Can the Dallas Cowboys Hit the Ground Running in 2009?

The 2009 NFL schedule was rolled out and it more than likely rolled some eyes in Big D. It was the ultimate slap in the face last season when Texas Stadium closed down during week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens and it is an even larger slap in the face to Jerry Jones that the Cowboys do not have a prime time spot in Week 1 of the season to unveil their new billion dollar facility. The only bright spot is that at least this time they get to play a division rival.

The 'Boys are still reeling from the embarrassing Week 17 loss that sent them packing last year. The game was a mockery for a team that was predicted to win the Super Bowl at the beginning of the year. They have a lot to make up for and have made some big moves, most notably letting go of T.O., to show that they mean business this season.

They start the season off against Tampa Bay on the road and should be able to come away with a win. The next game has them in the new house against division rival N.Y. Giants and could prove to be a difficult task. They closed out the old stadium with a loss and may very well open this one with the same result. Hopefully all the brouhaha of a Sunday night game on national television will be enough to get them their swagger back. They stay on prime time the next week and host Carolina on a Monday Night Football game. Worst case scenario, they should be looking at a 2-1 record as they head out on the road for a couple of weeks.

Before their week 6 bye, the Boys have to face off against Denver and KC on the road. While any road game is tough, you would have to believe that a team as talented as the Dallas Cowboys should be able to handle two teams that are in absolute turmoil right now. Sure they may not show up for one of these, but if Wade Phillips likes to collect pay checks, they better go into the break with a 4-1 record.

They have a great opportunity to keep it going with two home games against Atlanta and Seattle. Atlanta could pose a threat to them, but the bye week should be enough to get them prepared and come out of this squeaker with a win. Seattle is traveling and they are just plain awful on the road. Could we actually be looking at a 6-1 Dallas team as they head to Philadelphia to address that embarrassing loss at the end of last season?

This is the most brutal part of the schedule and they will do well to come out of it with a .500 record. They are at Philadelphia, at Green Bay and then home for Washington. With only 3 days rest, they host Oakland on Thanksgiving Day and then hit the road to play the N.Y. Giants. They head back home and face off against the S.D. Chargers. That is 5 out of 6 top notch opponents in a row with 3 significant games on the road. The best case scenario for them is a 3-3 stretch and they will be lucky to pull that off.

The following three weeks of the season do not get much easier. They are at New Orleans and at Washington the following week. They then finish up the season playing the same team that they did last year, the Philadelphia Eagles. Only this time they are playing them on their own turf. If these games mean something, you can only wonder if Tony Romo can finally turn the corner and put some W's up in December. It is realistic that they go 2-1 in this stretch if he shows up and they finish the regular season at 11-5.

The Cowboys have a very tough road to hoe this season and the loss of T.O. could go either way. Yes he caused a lot of turmoil, but now Williams is going to have to be a true number one wide out. This team loves to go deep and Owens made some incredible plays and bailed Romo out of a lot of situations. We are going to see what this team is made up of during the middle of their schedule. However, if they open up the new stadium with a loss, you may be seeing a new coach on the sidelines.

There is no doubt that Wade is on the hot seat this year. Jones was visibly upset that the Boys could not close out the old house with a win and in shock at the beating the Eagles laid on them in Week 17 with a playoff spot on the line. You have to think Wade has a very short leash this season. It should be a very interesting year on "As the Star Turns."