Dallas Cowboys Schedule 2011: Breaking Down the Games from September to January

It's here, America! The NFL schedule for 2011 was finally released today. Hopefully for everyone's sake, a season will be played in 2011. But until the CBA situation gets resolved, let's have some fun and analyze the Cowboys schedule.

This year, aside from playing the NFC East six times like every year, the Cowboys face the brutal AFC East but get a break by playing against the inexperienced NFC West, which sent a 7-9 team to the postseason last year.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy! Here we go!

Week 1: @ New York Jets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets runs dow field during their 19 to 24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ronald Mar

The Dallas Cowboys will open up the 2011 NFL season in a familiar venue but they'll be playing against an unfamiliar team. Usually when the Cowboys go to the Meadowlands, it's to play the New York Giants. This time, for the first time in four years, they will be playing the New York Jets.

The last time the Cowboys played the Jets, they routed the team from New York on Thanksgiving Day. Tony Romo threw for two touchdowns and had a 75 percent completion rate. Terence Newman also had a 50-yard interception return touchdown. At the time, the Cowboys were 10-1 and the Jets were nowhere as near as good as they are today.

Mark Sanchez will make his first career start against the Cowboys. The former Trojan has had a stellar start to his career. He enters his third season with four road playoff wins against elite teams such as Indianapolis and New England. The more he plays, the more he blossoms.

This is definitely a tough way to begin the season for the Cowboys in primetime against an elite team. The Jets are star-studded on defense. There is a reason why they have made the AFC Championship in consecutive seasons. The Cowboys will have their hands full in a hostile environment.

They do get a break, though. This game against the Jets is not during the dead of winter. The Jets defense combined with cold weather is impossible to penetrate. But even with that thrown aside, Tony Romo makes his return from an injury against a tough team that will put pressure on him and try to make him uncomfortable.

This game will undoubtedly get everybody's juices flowing and is a great way to begin the season.

Week 2: @ San Francisco

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a 38 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 201

Following a highly emotional game at New Jersey, the Cowboys travel all the way across the country to take on the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have a talented young coach in Jim Harbaugh.

Who knows who will start for quarterback for them come September? Last year the team had troubles from that position. One thing is for sure, the quarterback won't be Alex or Troy Smith. Both have struggled immensely and the 49ers are looking at either free agency or the draft to bring in a new quarterback to lead their team.

That being said, they have a talented wide receiver in Michael Crabtree who will try to pick apart the Cowboys secondary.

These two teams were once huge rivals but the luster from the rivalry has eroded over the years because of numerous poor seasons by the 49ers.

Week 3: Washington (Monday Night Football)

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins makes a touchdown pass reception against Alan Ball #20 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

Last season, the Cowboys blew a lead in their lone Monday night tilt, versus the New York Giants. They look to change that this year against their other fierce rival Washington.

The Cowboys split the season series against the Redskins last season. They lost to them 13-7 on opening night in a game that set the tone for their dismal season. The Cowboys had a last-second game-winning touchdown negated because of a holding penalty by Alex Barron. After this loss, the Cowboys tumbled to 1-7 and ended up firing head coach Wade Phillips.

Romo and the Cowboys remember this. They will have their home crowd on their side in a huge Monday night affair against their greatest rival. They want revenge for what happened that Sunday night in September.

The Redskins, on the other hand, will probably part ways with Donovan McNabb and rebuild. Many expect them to struggle this year because of their question marks at quarterback, but they'll be looking at this game against Dallas as a way to get a win and build momentum and make an unexpected run to the playoffs.

Week 4: Detroit

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CLEVELAND - AUGUST 22: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws to a reciever against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter of their NFL game in Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 22, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Gett

Any Cowboys fan who looks at this game on the schedule will automatically put down a win for their team against the lowly Lions. However, the Cowboys can't take this game for granted.

The Lions have a very good young quarterback in Matthew Stafford. After an injury-riddled season, he will definitely be looking to bounce back against the Cowboys.

Also, Ndamakung Suh will be bringing the heat on Tony Romo.

This game could be a trap for the Cowboys. They better not be looking forward to their bye week during this game or else they will easily fall to the Lions. However, if they can just focus and play fundamental football they will be able to win this game with ease.

Week 6: @ New England

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

The Cowboys head to New England for the first time since when Bill Parcells was head coach in 2003. The Boys in Blue played the Patriots twice in their decade of dominance and lost both times against Belichick's bunch.

This is by far the game of the year on the Cowboys schedule. Thankfully, they enter the game after their bye week. They will have an extra week of film study and they will need it.

Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback in the game today. The MVP will easily have his way with Dallas' weak secondary if they don't prepare against him well enough. The extra week should help, though.

This is also a huge game for Tony Romo. This is a road game in a hostile environment against a very good team. A win here for Romo and the Cowboys will show the rest of the league that they are here to play big boy football. It will put their dismal 2010 season behind them for good and they will gain respect from their competition.

Jason Garrett hopefully gets the memo: Outsmarting a genius is very, very difficult!

Week 7: St. Louis

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 19-6. (Photo b

Just like the game against Detroit, it can be very easy to overlook the Rams, especially after a big game against the Patriots the week before.

The Cowboys should be very careful, though. The Rams have one of the best young quarterbacks in the game in Sam Bradford. They could, however, pick apart the Rams with their own weapons. They just need to stay focused and execute. If they do that, the game is theirs for the taking.

Tony Romo also has a good memory. He remembers the 34-14 loss he suffered at St. Louis in 2008. Although a lot has changed since then, he'll be looking to erase that from his memory banks with a great performance at home.

Week 8: @ Philadelphia

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with team mate Mike McGlynn #77 after throwing his teams first touchdown against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo b

This will be the first of two matchups against the hated Eagles. On the night before Halloween, the Cowboys will play their second Sunday night game on NBC.

Last season, Tony Romo did not play the Eagles in either matchup because of injury. In the first game at Dallas, the Eagles won a close game. The Cowboys, however, took the second game in a meaningless Week 17 matchup where both teams had nothing to play for.

There will be a lot to play for in this Week 8 matchup. Both teams are expected to make a push for the NFC East title and this game will most likely tell everyone who the team to reckon with will be in the East.

Week 9: Seattle

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks runs for a 67-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, W

Yet another game for the Cowboys which they can easily overlook following an emotional one. But the Cowboys should learn a lesson from the New Orleans Saints. The Saints thought they would steamroll through the Seahawks in the playoffs because of Seattle's 7-9 record, but we all saw what happened.

Tony Romo can always reach back to his past for motivation against Seattle. It was the Seahawks who beat him in that cold January night in Seattle back in 2006 in the infamous botched-snap game.

But since then, a lot has changed. The Seahawks, despite making the playoffs, are not a powerhouse like they once were, and Romo has evolved into a top-10 quarterback.

Can Marshawn Lynch pull off another earth-shaking run against the Cowboys like he did in the playoffs? Or will the Cowboys continue to have their way with the Seahawks like they did in the 2008 Thanksgiving showdown when the Cowboys won 34-9?

Week 10: Buffalo

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Can this be Cam Newton's first ever game against the Dallas Cowboys? If so, this should be an exciting game to watch.

If not, then it should probably be a snoozer that the Cowboys should easily win.

The Super Bowl rivals from the '90s have gone in different directions ever since those times. The Cowboys won three Super Bowls. The Bills find it difficult to win a game and have heard rumors of relocation throughout the past several years.

Drafting Cam Newton could change the fortunes of the Bills and at least turn them into an exciting watch.

The Cowboys and Bills most recently met in an unforgettable Monday Night Football game in 2007 where Tony Romo threw six interceptions yet the Cowboys found a way to win late in the game with a field goal from Nick Folk.

Week 11: @ Washington

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball after a catch during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (P

In the third consecutive game where the Cowboys should win, they travel to the nation's capital to take on hated rival Washington. At this point of the season, the Redskins could be well out of the playoff picture, so as always, the Cowboys should focus and take the game seriously in order to pick up the win.

Playing on the road against a rival is a challenge no matter what their record is. The Redskins, if out of the playoff picture, will view this game as their Super Bowl and bring everything, including the kitchen sink, against the Cowboys.

Week 12: Miami

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Chad Henne #7 of the Miami Dolphins is preasured by Lawrence Jackson #94 of the Detroit Lions at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Thanksgiving tradition continues in Dallas. This time they will play the Miami Dolphins.

Last year on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys lost a heart-breaker against the New Orleans Saints. A late fumble by Roy Williams after a huge catch-and-run cost the Cowboys the game.

This year the invigorated Cowboys hope to bring holiday cheer to their fans on Turkey Day with a big win against another AFC East opponent.

The Dolphins have put up solid seasons recently despite not making the playoffs last year. It's just very difficult competing against the Patriots and Jets in that division. Otherwise, they are a formidable opponent and this should make for a delightful Thanksgiving showdown.

The two teams squared off on Thanksgiving eight years ago. The Dolphins stomped all over the Cowboys 40-21 in that game. Hopefully for the Cowboys, there will be a more favorable result this time around!

Week 13: @ Arizona

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a touchdown against the San Francisco 49er during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

University of Phoenix Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Cowboys in recent years.

Last season, in a barnburner of a game, Cowboys kicker Nick Buehler missed an extra point after what seemed to be a game-tying touchdown. The Cowboys capped off a disappointing season with an ugly loss.

In 2008, after tying the game and sending it into overtime on a field goal by Nick Folk, punter Mat McBriar had his kick blocked in overtime. The ball was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Arizona and the Cowboys headed home with their heads hanging down.

This year, the Cardinals are expected to be a mess with uncertainty at quarterback. The Cowboys will definitely look to take advantage of this and gain some revenge for what has happened in recent years in that building.

Week 14: New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants walks off the field dejected after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 38-31 on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/

In their third Sunday Night Football game, the Cowboys play host to the New York Giants for the first time in 2011. In fact, this will be the first of two games against the G-Men in the last four weeks of the season.

Jason Garrett won his first career game as head coach against the Giants last year in a 33-20 victory where Jon Kitna threw three touchdowns. However, the Giants took the meeting at Cowboys Stadium last season on a crushing Monday night loss for Dallas.

In fact, that was the game in which Tony Romo was injured. In his first meeting against the Giants, Romo will try to make the Giants pay for that hit last season. Meanwhile, the Giants pass rush will continue to try to make Romo feel uncomfortable.

Week 15: @ Tampa Bay

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is pushed out of bounds by Alex Brown #96 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated th

Generally in late December, Dallas road games are in cold cities like Philadelphia and New York. In these games the weather can get very uncomfortable and cause a difference in the game. However, this year the Cowboys travel to beautiful Tampa Bay, where it will probably be 65 degrees and sunny.

The Bucs have a very good young quarterback in Josh Freeman, who is developing into a reliable force in the NFL. Because of him, the Bucs may be vying for the NFC South title or at least a Wild Card spot late in the season.

For this reason, this game between the Bucs and the Cowboys will be a heated affair with two teams looking for a win to qualify in the playoffs.

Tony Romo has had success against the Buccaneers. In 2007, he shredded them apart with a five-touchdown performance. In 2009, on opening day, the Cowboys also picked up a victory at Tampa Bay.

But a lot has changed since then with Freeman at quarterback now for Tampa Bay.

Week 16: Christmas Eve vs Philadelphia

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris

In 2008, the Eagles and Cowboys met in Week 17 to decide who would get the final Wild Card spot. The Eagles destroyed the Cowboys and it wasn't even close.

The year after, the two teams met again in Week 17 to decide who would earn the NFC East title. This time the Cowboys ran all over the Eagles to clinch the division.

It seems like every year these two teams meet in the last week of the season. This time they'll face off on Christmas Eve in Week 16. This game will undoubtedly have playoff implications just like in 2008 and 2009. Hopefully the Cowboys will have racked up enough wins so that it isn't, but in the challenging NFC East, everyone knows that this game will be a barnburner.

Week 17: @ New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in action against the Washington Redskins during their game on December 5, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Cowboys will ring in the 2012 new year at the same venue where they started the 2011 season.

This time they'll be playing their divisional rival New York Giants in a game that will most likely have playoff implications. The Meadowlands will be a frozen tundra come New Year's Day and this could be a problem for Tony Romo, who has struggled in cold weather. The Cowboys will rely on their running game to punch their ticket to the postseason against the hated Giants.

But hopefully wins against San Francisco, Washington, Detroit, Seattle, Arizona and Buffalo will be enough padding for the Cowboys to make this a tuneup for the playoffs rather than a win-to-get-in.