Dallas Cowboys: 2009 NFL Regular Season Schedule | Fantasy Football Rankings

Dallas Cowboys 2009 NFL Regular Season Schedule

If the Cowboys are to make it back to the playoffs in 2009 they will have to play strong defense and run the football. While these two areas should be Dallas' strength this season, Tony Romo has shown during preseason that he can lead the team as a game manager on long drives.

This is a good sign, up until this point in Romo's career he has been more of an aggressive, pass-first quarterback. If he can complement a strong running game, this team should be strong this season.

Below are three sections of interest for fantasy owners. First listed are fantasy players which we believe are worth paying attention to this season.

Next is strength of schedule against the run, against the pass, and the opponent's points against. Lastly we have a few games selected that will be key in telling how the Cowboys will perform this season.

Dallas Cowboys- 2009 NFL Regular Season Schedule- Printable- Downloadable

Fantasy Players

QB—Tony Romo
RB—Marion Barber
RB—Felix Jones
RB—Tashard Choice
WR—Roy Williams
WR—Patrick Crayton
TE—Jason Witten
K—Nick Folk
D—Cowboys

Strength of Schedule

vs. Run 16th Easiest Schedule

vs. Pass 9th Hardest Schedule

vs. Points Given Up 10th Hardest Schedule

Dallas's strength of schedule is just another reason for the Cowboys to run the football early and often. With Romo facing one of the Top 10 hardest schedules in football for the passing game, it would be wise for this team to use their talented running backs.

Over the summer rumors flew around Cowboys camp that the team might use Felix Jones as the starter like they used to use Julius Jones. In this situation, Marion Barber would come in and run after the first series, as he did before Julius left.

At this time it appears that talk was simply that, talk, as Barber has started every game this preseason. Look for Barber to start and Jones to come in as the game progresses.

Tashard Choice will see time, but it won't be enough for him to be fantasy worthy. If Barber or Jones should go down to injury than Choice would be a good player to have on your depth chart.

Games of Interest

Week One vs. Buccaneers: This first game of the season should be a good grind it out test to see if the Cowboys can play an effective run-first brand of offense. In their first game they will travel to Tampa Bay and play the Buccaneers in the humidity.

If the Cowboys can complete this game with a win it should be a very good sign for this team chances to make the playoffs.

NFC East Conference: The NFC East is probably the hardest division in football and the Cowboys will get no easy games in conference as they play the Redskins, Eagles and Giants twice a year. If Dallas can at least have a 4-2 record in the division, their chances of making it back to the postseason should be strong.

2009 Football Projection

If the Cowboys do in fact make it back to the postseason, it will be a very good year for this organization. I know many people in the media are saying that Romo needs to win the big games in the playoffs, but he truthfully needs to show he can get their without having TO.

Much like Brett Favre in Minnesota, if Romo can prove he has the ability to be a strong game manager, instead of just a gunslinger, he will get much praise for such an accomplishment.

Should the Cowboys get to the postseason this year I believe by next year they will be ready to go deep into the playoffs.

Fantasy Football Information Writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com