had only started a handful of games. Last season, under new coach Wade Phillips, they raced out to a 12-1 record before finishing 1-3.

Terrell Owens was injured late in the season, and Romo again played poorly in the playoffs.

This season, they seem to have it all. T.O., Patrick Crayton, Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Jason Witten give them all the skill-position players they could ask for. Romo is entering his third season as a starter. The offensive line is stacked with three Pro Bowl players.

The defense added Zach Thomas, Pacman Jones, and Mike Jenkins. If the Cowboys can’t win a playoff game this year, they have no excuses. If they can’t make it to the Super Bowl, they will have had a disappointing season.

The problem the Cowboys have is that they have people that traditionally come up small in the playoffs, and I’m not even talking about Romo. It is not fair to give Romo that tag after appearing in only two playoff games. I’m talking about T.O. and Phillips.

For all of T.O.’s regular-season success since becoming a star receiver in the 1998 season, he is 2-6 in the playoffs. He had a fantastic game against the New York Giants when the 49ers overcame a 38-14 third-quarter deficit. He had nine receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He also played well in the Super Bowl with Philly.

Other than that, he has a bunch of games under 100 yards and with very low touchdown output. Owens has six catches for 75 yards and one touchdown in his two Dallas playoff losses.  He had four catches for 35 yards and zero touchdowns in a 2002 playoff loss to the Bucs.  He had four catches for 40 yards in a 2001 playoff loss to the Packers.  That just won't get the job done.

Part of that is because he tends to be hurt at the end of the season. That was the case in 2004, 2006, and 2007. He needs to stay healthy, and he needs to bring his A-game for the Cowboys to win.

Then there is Wade Phillips. He has a 61-42 record as a head coach, but is 0-4 in the playoffs. Part of that can be blamed on a Music City Miracle, but part of the debacle last year was his fault. That team looked fat and comfortable against New York.

This year, there are no excuses. They should have all the talent and motivation to get the job done. If the Cowboys give a bad show in the playoffs, he isn’t going to have another crack at it. I look for the Cowboys to win that first playoff game and to be the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

 

3) Will Peyton Manning be ready for the season opener?

It’s difficult to say at this point. Surgeries have so many variables that Manning will not be able to control. Infection is always the biggest worry. Given that he has never missed a game in his career, and given that he has a history of healing fast and taking care of his body, I would be shocked if he wasn’t ready to go.

The problem for Indy is that they don’t get a cakewalk-type schedule to open the season and allow Manning to get back in the flow. They open at home against Chicago, travel to Minnesota, and return home to face Jacksonville. If he starts off slowly, the schedule has the potential to put the Colts in an early-season hole.

That is something foreign to this team in recent years. Since 2000, the Colts are 20-4 in September. Their last September loss was a 27-24 game on Sept. 9, 2004, at New England.

Peyton Manning isn’t going to lose chemistry with his receivers. Harrison, Wayne, Clark, and Addai have a lot of experience in this offense. The offensive line has been together for a while. The question is more based on ability.

If the knee is sore, will Manning be able to make the throws with the same accuracy and velocity that he is accustomed to? How much mobility will the injury take away?

Peyton Manning is a prolific passer, and I am not betting against him. I think he will be sharp and ready to go to start the season. I look for him to have another Peyton Manning-like year.

 

2) Can New England, Tom Brady, and Randy Moss duplicate their 2007 success?

The schedule actually lines up better for them in 2008 than 2007. In 2007, the Patriots had eight games against playoff teams from 2006 on the schedule. In 2008, the Patriots have just four.

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