The most popular teams end up in the prime TV slots during the NFL season, and after years of dominance by the Cowboys, the Texans are starting to catch up.  Between the two teams, fans will get seven prime-time games this fall.  

The NFL announced the schedules last week, and both the Texans and Cowboys will kick off the regular season on September 9th. The Cowboys start the season on the road in Carolina at the Panthers at 3:25pm Central, and the Texans will open up with a road game against the Patriots at noon our time. 

After the season opening day games, there will be plenty of opportunities to catch the Cowboys and Texans on Thursday, Sunday, or Monday Night Football.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL is simulcasting on Fox and NFL Network this fall, and it starts each week at 7:15pm Central.  On October 25 the Dolphins will be at the Texans, and on November 29 the Saints will be at the Cowboys.

NBC has SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL again this season at 7:20pm Central, and the Cowboys will play the second week of the season against the NFC East rival NY Giants.  It's another big one on October 7 when the Cowboys travel to Houston to take on the Texans.  Clear your schedule that day!  And you know it'll be on prime time when the Cowboys take on those Super Bowl champs in Philly.  The Cowboys and Eagles meet on Sunday Night Football on November 11.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL on ESPN will sound a little different this year now that Jon Gruden has decided to leave the announcing booth and move back into coaching with the Oakland Raiders job.  On the field, the Titans are at the Cowboys on Monday November 5th, and that will lead into a short week with the Eagles game the next Sunday night.  Thanksgiving week the Titans will be in Houston to take on the Texans on Monday Night Football, so plan for that November 26.

Whaddya think...Cowboys 12-4 and the Texans 11-5 and they both make the playoffs and meet in the Super Bowl?  Come on, it's a brand new season and it's fun to be blatantly optimistic even if it's a little dumb and unlikely.  Just bring on football.

Click HERE for the full schedules, and get your popcorn ready.

More From Classic Rock Q107