Dallas Cowboys: Predicting Top Offensive, Defensive Stat Leaders for 2012

Touchdowns. Romo's yardage through the air was good enough for seventh best in the league and we should see a similar performance from him in 2012.

For this season, no one wonders whether Romo will lead the team in passing. The chief concern, if there is any, is whether he will make it through the entire year. The mystery area is wide receiver. Well, at least for me it is.

Will Dez Bryant take the leap and become Romo's top option, or will Miles Austin hold on to that tile for another season?

Here are my predictions for the offensive and defensive stat leaders for the Dallas Cowboys in 2012.

Passing Yards and Touchdowns: Tony Romo

No surprise here as Romo is the team's starting quarterback and threw for over 4,000 yards in 2011. Backup quarterback Kyle Orton would give Romo a run for his money if an injury or a significant injury was to occur, but with that unlikely to happen, Romo has this one in the bag.

Prediction: 4,286 yards, 33 touchdowns

Rushing Yards and Touchdowns: DeMarco Murray

This one is a little tough because it's assuming that Murray will remain healthy for the entire season. Last season I predicted that Felix Jones would rush for over 1,000 yards.

With the hope that Murray can stay on the field, I fully expect for him to lead the team in rushing as well as touchdowns. I do not think that he'll have another 253 yard one-game performance, but Murray has all of the potential to produce a 1,400-yard season.

Prediction: 1,157 yards, 8 touchdowns

Receiving Yards and Touchdowns: Dez Bryant

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is Bryant's breakout season. He's on the precipice of taking over as Romo's No. 1 option; it's just a matter of trust and confidence.

Bryant has the ability and skill, he just needs to learn the entire playbook and assure his quarterback that he's capable.

I still believe that Austin will still have a stellar season, but because he has yet to live up to his contract and Bryant has more talent, this will be Dez's season to take over.

Prediction: 1,489 yards, 13 touchdowns

Top Tight End

Jason Witten actually led the Cowboys in receiving yards last season due to injuries to Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. He is the standard for the Cowboys and Romo's top receiving option.

Witten is simply one of the best in the league and will keep that title for 2012. I am excited to see what rookie tight end James Hanna will bring to the table, but this is Witten's job for the next few seasons and maybe longer.

Prediction: 897 yards, 4 touchdowns

Tackles: Sean Lee

Lee led the team last season with 71 solo tackles and 105 total. Admittedly, I did not expect this from Lee. I thought that he would be a good linebacker who would eventually ascend to starter by matter of age and chance.

I fully expect the young leader to perform at a high level again in 2012. He will become the team's defensive pulse when DeMarcus Ware is finished.

Lee has a very high football I.Q. and he will only get smarter and better.

Prediction: 119 total tackles

Sacks: DeMarcus Ware

Ware had 19.5 sacks in 2011. Realistically, does anyone believe that he'll lose that title this year? I actually believe that Ware will lead the NFL in sacks this season as he's still on top of his game.

The Cowboys should have a better pass rush and the secondary will be much better. Ware, as always, will dominate this season.

Prediction: 16 sacks

Forced Fumbles: Sean Lee

Guess who forced the most fumbles for the Cowboys last season? Anthony Spencer. Spencer is a good talent and a decent linebacker. I expect more out of him this season, but forcing turnovers is always a good thing. That's where Sean Lee comes in.

Lee will continue to make moves and force turnovers on the defensive side of the ball. He had four interceptions last season and I believe he'll lead the team in forced turnovers in 2012.

Prediction: 3 FF

Interceptions: Brandon Carr

Carr had four picks in 2011, which would have tied for the Cowboys team lead had he played for them last season. Linebacker Sean Lee was one of the Cowboys' defensive heroes last year and Carr should be there to usurp him from that secondary responsibility.

Carr is tasked with changing the Cowboys' fortunes in the defensive backfield and will be looked upon to provide more than just interceptions.

He'll have competition from a couple of rookies this season, so even if he doesn't win this "title," I believe fans will be OK if Mike Jenkins or Morris Claiborne ends up with more interceptions.

Prediction: 6 interceptions