October 5th and November 2nd will decide the 2014 Dallas Cowboys season

I've analysed the 2014 Dallas schedule and our chances of making the playoffs are the same as they have been the past 2 seasons. Leading to a playoff do die match-up with Washington on December 28. I haven't written down my game by game analyst just yet but I have done it in my head. More than likely I won't promise to post my game by game prediction as I didn't post it last year. I have however figured out that the only way we do get to a showdown in Washington is if we win 2 key dates. October 5th and November 2nd. Match-ups with two teams that are vital to our season. Houston and Arizona. Looking at the Cowboys 2014 schedule it seems pretty clear (Facing the NFC West and AFC Central) what games we have a good shot at winning. Plus the games that we have no chance in hell at. But this is the NFL anything can happen. The anything factor is the one reason why we, in the words of former NY Jets coach Herm Edwards. "You play to win the game".

Now to Houston and Arizona. I'm a big fan of recent records against teams. That's why when I see Chicago and New Orleans on our schedule each and every year. I mark them down as a lost. I am not usually disappointed except for in 2009. When DeMarcus Ware showed Drew Brees what was up. Other than that those two teams own us. But I was talking about Houston and Arizona. These two teams are building similar trends against us but in different directions. Dallas has beat Houston the last two times that we have played each other in the regular season. Both games were split between being hosted in Dallas and Houston so location has made a difference. Dallas has only played Houston 3 times as Houston has only been in the league for 12 years.

Arizona carries a different story. In the 90's, Arizona was known as Dallas West, as the Cowboys only lost to the Cardinals 4 times in the entire decade. This was a decade when Dallas and Arizona (Phoenix) were in the same division and played each other twice a year. The past few years have told a different story. Arizona has gotta a lot better and Jason Garrett' clock management gave the cards the last game against the Cowboys.

Arizona have also took the 2 games before that from Dallas. All of these games were in Arizona for some odd reason. As a matter of fact the last 4 times Dallas has played Arizona it has been in there stadium. Dallas is a dumbfounding 1 and 4 in those matches. This year however could tell a different story. Arizona hosts the Super Bowl and there is a Super Bowl host jinx. How else do you explain the Giants 2013 season, the bounty gate (punishment year) in New Orleans, Peyton's injury season and our person implosion under Wade Phillips in his last year. With many people picking the Cardinals to make a play for the division, I hope this jinx shows through. Even if for one day on the 2nd day of November. So we can get a win to give us an opportunity to play for a playoff berth n December 28th.