The schedule for the Dallas Cowboys in 2019 has officially taken shape.

Entering their inconsequential Week 17 battle with the New York Giants, and having already clinched the NFC East with a 27-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there weren't many remaining slots to be fleshed out with the Cowboys' slate of games next season. While they ready themselves to hopefully end 2018 on the highest possible note after escaping a 3-5 start, we can peek around the corner and get a glimpse at who they'll face -- outside of the usual suspects.

First, a quick refresher on how the NFL chooses what teams will square off each season:

Six games against divisional opponents — two games per team, one at home and one on the road. Four games against teams from a division within its conference — two games at home and two on the road. Four games against teams from a division in the other conference— two games at home and two on the road. Two games against teams from the two remaining divisions in its own conference — one game at home and one on the road. Matchups are based on division ranking from the previous season.

Because they won the NFC East, the Cowboys will face a tougher slate that includes division winners from the remainder of the conference. With everything now settled in those slots and others based on the NFL's schedule algorithm that remains unchanged for now, let's have a gander and look back at the history of each matchup to get an idea of what the future might hold.

Join me, will you?