Arguably the toughest part of the Cowboys schedule is right around the corner with Dallas playing at Philadelphia, at New York, and then come home to face Washington. Three divisional games would be tough enough, but the first two being away games makes it even more difficult.

While it would be great to win all three, I will be happy if we get through this stretch of games with two wins. Philadelphia always plays us tough, especially in Philly, and New York in New York is the toughest game left on our schedule until we hit the playoffs. But Washington at home is looking a little easier after Redskins CB Carlos Rogers was placed on IR following the Patriots game.

We should be able to take Philadelphia because they simply aren’t as good of a team this year. McNabb is still dangerous, though, and Westbrook is one of the best running back in football. But, even if they can manage to do some damage to our getting-healthier-all-the-time defense, I don’t think the Eagles can outscore our offense.

Washington was a team I was worried about because of their secondary, which was arguably the best in the NFL until the Carlos Rogers injury. They still have two great safeties, and Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot are no slouches. But, unless Washington can turn their offense around, they shouldn’t be a major obstacle.

Oh, I skipped New York, huh? Just saving the best for last. We opened the season against New York without Terence Newman and Greg Ellis, and New York was missing Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. With both teams missing some of their top defensive players, it became a shoot out.

The story should be a little different when we meet them in New York. The Giants have one of the most dominating defensive lines in football, so you can bet that they’ll be coming after Romo. And, with a healthy Ellis and a defense that seems to play better each week as they grasp the nuances of the Phillips 3-4, Dallas will put some pressure on Eli.

The key to the game will be Romo’s feet. The teams match up well, each having a good defensive that can pressure the quarterback, solid running backs, and a good passing game. But what the Giants don’t have is a mobile quarterback that can avoid the rush.

But Romo’s feet will have their own battle to contend with: The Giant fans. It will be T-Ro’s big toe against home field advantage in a fight that might decide who’s on top of the NFC East.

It should be interesting, and unless Romo’s partying with Brittany Spears over the weekend has left him too distracted, I’ll have to give the edge to his big toe.