IRVING, Texas – Four of the next five Cowboys games are on the road against teams with a combined record of 13-7, including three squads with an overall mark of 12-3.
But the Cowboys aren't as focused on the talent of their opponents as they are on addressing their own team as they prepare to travel to Baltimore.
"We've got to go up there and handle our business," said defensive tackle Marcus Spears. "It's not about them. It's about us."
Spears said the Ravens play the same physical style they have for years, complete with hefty linemen, playmakers on the outside and a versatile running back in Ray Rice.
He said it's hard enough to beat the Ravens at home, let alone the road. But if the Cowboys accomplish what's in their game plan this week and in the next few weeks, they won't have to worry about the atmosphere at Baltimore, or the surroundings in Carolina, Atlanta and Philadelphia in the upcoming four weeks.
"You can't really think that far out," Spears said. "I think it becomes a distraction when you start thinking about how well you're doing on the road or what you've got in front of you after this game."
Depending on how the next few games pan out, that Philadelphia matchup could be a determining factor in which team wins the NFC East. The Eagles currently lead the division with a 3-2 record, but cornerback Brandon Carr doesn't care about their record.
"I don't know anybody's record in the division except for ours," Carr said. "I'm just focused on what's going on in this locker room, what's going on in this organization. At the end of the day, I'm a Dallas Cowboy, and that's all that matters to me right now."
Whether this year's Cowboys are a 6-10 team or a 10-6 team remains to be seen. A win this week against a 4-1 Ravens squad that hasn't lost at home since Week 13 in 2010 could help determine if the opener against New York or the home loss to Chicago is more reflective of what the Cowboys can offer.
"We have our work cut out for us this week," Carr said. "We had a week to recoup, refresh, regroup. Guys were back out Monday getting after it on the field, looking forward to this weekend. Should be a big one for us.
