordinator) and a new quarterback (Luke McCown or Byron Leftwich).

SEPT. 20
Vs. NY Giants - The regular-season opener for the $1.1 billion stadium will be on NBC with a primetime audience. I don't think Chris Canty's return will be hyped that much, however, but he will get the chance to say hello to a lot of friends.

SEPT. 28
Vs. Carolina - With DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart present perhaps the best running back tandem in the league and you saw how the Cowboys closed '08 stopping the run.

OCT. 4
At Denver - New coach Josh McDaniels will hope some of Bill Belichick's magic rubs off on him but instead of having Jay Cutler, he will have to work it with Chris Simms or Kyle Orton.

OCT. 11
At Kansas City - They have some familiar faces with coach Todd Haley and linebacker Zach Thomas as the teams renew a rivalry that dates back to the Dallas Texans days.

OCT. 18
BYE

OCT 25
Vs. Atlanta - Quarterback Matt Ryan, last year's rookie of the year, and the Falcons were among the biggest surprises in the NFL in 2008. Now they to prove they have staying power.

NOV. 1
Vs. Seattle - The Seahawks did not have a kind trip here last year, but they have a new coach (Jim Mora) who would be helped if quarterback Matt Hasselbeck can stay healthy. And it could be a homecoming of sorts if Seattle picks wide receiver Michael Crabtree, too.

NOV. 8
At Philadelphia - Remember the Cowboys' last trip to Lincoln Financial Field? In case you forgot, they lost 44-6 and were kept out of the playoffs in what was one of the worst defeats in franchise history.

NOV. 15
At Green Bay - The Cowboys won for the first time at Lambeau Field last year and get a chance to make it two in a row against a team looking to bounce back in year two without Brett Favre.

NOV. 22
Vs. Washington - The Redskins won in just 10 of their 36 trips to Texas Stadium but get a chance for a fresh start in Arlington. Albert Haynesworth gets to apologize in person to Andre Gurode for his 2005 head-stomp while in Tennessee.

NOV. 26
Vs. Oakland - The Raiders will be making their first Thanksgiving visit and their first trip to Dallas since 1998. Oakland owns a three-game regular-season winning streak against the Cowboys.

Dec. 6
At NY Giants- In five starts against the Cowboys at Giants Stadium in his career, Eli Manning has thrown 10 touchdown passes to go with six interceptions and has won three times.

DEC. 13
Vs. San Diego - Norv Turner, the runnerup to Wade Phillips in the bid to be the Cowboys coach, returns home, so to speak. As so LaDainian Tomlinson and Kevin Burnett. And lets' not forget the DeMarcus Ware-Shawne Merriman debate.

DEC. 19
At New Orleans - The Saints, led by former Dallas assistant Sean Payton, have one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL with quarterback Drew Brees, who threw for 5,069 yards in 2008.

DEC. 27
At Washington - The Redskins signed Albert Haynesworth to the biggest contract in league history for a defensive player in March, but DeMarcus Ware might top the seven-year, $100 million deal this off-season.

JAN.3
Vs. Philadelphia - The Eagles won seven times in their last 10 trips to Texas Stadium, and Donovan McNabb always seems to be his most elusive against the Cowboys pass rush.