Dallas Cowboys: 5 Key X-Factors That Will Decide How Far Boys Go in 2012

No team is more unpredictable than the Dallas Cowboys.

America’s Team enters every campaign with Super Bowl expectations. And those expectations aren’t foolish—they always look phenomenal on paper. But key weaknesses emerge and derail Dallas’ season year in and year out

Here are five players who performances will prove to be the X-factors in the Cowboys’ 2012 success or failure.

5. Dez Bryant

Bryant boasts the potential to be a top-five wideout. If he rises to his ceiling, he’ll take the Cowboys offense to another level. A dominant Dez combined with Miles Austin, DeMarco Murray and Jason Witten will be too much firepower for opposing defenses to slow down.

But if he continues to produce at the same solid rate, Dallas will simply field a good offense and not a great one.

4. Brodney Pool

Jerry Jones signed former New York Jets safety this offseason to replace the incompetent Abram Elam. Pool is gifted, but he’s been plagued by not only injuries, but underachievement throughout his career.

Dallas has a potentially detrimental weakness at free safety. Pool’s ability to stay on the field and increase his level of play will determine if that hole gets filled this season.

3. Morris Claiborne

Apparently, Eli Manning’s 346 and 400-yard passing performances against the Cowboys woke them up. They brought in two huge additions at the cornerback position this offseason in Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. Dallas already knows what it's getting with Carr, but not the rookie—at least right away.

Claiborne must adjust to the NFL quickly so the Cowboys aren’t forced to start the disgustingly inconsistent Mike Jenkins.

2. Anthony Spencer

Spencer has yet to live up to the expectations that come with being a first-round pick. He recorded a mediocre total of 16 sacks in his last three seasons combined. That’s inexcusable with DeMarcus Ware demanding double teams on the other side.

Spencer’s improvement this summer will determine if the Cowboys pass-rush takes a step into the elite category.

1. Tony Romo

For the first three quarters, Romo should just keep doing what he’s doing. In the fourth, he has to get himself together.

His performance in crunch time last year left many fans wondering if he has what it takes to lead the Cowboys to a title. Romo is one of the most talented passers in the NFL, but unless he eliminates his late-mental lapses, Dallas isn’t sniffing a Super Bowl this season.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels