Sept. 4 (UPI) -- New coach Brian Schottenheimer challenged the Dallas Cowboys to "play free" in the NFL season opener Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are among the biggest betting favorites of Week 1.
Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. EDT at Lincoln Financial Field. The matchup of NFC East division foes will air on NBC. (The full slate of Week 1 NFL matchups is available below.)
"Every game we play is just another championship opportunity," Schottenheimer told reporters. "We get a chance to go out there against the Eagles. You don't get more extra credit for beating the Eagles in Philly in prime time than you do for beating the Giants at noon in AT&T Stadium.
"But what I don't want these guys to do, and I think the coaches are a big part of this, is going in there and try [too] hard. They are going to mistakes if they do that. Play free. It's football. Fly around. Love being around with your brothers. Run to the football. Celebrate. Have fun.
"It's gonna be pretty consistent throughout the deal. We are guaranteed 17 of these. This is the first one of them. I think our guys will play well. But that's going to be my message most weeks."
