Dallas Cowboys Schedule 2012: 8 Games That Will Determine Their Fate

When the National Football League released the 2012 schedule for the Dallas Cowboys, I noticed more than a few games that may give fans butterflies in their stomachs.

The 'Boys start the year off with the Giants, the defending Super Bowl champs, and trudge their way through the NFC East with games against the Eagles and Redskins to follow.

The scariest part of their schedule will not be their chief rivals, but maybe that late season game against an AFC powerhouse.

Here are eight games that may give fans the dirty pants, word to my man Dan Le Batard.

Cowboys vs. Giants, September 5th, NBC

This isn't a make-or-break game for the Cowboys, but it may very well determine how high this team flies for the season. Dallas was swept by the Giants last year, as New York scored 30-plus points on Dallas twice.

Where I believe the test will happen for Dallas is when Eli Manning starts to toss deep balls to test Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne.

My anxiety is with the secondary because they were so easily macerated in 2011.

This game is circled on many a fans calendar because the Giants are so hated. It's also there to serve as a barometer for where the Cowboys are defensively.

Cowboys vs. Seahawks, September 16th, FOX

There are two reasons as to why I believe this game will be tough for Dallas. It's on the road and Seattle has one of the best home crowds in the league.

The second reason is that Dallas may be in danger of dropping to 0-2 on the season. The Seahawks will be no push over and with Marshawn Lynch running the ball and a new starting quarterback in Matt Flynn, possibly, Seattle will be looking to get off to a fast start.

Keep your eyes on this game.

Cowboys vs. Bears, October 1st, ESPN

The Bears will have a healthy Jay Cutler and maybe a healthy Matt Forte. Their defense has always been top notch and their offensive line seems to be decent enough to keep Jay Cutler from eating grass every play.

The Cowboys will not have any easy road ahead of them in 2012, and beating teams like the Bears and Giants early in the year will go a long way for their confidence as a team.

Fans and pundits would also like to see how the Cowboys can handle a couple of tough, early games.

Cowboys vs. Ravens, October 14th, FOX

Good thing for Dallas is that reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs is out with an injury. Also, the Ravens are aging and so is their window of opportunity.

Dallas has "young" legs at some very key positions and with Baltimore's offense pretty much hinging on the energy and toughness of running back Ray Rice, the Cowboys should pull one off.

I believe that Dallas will win this game and it will not be as a hard as it looks on paper. Well, that's depending upon injuries, but the Ravens aren't an overly scary match-up for Dallas.

Cowboys vs. Panthers, October 21st, FOX

Cam Newton was a beast on the field last year and he'll be out to prove that his sophomore year wasn't a fluke. He'll also be out to beat the Cowboys.

Carolina is still a growing team and is still a few years away from competing. But the Panthers may sneak up on you if you let them. Newton has a great arm and good weapons around him.

The Cowboys will have to show that they can beat the teams they are supposed to instead of losing to them. Dallas can beat Carolina, but if they allow Newton and his brood to hang around, Dallas may be staring at a loss that could impact their playoff positioning or entry.

Cowboys vs. Eagles, December 2nd, NBC

I picked the Cowboys' second game against the Eagles because of the possible playoff ramifications with the game falling so late in the season.

Philly will be a desperate team this season because their window to win a Super Bowl may be shut post 2012. Slowing DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy will be key for the Cowboys defense.

Dallas may gain a leg up by beating the Eagles for playoff seeding or a playoff position.

Cowboys vs. Steelers, December 16th, CBS

The Steelers will forever represent the team with one more Super Bowl win than the Cowboys. Pittsburgh has Big Ben, the speedy Mike Wallace and a stout running back in Rashard Mendenhall.

All three are big offensive weapons and can turn a game on a dime for the Steelers. How the Cowboys play them will be dependant upon which offensive philosophy emerges for Pittsburgh.

Regardless of that, this game is dangerously close to the end of the year for the Cowboys, and if they are fighting for playoff position, this may not be the one that Dallas chooses to circle.

Cowboys vs. Saints, December 23rd, FOX

The Saints will not be the same team they were from 2010 or 2011. The bounty scandal has cleared them out and a nasty contract dispute between quarterback Drew Brees and team ownership may cripple them.

Yet the Saints are still good and have a great shot at making some late season noise.

The Cowboys do not have to travel to the Superdome, so home field will work in the Cowboys' favor.

Concerning for me is the secondary, as Drew Brees knows where his receivers will be when he's sleeping.