The Cowboys won't have an easy path if they hope to turn things around in the NFC East this season.
Cowboys 2013 schedule: Late-season gauntlet includes Saints, Packers
If Dallas wants to be considered among the top NFC teams, it will have to prove it late in the year.
Tom Pennington
The Cowboys always seem to play their best football in November and December, and they will need to continue that trend this season.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 8 | vs. New York | 8:30 p.m. | NBC |
| 2 | Sept. 15 | @ Kansas City | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 3 | Sept. 22 | vs. St. Louis | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 4 | Sept. 29 | @ San Diego | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| 5 | Oct. 6 | vs. Denver | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 13 | vs. Washington | 8:30 p.m. | NBC |
| 7 | Oct 20 | @ Philadelphia | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 8 | Oct 27 | @ Detroit | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 9 | Nov. 3 | vs. Minnesota | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 10 | Nov. 10 | @ New Orleans | 8:30 p.m. | NBC |
| 11 | Nov. 17 | BYE | - | - |
| 12 | Nov. 24 | @ New York | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| 13 | Nov. 28 | vs. Oakland | 4:30 p.m. | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 9 | @ Chicago | 8:40 p.m. | ESPN |
| 15 | Dec. 15 | vs. Green Bay | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | @ Washington | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | vs. Philadelphia | 1 p.m. | FOX |
Toughest out: New Orleans Saints
Playing in the Superdome is no easy task. It’s even tougher in primetime. The Cowboys will have to head to New Orleans to take on the Saints in the second half of the season on Sunday Night Football. Many are wondering whether the Cowboys have what it takes to push for a playoff spot. That game should be a decent indicator.
Must win: Week 17 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys always seem to leave it to the last game, don't they? If Dallas is still in contention come season's end, it won't be able to afford a slip-up against Philadelphia. With late-season games against the Bears, Packers and Redskins before the season finale against the Eagles, that Week 17 matchup becomes all the more important.
Don't overlook: Oakland Raiders
Maybe it’s silly to even fathom the idea that the Cowboys could stumble against the Raiders, but Dallas’ game against Oakland comes in the week between the trips to New York and Chicago. Will the Cowboys overlook the Raiders while Dallas is in the middle of a stretch of their most challenging games? Could it be a trap?
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