Dallas Cowboys: The 6 Scariest Games on the 2011 Schedule

Earlier this year when the NFL released the 2011 schedule for each NFL team, fans and pundits started to speculate on which team had the best chance at making the playoffs or even the Super Bowl.

Will the Lions have an easier path to the playoffs with their schedule this season? Is this finally the year the Ravens carry enough momentum into the playoffs to get over their Steeler-sized hump?

What about the Cowboys? Will their schedule allow room for movement, or will the Cowboys have to play near-perfect football?

Either way, Dallas will need to play well enough to prove to themselves that last year was just a fluke.

Here are six games on the Cowboys' schedule that will keep head coach Jason Garrett up at night.

Cowboys vs. Jets

The very first game of the season for the ‘Boys should be one of their toughest.

Not only will this game test the Cowboys physically and mentally, but it's also a matchup of brothers. Jets head coach Rex Ryan will face his brother Rob, the new Cowboys defensive coordinator.

Brother Rob will have a chance to showcase his new defense against the Jets on national television, as this game will be broadcast prime time on NBC. But it will also showcase the growth of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, the legs of Cowboys running back Felix Jones and the integrity of the Cowboys' offensive line.

This game is scary, but it will also prove to be mighty entertaining.

Cowboys vs. Redskins

Yeah, I know that this is a rivalry matchup, and by the middle of the season the Redskins are usually out of it.

But if you recall, the Cowboys dropped their first game of the season last year, and it was to the Redskins.

Washington’s offense should show improvement this season, and their defense is usually solid. Rob Ryan will probably tailor his defensive approach on the Redskins to whomever Washington has at quarterback.

Either way, Dallas will need to win to show its strength in the always-tough NFC East.

Cowboys vs. Patriots

The last time the ‘Boys played the Pats was in Dallas and the Cowboys had high hopes of making it to the Super Bowl.

Those hopes were deferred as New England came to town and spanked the ‘Boys, 48-27. That was in 2007, and four years later, Dallas will travel to New England in an attempt to return the favor.

This game follows the Cowboys' bye week and should show proof of how far Dallas has progressed from last season. How will their secondary fair against Tom Brady, and will we have a great enough sample size to properly judge the performance of the offensive line?

If the Patriots struggle, this game should still serve as a barometer of the Cowboys' performance at that point in the season.

Cowboys vs. Eagles

Always an entertaining matchup when these two rivals meet up, this game will again test the Cowboys' secondary and their ability to control the tempo of the game.

Philly quarterback Michael Vick will have another year of growth under Andy Reid, and will readily show his arm strength and ability to navigate an NFL offense with his arm and not his leg.

The Cowboys will need to win this matchup, as their second game against the Eagles will come late in the season at a time when playoff spots are still being determined.

Cowboys vs. Giants

Another rivalry game that will be a must-win for Dallas, the Cowboys will need to show strength on the offensive front, as the Giants will surely test their offensive line as they always do.

Quarterback Eli Manning will have his usual weapons in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks, but the Giants will have a key addition on the defensive side of the ball in rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara.

How will Amukamara play against a top-tier quarterback in Tony Romo, and will Tony test him early?

This game will arrive in Week 14, which is usually a crucial point in the season for many teams as they fight for playoff positioning.

Cowboys vs. Buccaneers

The Bucs surprised a lot of teams last year with a 10-6 finish. The growth of Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman was astonishing, and the Bucs' defense was steady enough for them to win 10 games.

Tampa Bay will have a tougher schedule this season, and with this game falling in Week 15, it may prove to be central for both squads.

Fatigue has set in, and a team’s mental potency is usually what carries them the last weeks of the season and into the playoffs.

The Cowboys will either sink or swim at this point, and they have historically struggled late in the season.

What will the record show in 2011?