Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant had a preseason dream last year that he made every reporter keep secret.
He envisioned the Cowboys and Oakland Raiders meeting in the Super Bowl. He brought it up every few weeks as the Cowboys won 11 consecutive games en route to a 13-3 finish.
It ultimately didn't happen as the Cowboys lost in the divisional playoffs and the Raiders saw their impressive season go up in smoke because of an injury to quarterback Derek Carr.
Well, how about this year?
The Cowboys are again favorites to win the NFC East, depending on how they fair without suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott for the first six games.
The Raiders, thanks to the return of Carr and the addition of running back Marshawn Lynch, are considered the team most likely to unseat the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the AFC.
Think of all that when the Cowboys host the Raiders Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in the dress rehearsal game for the both teams.
It is the only preseason game that will most likely resemble a regular-season contest. The starters might play the entire first half.
And speaking of the regular season?
The teams meet Dec. 17 in Oakland with playoff implications on the line and Elliott back from suspension.
So this is a regular-season and possible Super Bowl preview at AT&T Stadium.
Here are five things to watch:
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