Dallas Cowboys: 15 Bold Predictions for the 2011-2012 Season

First, the lockout threatened to come. Then it came and has taken the football world by storm. But alas, the storm has all but passed and the 2011-12 season is fast approaching with many, including NFL players and owners alike, feeling like the season will start on time.

As Opening Day begins to stick his head from out of the shadows, it's time for the predictions to take the forefront. It's time to be bold. It's time to be daring. It's time to be a real fan and step out on a limb and predict your team's fate, of course with valid reasoning to back it up.

Here are 15 bold predictions for the 2011-2012 season for the Dallas Cowboys. These aren't just wishes; these predictions will come true.

1: The Cowboys Will Win the NFC East Division

Last season, the Dallas Cowboys finished third in the NFC (Beast) East division. That was mainly due to the slow start of the season (1-7), the midseason coaching change and the season-ending injury to quarterback Tony Romo.

After Jason Garrett took over head-coaching duties, the team began to legitimately compete, finishing the season with a 6-2 record and splitting the season series with all teams in the division.

In the season's finale against the division winner Philadelphia Eagles, the Cowboys looked impressive as they pulled out a 14-13 win in a game the Eagles needed to win as they were still contending for playoff position and home field advantage.

2: Tony Romo Will End the Season in the Top Three in Touchdown Passes

Now that Tony Romo is 100 percent healthy, and all of his weapons are at his disposal, he will return to the form of the 2009 season where he threw 26 touchdowns and more than 4,400 yards.

Jason Garrett, the newly established head coach, has more weapons than he did in 2009 to create an offense with, and with the addition of third-round draft pick DeMarco Murray, there will be too much speed on the field for defenses to contend with.

That will alleviate the rebuilding of the offensive line and allow Romo to get the ball out of his hands faster, thus giving more touchdowns to big-play receivers like Dez Bryant and Miles Austin.

3: The Dallas Cowboys Will End 2011 Ranked in the Top Three in Total Offense.

Last year wasn't as dismal as it seems.

Although the injuries and coaching change took a huge toll on the outcome of the season, the offense didn't perform as badly as expected. The offense ended the year ranked seventh in total offense and seventh in points scored.

Now that Tony Romo, the entire arsenal and the coaching staff are all in tact, the offense will finally look to reach the potential that looms large when written on paper.

Now the names on the stat sheet will finally produce yards and points on the scoreboard.

4: The Cowboys Will Hit It Big in Free Agency and Land Nnamdi Asomugha

Is this wishful thinking? Not really. There is no secret that the Cowboys are in dire need of an all-pro caliber defensive back.

The Dallas defense was the biggest disappointment last year, even with the slow start to the season and Romo's injury. After Jason Garret took over, the Cowboys turned their competitive nature around and put themselves in the hunt to actually win the NFC East.

The defense just couldn't keep opposing offenses off the field and gave up entirely too many big plays in the secondary. The Cowboys will have the cap room to go after the best defensive back available, and probably the second-best cover-corner in the league behind the Jets Darrelle Revis.

5: Nnamdi Asomugha Will Help the Defense End 2011 Ranked in the Top Three

Sometimes, the difference between being decent and great is one missing piece. That piece is Nnamdi Asomugha.

Adding him to the dominance of DeMarcus Ware and defensive prowess of Terrence Newman and Gerald Sensabaugh, who both had five interceptions in 2010, will give the Dallas Cowboys the total package. The youth and speed at the linebacker position, added to the veteran knowledge and leadership of Keith Brooking, will make it very tough for opposing offenses to plan against.

Asomugha will complete the dynamic secondary and will give Dallas the flexibility, along with young Mike Jenkins, who made large strides in 2010, to confuse the best QB's in the league.

6: DeMarcus Ware Will Lead the NFL in Sacks...Again

Now that we've established how the Cowboy defense will be much improved and balanced with speed all over the field, it will be harder for teams to key on DeMarcus Ware.

Last season, when Ware was the key piece to the defense to key on, he still lead the league with 15.5 sacks. He lead the NFL in 2008 with 20 and was in the top 10 in 2007 with 14.

Although the Dallas defense will be very much improved in all other areas besides the pass rush, DeMarcus Ware will be the sole ingredient that makes the Cowboy defense frightful for opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.

7: The Dallas Cowboys Will Lead the League in Total Rushing Yards

The Cowboys still don't have a feature running back—bad news for the rest of the league.

The three-headed monster that makes up the rushing attack for the Dallas Cowboys includes Marion Barber (the power), Felix Jones (the speed) and Tashard Choice (the mixture).

In the third round, the Cowboys drafted DeMarco Murray from Oklahoma. Although the backfield is very crowded and will be hard for him get carries in the beginning, his open-field ability to make defenders miss and burst of speed is similar to the style of Reggie Bush.

In the last two seasons, Jones and Barber have both missed games because of injury, so it may not be long before Murray is able to wow the Cowboy fans with his abilities. He will also be the reason the rushing attack will not miss a beat all year if one head of the monster gets hurt.

8: Michael Vick's Worst Game in 2011 Will Be against the Cowboys

In 2010, Michael Vick was a legitimate MVP candidate. He may well be again in 2011. The reason he won't win the award again is that he will face the Cowboy defense twice in 2011.

Vick's versatility with his legs, and now much improved passing from the pocket, stifled almost every team he faced last season. This year, he will have to keep a close eye on DeMarcus Ware, even more than usual.

The defensive secondary will be so improved in 2011 that he won't be able to find his weapons as quickly, giving Ware time to tee-off or push Vick out of the pocket. The speedy linebackers that will be waiting for him will limit his big plays and ultimately give him his worse two games of the season.

9: Tony Romo Will Once Again Be Voted to the All-Pro Team

Tony Romo is a three-time All-Pro quarterback. When you give him many weapons to attack a defense with, he is virtually impossible to stop.

The Cowboys will give him more weapons than he has ever had in his arsenal, and now that he is wiser and more accurate, there is no reason why he won't throw for over 4,000 yards once again and be named an All-Pro.

Expect his interceptions to be down as well as he will not have to force as many balls to get to a favorite or troublesome receiver.

10: Roy Williams Will Not Be a Cowboy by the End of the 2011 Season

It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys are a team that traditionally are known for having all-pro caliber quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.

Trading for Roy Williams has not panned out like expected and for being a No. 1 receiver, he does not possess the long-ball speed needed to stretch the defense. That role will go to Dez Bryant.

Miles Austin has shown to have big play hands and speed to successfully occupy the No. 2 spot. The slot receiver position needs to be someone who is willing to go over the middle, has the toughness to make catches in traffic and the speed to break away from linebackers and safeties.

In the sixth round, Dallas drafted Dwayne Harris from East Carolina. He possesses all those skills and adds the willingness to stick his nose in and become a good run blocker. His addition will allow for the Cowboys to move Roy Williams to someone who is willing to take on his salary and rid Dallas of this not-so-talented No. 1 receiver.

11: Jason Garrett Will Win the NFL Coach of the Year Award

This year, the Cowboys will sneak up on the league. How is that possible?

Dallas is always a preseason Super Bowl favorite on many lists, but because of the last few years of non-successful playoff runs or missing the playoffs entirely, this year they will not be expected to do anything Super.

Ending the year with a record of 6-10 will serve as a blessing in disguise for Jason Garrett as he leads the Cowboys to the biggest win-loss turn around in the league and is awarded the 2011 NFL Coach of the Year.

12: Dez Bryant Will Become an All-Pro

Dez Bryant is exciting. Dez Bryant is explosive. Dez Bryant is a multi-talented receiver and will be named to the 2011 All-Pro team.

His emergence last year, even with Romo going down due to injury, gives high expectations for this year. But with Romo now healthy and back to his All-Pro level of accuracy, Dez Bryant will be even harder to stop.

Defenses will not be able to key on Bryant with the formidable rushing attack of Barber, Choice, Jones and Murray and other receiving weapons like Austin and Witten defenses will not be able to keep an eye on Bryant, except for when he's celebrating after scoring a touchdown.

13: Dallas Cowboy Cheeleader Cassie Trammell Will Appear in Playboy

OK, I know this is going off the trend just a little, but this is a bold prediction.

The Cowboys will experience a major turn around in 2011. When the Cowboys are in the spotlight, so are the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. And Cassie Trammell has the exuberance and party style that will fit what Mr. Hefner and the executives at Playboy like.

Look for something to come out around December of 2011 or January of 2012, just before the Super Bowl.

14: The Cowboys Will Defeat the Eagles in the NFC East Championship Game

The Rubber Match: Cowboys vs. Eagles. This time all the marbles will be at stake.

The Eagles will make the playoffs as a wild-card team and make it, Ala the Green Bay Packers, to the NFC title game. The difference is they won't go to the Super Bowl like the Packers did.

They will meet their division rival Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium and not perform very well. This will serve as Michael Vick's second bad game versus the Cowboys and will be the reason why the Cowboys win a trip to the Super Bowl.

15: The Dallas Cowboys Will Defeat the Patriots To Win Super Bowl XLVI

The big game has arrived, and it's time to choose between America's team and America's favorite quarterback.

Tom Brady is no doubt a future first ballot Hall of Fame selection. He will play very well in this game but not MVP well. The Dallas defense will do just enough to stifle Brady as he will not have an many weapons as Tony Romo will have in his arsenal.

The Patriot defense will be worn down by the rushing attack of the Cowboys and then exposed by big plays from Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Felix Jones.

When it's over, Jason Garrett will hug Tony Romo just before he screams, "I'm going to Disney World," as all Super Bowl MVP's have done.

Cowboy fans get ready for one heck of a season.