Dallas Cowboys: Can They Really Win the NFC East This Year?

Inconsistency in the NFL has become sort of a norm this season. If you don't agree just look at the NFC East division standings.

The New York Giants lead the Dallas Cowboys by only a game even though they have been the punch line of many jokes this year.

The 'Boys are 5-5, while the Giants are sitting at 6-4. New York has the Green Bay Packers this week, and Dallas has the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving. By this week's end they could be in a virtual tie for first place.

Let that sink in.

Yes, the Cowboys, after everything they've gone through this year, could end up being the division champs. Possibly. In any case, the real question is if it will actually happen.

The Cowboys schedule isn't the easiest down the stretch, though. After the Redskins they face Philly, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and New Orleans before closing out the season in a rematch against the 'Skins in Washington. 

All winnable games, especially if Ben Roethlisberger is done for the year. But no gimmies. 

The Giants on the other hand, have a much more difficult schedule. After Green Bay this week they close with Washington, New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore and Philly. 

So it isn't far-fetched to say that at the end of the season we could be looking at the Cowboys in the playoffs. But with the inconsistency the 'Boys have showed this season—you just never know, no matter what kind of schedule they have. 

One week they look good against Atlanta, the next they look putrid against Cleveland. This team looks very similar to the 2010 Packers, who started the season 3-3 then got hot and went on to win the Super Bowl. 

The Cowboys have yet to get hot, but you got to wonder...if they do, how far they can go?