In the NFL and a lot of sports they generally put an emphasis on "the next game" and try not to look ahead on the schedule.

While this is a good policy in regards to not overlooking an opponent it can be unadvisable from an overall strategic viewpoint at times.

This week's Cowboys game is a prime example.

They play Jacksonville who sucks. We should be able to beat Jacksonville with a third-string quarterback.

After Jacksonville there is a bye week and we don't play the Giants until Nov. 23rd.

The obvious long-term strategy is to NOT play Tony Romo vs. the Jaguars and let him get optimum rest and rehabilitation time before the Giants game. Hell, you might even go as far as to sit him THAT game as well and let him make his comeback against the Eagles on the 27th, a game that is shaping up to be a key matchup. Whoever wins that game will probably win the division.

So the bottom line is that while it's important to concentrate on the task at hand you always need to factor in the future to ensure that decisions you make NOW will have a positive impact down the road.