Cowboys 17th-game opponent officially on the updated 2021 schedule

The Cowboys will take on the spending-spree Patriots on the road as the NFL expands the schedule for the first time since 1978.

The worst-kept secret in all of sports is now official. Since the end of the 2020 regular season, everyone has expected the NFL to adopt a 17th-game to the regular season schedule. The move was coming regardless, but with the loss of revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic, adding an extra game that matters was even more of a no brainer, despite some players thinking it’s a horrible idea.

On Tuesday, the league owners took a vote and have passed the measure to reduce the preseason to three games and add one to the slate. The format will match like-finishing teams from a division in the opposite conference. The NFC East will go on the road to take on the AFC East which means third-place Dallas will visit the third-place New England Patriots.

Here’s a look at the complete list of 17th games and the total look at Dallas’ 14 opponents for the 2021 season.