2007 Record: 13-3
Dallas had another fantastic regular season that was followed by post-season disappointment. In all honesty, it’s enjoyable to see the Cowboys struggle in the post-season. This team is a textbook case of potential for a breakdown. Tony Romo, who was brilliant in some games and horrid in others (see 5 interceptions against Buffalo). However, he was only out-passed in 4 games last season. One of those three was the season finale against Washington where he didn’t play the whole game. Two of the three came in wins over Miami and Washington and the other game was against a man named Brady.
Besides New England, Dallas might have the best all-around receiving corps in the league with Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton and All-Pro tight end Jason Witten. The ‘boys get Terry Glenn back from injury this year, adding depth to their receiving unit. The team lost running back Julius Jones to Seattle, but kept workhorse Marion Barber and drafted speedster Felix Jones out of Arkansas. Expect this team to put up big numbers on offense again this season.
On Defense, the team needed to get help in the secondary. So they went out and signed Adam “The Artist Formerly Known as Pac-man” Jones and drafted Mike Jenkins (CB-South Florida). Drafting Jenkins was an excellent choice. Signing Jones, well…that remains to be seen.
Coach Wade Phillips isn’t exactly the most animated person in the world, and his locker room, with Owens, Jones and former Bears D-lineman Tank Johnson will have more ego than Freud’s bedroom. If this team starts struggling, the tempers may erupt and this team might go down in flames. They have a fairly easy schedule so this shouldn’t be an issue. The only “difficult” portion of the schedule comes as the calendar turns to December with games against Seattle, Pittsburgh and the Giants. However, only the Pittsburgh game is on the road, giving the Cowboys an advantage heading into “choke in the playoffs again” season.
If this team starts to slide, Wade Phillips is going to have a powder keg on his hands about as big as the Balkans in 1912. Nevertheless, this team can score and score quickly if need be. They have playmakers that can get them out of sticky situations (like the Buffalo game last year). The Cowboys have an average schedule, ranked 14th hardest in the league. Their offensive prowess and strength of their defensive front 7 (led by OLB Demarcus Ware) puts the pieces in place for another NFC East Championship, even with the defending-champion Giants and youth-infused Redskins nipping at their heels.
Ian’s 2008 Prediction: 11-5
John’s 2008 Prediction: 12-4
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