The 5 Toughest Games On The Cowboys Predicted 2014 NFL Schedule
The NFL will release the Dallas Cowboys schedule for the 2014 regular season on Wednesday night. Fortunately, we already know who their opponents will be for the most part. We just don’t know yet when those games will be played. Still, there are five anticipated match-ups I’ve already targeted as the toughest for Dallas this upcoming season.
And those hard matchups were relatively easy to find as Dallas will go up against the best division in football, the NFC West, in 2014. That division includes the St. Louis Rams (7-9), the Arizona Cardinals (10-6), the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) and the World Champion Seattle Seahawks (13-3).
Let’s get started…
5. Vs. the Indianapolis Colts
Led by third-year quarterback Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts have quickly rebounded from the loss of future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning to become a perennial playoff team once again.
Indianapolis ended the 2013 season going 11-5, making the playoffs in what is probably the worst division in football, the AFC South. But they proved themselves by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason, ultimately losing to the more experienced New England Patriots.
The Colts are a tough team constantly getting younger and better. Dallas should have home field advantage, but this talented group, led by head coach Chuck Pagano and with All-Pro receiver Reggie Wayne back from injury, should not be underestimated.
4. Vs. the New Orleans Saints
Last season, the Cowboys were absolutely destroyed on the road against the Saints in a 49-17 blowout in Week Ten. Former Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan got his revenge by limiting the Cowboys offense to 193 total yards. The 32-point deficit represented the biggest loss for Dallas in 2013.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for 392 yards and four touchdowns, completing an amazing 34 of his 42 passes. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo‘s stats on the day paled in comparison. Romo went 10 for 24, throwing for a poultry 128 yards and a single score.
The Saints dominated on the ground as well. Running back Mark Ingram had a career day against Dallas rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown. It was his only 100+ yard rushing game of the season, and the first in his underwhelming three year career. His running mate, Pierre Thomas, threw in 87 rushing yards and two scores of his own.
The Cowboys lone bright spot was running back DeMarco Murray. He finished the game rushing for 89 yards and scoring one of Dallas’ two touchdowns.
New Orleans ended last season with an 11-5 record, beating the surging Philadelphia Eagles in a Wild Card playoff match up, and then losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.
In 2014, it appears the Saints will make the trip to Dallas to play at AT&T Stadium, where the Cowboys were 5-3 last season. If fans are wondering if the Dallas defense has improved any from last year, this fiery game will be the best barometer.
3. Vs. the San Francisco 49ers
The last time the 49ers and Cowboys meet was in Week Two of the 2011 season in The City by the Bay. Many fans will remember this overtime thriller due to the gutsy performance of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. Battling a cracked rib and a punctured lung, Romo led the Cowboys comeback which culminated in a 77 yard pass to unknown Dallas receiver Jesse Holley in a hard-fought 27-24 victory.
But this is a very different San Francisco team. Since that game, the 49ers have switched their starting quarterbacks and made two deep runs into the playoffs resulting in a Super Bowl appearance in 2013. Despite playing in Arlington this go around, this San Francisco club led by head coach Jim Harbaugh was 6-2 on the road last season. They will be a tough team to beat in 2014.
2. @ the Seattle Seahawks
Many a Cowboys fan will have a hard time forgetting when these two teams last meet. It was a game I believe many of us had already checked off as an easy win. Instead, it marked the beginning of a defensive dynasty…and not in our favor.
It was Week Two of the regular season back in 2012. Playing against that rumbustious crowd in CenturyLink Field, the Cowboys got humbled and then tuned up the the Seahawks smothering defense. And that tone was set at the very beginning of the game when former Cowboy Felix Jones fumbled the opening kickoff. Less than four minutes, Cowboys punter Chris Jones had his punt blocked and ran in for a Seattle touchdown. It was downhill from there as Dallas lost 27-7.
Since that game, Seattle has won a Super Bowl title. Now, Dallas will be asked to go back into the Emerald City as the Seahawks defend their crown. A tough assignment for sure. But in the words of the eternal Ric Flair: “To be the man, you gotta beat the man…Wooo!”
1. The Last Game of the Season
If history repeats itself, this team should be the New York Giants. Regardless of who the team is, this game represents a major mental stumbling block for the Cowboys. They have finished the last three seasons at 8-8, with a chance in each for a postseason appearance with a win in their final regular season game. They have lost in all three attempts.
Based on what we know about their upcoming schedule, there is a good chance Dallas’ playoff chances could once again come down to the final game of the year. If that is the case, this last game will be the Cowboys toughest of the season. They have basically beaten themselves the last three years straight. And I think beating this building mental obstacle is the key to the Cowboys future success.
And those hard matchups were relatively easy to find as Dallas will go up against the best division in football, the NFC West, in 2014. That division includes the St. Louis Rams (7-9), the Arizona Cardinals (10-6), the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) and the World Champion Seattle Seahawks (13-3).
Let’s get started…
5. Vs. the Indianapolis Colts
Led by third-year quarterback Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts have quickly rebounded from the loss of future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning to become a perennial playoff team once again.
Indianapolis ended the 2013 season going 11-5, making the playoffs in what is probably the worst division in football, the AFC South. But they proved themselves by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason, ultimately losing to the more experienced New England Patriots.
The Colts are a tough team constantly getting younger and better. Dallas should have home field advantage, but this talented group, led by head coach Chuck Pagano and with All-Pro receiver Reggie Wayne back from injury, should not be underestimated.
4. Vs. the New Orleans Saints
Last season, the Cowboys were absolutely destroyed on the road against the Saints in a 49-17 blowout in Week Ten. Former Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan got his revenge by limiting the Cowboys offense to 193 total yards. The 32-point deficit represented the biggest loss for Dallas in 2013.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for 392 yards and four touchdowns, completing an amazing 34 of his 42 passes. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo‘s stats on the day paled in comparison. Romo went 10 for 24, throwing for a poultry 128 yards and a single score.
The Saints dominated on the ground as well. Running back Mark Ingram had a career day against Dallas rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown. It was his only 100+ yard rushing game of the season, and the first in his underwhelming three year career. His running mate, Pierre Thomas, threw in 87 rushing yards and two scores of his own.
The Cowboys lone bright spot was running back DeMarco Murray. He finished the game rushing for 89 yards and scoring one of Dallas’ two touchdowns.
New Orleans ended last season with an 11-5 record, beating the surging Philadelphia Eagles in a Wild Card playoff match up, and then losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.
In 2014, it appears the Saints will make the trip to Dallas to play at AT&T Stadium, where the Cowboys were 5-3 last season. If fans are wondering if the Dallas defense has improved any from last year, this fiery game will be the best barometer.
3. Vs. the San Francisco 49ers
The last time the 49ers and Cowboys meet was in Week Two of the 2011 season in The City by the Bay. Many fans will remember this overtime thriller due to the gutsy performance of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. Battling a cracked rib and a punctured lung, Romo led the Cowboys comeback which culminated in a 77 yard pass to unknown Dallas receiver Jesse Holley in a hard-fought 27-24 victory.
But this is a very different San Francisco team. Since that game, the 49ers have switched their starting quarterbacks and made two deep runs into the playoffs resulting in a Super Bowl appearance in 2013. Despite playing in Arlington this go around, this San Francisco club led by head coach Jim Harbaugh was 6-2 on the road last season. They will be a tough team to beat in 2014.
2. @ the Seattle Seahawks
Many a Cowboys fan will have a hard time forgetting when these two teams last meet. It was a game I believe many of us had already checked off as an easy win. Instead, it marked the beginning of a defensive dynasty…and not in our favor.
It was Week Two of the regular season back in 2012. Playing against that rumbustious crowd in CenturyLink Field, the Cowboys got humbled and then tuned up the the Seahawks smothering defense. And that tone was set at the very beginning of the game when former Cowboy Felix Jones fumbled the opening kickoff. Less than four minutes, Cowboys punter Chris Jones had his punt blocked and ran in for a Seattle touchdown. It was downhill from there as Dallas lost 27-7.
Since that game, Seattle has won a Super Bowl title. Now, Dallas will be asked to go back into the Emerald City as the Seahawks defend their crown. A tough assignment for sure. But in the words of the eternal Ric Flair: “To be the man, you gotta beat the man…Wooo!”
1. The Last Game of the Season
If history repeats itself, this team should be the New York Giants. Regardless of who the team is, this game represents a major mental stumbling block for the Cowboys. They have finished the last three seasons at 8-8, with a chance in each for a postseason appearance with a win in their final regular season game. They have lost in all three attempts.
Based on what we know about their upcoming schedule, there is a good chance Dallas’ playoff chances could once again come down to the final game of the year. If that is the case, this last game will be the Cowboys toughest of the season. They have basically beaten themselves the last three years straight. And I think beating this building mental obstacle is the key to the Cowboys future success.
The 5 Toughest Games On The Cowboys Predicted 2014 NFL Schedule
![The 5 Toughest Games On The Cowboys Predicted 2014 NFL Schedule]()
Reviewed by Mr. DCStands4
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