Dallas Cowboys non-divisional games to watch

The Dallas Cowboys have a tough schedule this year thanks to their 2014 first place finish in the NFC East. Not only will they playing their usual divisional foes twice per usual, but Dallas will also have to deal with a few of the other elite teams in the NFL.

The divisional games against New York, Philadelphia and Washington are going to be important and tough for obvious reasons. But, as Dallas has learned in the past, the non-divisional games could end up being the difference in being on the fringe of a playoff spot or having a comfortable lead for one.

The Cowboys start the season with two divisional games against the Giants at home, and then at the Eagles in week two. Week three will see the Falcons come to Arlington, and the Cowboys will travel to New Orleans for a meeting with the Saints in week four.

The first non-divisional game that really catches my eye, is week five when the defending champion New England Patriots come to town. Tom Brady probably won’t be playing because of his deflate game suspension, meaning it’ll likely be second year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under center for the Pats.

Even without Brady, let’s not act like a Bill Belichick coached Pats team is going to be an easy win. But, there’s no doubting New England will be weaker without their face of the franchise playing, and with Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain returning from suspension, that’s a game the Cowboys need to win at home.

A couple of weeks later, the Cowboys have another tough challenge at home when the Seahawks come to town on Nov. 1. Dallas upset Seattle last season on the road, and the Seahawks will surely be looking to return the favor in JerryWorld. Believe it or not, this Seahawks team is probably going to be better than usual, especially with Jimmy Graham adding another dimension to their offense.

If that is indeed a loss, it makes winning two back-to-back games against the Buccaneers and Dolphins later in November even more important. The Dolphins are an improved team, but it’s still a game Dallas should win. The Bucs will be led by rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, and are still far from being a decent team. Those kinds of games are the ones Dallas can’t afford to lose.

On Dec. 13, Dallas has to return to Lambeau Field to play the Packers, in a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional round game. You know, the one where Dez caught the ball.

The Packers are going to be an NFC contender as usual, and going to Lambeau in December is at tough as it gets. I’m sure Dallas will come in seeking revenge after last year’s heartbreaking playoff loss. The good thing is that Dallas plays the Jets a few days later, a team that Dallas should beat. The Jets should have a good defense, but their offense is still a big work in progress. Regardless of what happens against Green Bay, Dallas has to beat the Jets at home.