IRVING, Texas --The Colts aren't on the Cowboys' 2012 schedule, but Peyton Manning's next team certainly could be -- assuming the veteran quarterback indeed makes a full recovery from neck surgery and is able to resume his career at age 35.
With Manning expected to be released by Indianapolis on Wednesday, a list of suitors are lining up, all desperate to upgrade their quarterback situation in what has evolved into a passing league.
The Cowboys might have avoided facing Manning in 2012 by playing many of these rumored teams in 2011. They've played the Cardinals three of the last four years but not next season. The Jets and Dolphins were part of the Cowboys' rotating AFC East slate, so they won't face either again in the regular season until 2015.
Two possible landing spots that are on the schedule? The Redskins and Seahawks. If Manning signed with Washington, the Cowboys would face a Manning (Eli or Peyton) and Michael Vick 37 percent of the time in 2012 (6 of 16 games) as part of the NFC East.
Yikes.
So, as a team that must fight to get back over .500 and into the playoffs next season, it'd be nice for Dallas if Peyton Manning didn't wind up on their schedule.
For the record, they are 2-2 all-time against him since 1999, winning the last two in 2006 and 2010.
