In a surprise move, the NFL announced Tuesday that the Cowboys will open the season with a visit to the defending Super Bowl champion Giants on Wednesday, Sept. 5. It's a surprise because the league had only held one divisional game in eight seasons since the new NFL Kickoff game in primetime was created. It's also a bit of a surprise because NBC had both Giants-Cowboys games last year, and there were some intriguing alternatives for the opener this year. (Packers-Giants or Steelers-Giants.)
We shouldn't be too surprised, however, because the Cowboys remain "America's Team" whether you like it or not. The six highest rated games in NBC's Sunday Night Football history all featured the Cowboys. Tops on that list: New York's convincing victory over Dallas to clinch the NFC East in Week 17 last year.
It's not all about ratings, of course. The two teams figure to be battling for the division crown all year. Dallas' new-look secondary will be tested quickly by Eli Manning and a Giants offense that will return almost all of their key starters. New York's defensive line will be back to prove they remain the game's best.
Mara said last weekend that the Cowboys and Redskins were "lucky they didn't lose draft picks."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responded on Tuesday, saying "I would like to settle this on the field," according to ESPNDallas.com.
He'll have his chance even earlier than he thought.
The game will be on Wednesday in deference to President Barack Obama's Thursday address at the Democratic National Convention.
It's a good thing for Obama that he doesn't have to battle for eyeballs with this particular game. Love them or hate them, the Cowboys still attract a whole lot of attention.
