_(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)_
_The Cowboys already_ _have_ _one of the toughest strength of schedules in the NFL. Now a Sunday night game at New York in Week 1 means arriving back in Dallas early Monday morning. Then in Week 3 there is the long trip to Brazil. Are you_ _worried_ _about how the heavy travel at the start the season will also affect the team?_ **–** **Henry Anderson_\*_**,\* **Austin, TX**
**Nick:** As it turns out, I think this question was asked even more the official schedule came out. I think post-Brazil is even tougher than the travel before the game. To me, the one game that stands out the most as a challenge is Tampa Bay. And that's not to say the Bucs are the best team on the slate by any means.
But when you think about having a 10-hour flight after the Ravens game in Rio - and then it's a normal week with a Sunday game in Houston, that's tough enough right there. But when you get back from Houston that night... forget that it's only 7:30 or so and still daylight. But it's really a Wednesday, so to speak. The fact the NFL scheduled the Bucs game for that Thursday night, giving the Cowboys three games in 11 days with two road games, including one to a different continent - is downright brutal.
So yes, I think it was affect the team and their legs. And on top of the travel, you're facing some good teams. Baltimore was a missed FG away from making the playoffs and if their quarterback is healthy, that's a better team in 2025. Houston has the best defense in the league and the Bucs are probably similar to the Cowboys in talent and last year's turnout.
Three tough games with three tougher travel conditions around it.