NFL Playoff Predictions: Dallas Cowboys Will Win NFC East

After last season’s debacle, there has been understandable cynicism about the Dallas Cowboys.  The Cowboys currently sit at 7-4, making this positive piece easier to write.  At 7-4 the Cowboys are definitely in the playoff picture. 

One of the primary reasons for my cautious optimism is the Cowboys’ schedule.  They have to play the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants (twice) to round up their divisional schedule. The Cowboys can beat the Giants, but it is not a guarantee. 

In the case of the Eagles, the Cowboys were utterly demolished. The Eagles are currently without quarterback Michael Vick, who has with broken ribs, but he will probably be in the game against the boys in blue.  However, the Eagles’ prized corner Nnamdi Asomugha recently injured his knee. That alone will make the game against the Eagles much easier. 

Beyond that, the Cowboys face two 4-7 teams: the underachieving Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals.  If the Cowboys beat those two teams and beat the Giants at least once in their two meetings, the Cowboys can make at least the wild card or possibly win the NFC East.  

The Cowboys are also finally playing their game. They are running the ball much more effectively recently, with DeMarco Murray being the primary catalyst for the resurgence of the Cowboys running game.

The running game is instrumental for the Cowboys because in the games that they win, they establish an effective run game and open up Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.  The running game also takes some of the pressure off of Tony Romo, which gives him fewer opportunities for his notorious mistakes. 

The Cowboys have played a lot of close games. That might mean that the Cowboys will be unable to compete with teams that are a lot better than, say, Miami.  But playing those close games shows that this current team doesn’t give up at the first sign of adversity, which can help them plenty during their potential playoff run. 

We are seeing Tony Romo lead last-minute drives and lead the Cowboys to last-minute victories.  That is great, especially when he has always carried the stigma of being a choker. 

These reasons may not be enough for the Cowboys’ detractors to give them the playoff thumbs-up.  That doesn’t matter. This article is for those of us who want our team to do well. 

The Cowboys have a real shot at winning the division and making a deep playoff run.  They have the talent, the schedule and the coaching to reclaim their spot as one of the finest organizations in professional sports and ride the recent tidal wave of Dallas sports success.