Cowboys still a draw
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The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a season without a playoff berth and entering one without star receiver Terrell Owens, but based on the 2009 NFL schedules released last night, they remain America's Team.
The Cowboys lead all teams with six scheduled nationally televised games, opening their new $1.1 billion stadium in a nationally televised Sunday night game against the New York Giants Sept. 20.
Reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh meets division rival Baltimore twice in five weeks late in the season after they faced off in the 2008 AFC title game. They play Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.
The NFL had already announced the opening weekend's prime-time games. The Steelers begin their title defense Sept. 10 against the Titans, who had the league's best record in 2008 and beat the Steelers, 31-14, in the 15th game of the season. The first Monday night game features the Patriots against the Bills, in Owens's debut.
The Bears, with new quarterback Jay Cutler, are among the teams with five nationally televised games. Cutler was traded from the Broncos to Chicago after he squabbled with new Denver coach Josh McDaniels.
The New York Giants, playing their final season at Giants Stadium, get five prime-time games, including a Thanksgiving night contest in Denver against the Broncos. The defending NFC East champions also will have their first three-game road trip in 15 years.
