Cowboys' schedule soft around Thanksgiving

April, 17, 2012
4/17/12
6:30
PM CT
The closest thing to a soft stretch in the Dallas Cowboys' schedule comes right after they finish their third set of back-to-back road trips over the first nine games.

After that, the Cowboys get three consecutive home games against teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season.

They better beat the Browns, a team that went 4-12 last season and sorely lacks offensive weapons. Whether it’s Colt McCoy or rookie Ryan Tannehill under center, the Dallas defense should be able to rattle an inexperienced quarterback.

They’ll see another rookie four days later, assuming that Robert Griffin III is healthy when the Redskins come to Cowboys Stadium for Thanksgiving. As talented as Griffin is, he’ll be a rookie with no potent playmakers around him. That’s another must-win at home.

That’s followed by a home game against Philadelphia, which was arguably the most disappointing team in the NFL last season. The Eagles have plenty of weapons, but who knows if injury-prone Michael Vick will be healthy this deep into the season. Whether or not they face Vick, the Cowboys need this game if they plan to make the playoffs.

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