Dallas Cowboys 2012 Schedule: Road Tests Cowboys Must Pass to Make Playoffs

The Dallas Cowboys have only made one playoff appearance over the past four seasons despite rosters with enough talent to make the postseason. It's no mistake the only year during that span they did earn a berth was the season they were above .500 on the road.

While everybody knows road games against the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles will be crucial, let's take a look at some other tricky tests the Cowboys face next season that will have a major impact on their playoff hopes.

For a complete look at the team's 2012 schedule, click here.

Week 2 at Seattle Seahawks

After opening on the road against the Giants, Dallas heads out to Seattle in Week 2 to take on a Seahawks team that underperformed last season. They have a very strong defense and the addition of quarterback Matt Flynn will provide a nice boost on offense.

Starting the season with two road games is never easy, but traveling to each coast makes it even tougher. Regardless of the Week 1 result, the Cowboys will need to bare down and take care of business against the Seahawks to put themselves on the right track.

Flynn doesn't have much experience as a starter, so the Cowboys need DeMarcus Ware to wreak havoc in order to pick up the victory.

Week 7 at Carolina Panthers

Facing Cam Newton can't be fun for a playoff contender. His lack of supporting cast members means the Panthers are still a couple seasons away from being a legitimate threat, but he has the potential to steal any given game by himself.

The Cowboys defense was prone to mental mistakes last season, especially near season's end when they let a playoff berth slip away. If they have any of the same problems against the Panthers, Newton will take full advantage and make them pay.

Dallas has more depth and should be able to pick up another road win, but the Cowboys can't be looking ahead to their second battle with the Giants in Week 8 or they'll get burned.

Week 17 at Washington Redskins

Even though the draft is still a week away, it would be a major surprise if the Redskins don't end up with Robert Griffin III. The Heisman-winning quarterback should have no problem making the transition to the next level and will be firmly entrenched by Week 17.

This game has a good chance to end up deciding whether or not Dallas making the playoffs, so taking on a talented young QB with nothing to lose has danger written all over it. The amount of pressure on the Cowboys would be enormous if that's indeed the case.

Once again, it's a game the Cowboys have no business losing based purely on talent level, but crazier things have happened. There would be no shortage of intrigue, that's for sure.