Dallas Cowboys: 7 Reasons This Is the Year Team Gets over the Hump

Who amongst ye can tell me that the Dallas Cowboys would sit at 7-5 after Sunday’s game with the Cardinals? My speculation was that the Cowboys would beat the Cardinals, move on to the Giants and emerge as a nine win team after this two-game swing.

If speculation could buy bars of gold…

At any rate Dallas lost and now face a must win contest against the New York Football Giants on Sunday night. If Dallas loses this game then the season is almost a wash. Their record will be 7-6 and every single game after Sunday’s will be a must win.

But there are reasons for optimism, my dear Dallas sports fans. Fullback Tony Fiammetta is due to return from an inexpiable sickness, which should open up lanes for the running game, and wide receiver Miles Austin should be back in action as well. So there are reasons for optimism when Dallas straps it up to face N.Y. on Sunday.

So while the Cowboys may seem to be on the decline there is always hope.

Here are seven reasons why 2011 is the year the Cowboys get over the hump, that hump being playoff success.

A Stronger Team Psyche

Check out the Cowboys' past two games prior to the Cardinals. A three point victory over the Redskins and a one point squeaker over the Dolphins. The Dallas Cowboys from last season would have lost both games and the remainder of the season would be a complete waste.

Dallas has seven victories on the season with five of those wins by 10 points or less. I think that shows a team filled with moxie, grit and strength. Sans an ill-timed timeout on Sunday Dallas has another win by less than five points and an eighth victory.

Don't give up on this group of players just yet as I believe that the toughness this group of guys has shown is worth a hand clap.

Schedule

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Dallas has the Giants, the Bucs, the Giants and the Eagles. There are three winnable games within that four listed above and if Dallas is able to pull off at least three they are in the playoffs.

While I believe that no game is an automatic win, see Arizona, the Bucs represent the easiest game on the schedule for Dallas. The Eagles and Giants are division rivals and even if both teams were out of the playoff hunt each would try their hardest to trip the Cowboys.

Dallas should want revenge against the Eagles after their Week 8 debacle in Philadelphia. The Eagles beat them like a drum 34-7 with LeSean McCoy running for almost 200 yards. I am inclined to believe that this type of showing will not happen against the Eagles and that Dallas will exact their vengeance.

Dallas is set up for an easier finish than the Giants and should take full advantage of what's in front of them.

DeMarco Murray

The Cowboys haven't had a workhorse type of back like this since Marion Barber. Honestly they really haven't had one since Emmitt Smith because Barber could be inconsistent. What will be important for the Cowboys is continuing to use Murray even when the run isn't working.

Dallas got away from the run too early against the Cardinals and Tony Romo had over 40 pass attempts. Head coach Jason Garrett has to stick with the run to control clocks and the line of scrimmage.

Murray is the type of back who can aide a team in their quest to win a Super Bowl and if Garrett uses him correctly he may be just that for Dallas.

Tony Romo

Tony has 22 touchdowns to nine interceptions in 2011. I would say that's pretty good for a guy who supposedly has a penchant for turning the ball over.

Over the past five games Romo has two picks and both came against the Dolphins on Thanksgiving. Romo has been consistent and as long as he continues to be careful with the ball I believe that he'll take Dallas far in the playoffs.

Romo should reach the 4,000 yard threshold this season with less than 15 interceptions and almost 30 touchdowns. I would say that's a man ready to take a step toward a Super Bowl.

Rob Ryan

His defense has let him down over the past few weeks but I still believe that Ryan's attitude has been great for this Cowboys team. He has a certain bravado that his players like and as long as the Cowboys defense has a spot of confidence they should be okay.

They still have to get better against the run and defending the pass but Dallas has a bend but don't break defense right now and until there is a significant upgrade in talent the Cowboys will go with what they have in the defensive backfield.

Ryan is brash and unapologetic about it and that's needed for the Cowboys. He knows that now is the time for Dallas to make a move and with that type of organized speed Dallas should be just fine.

Dez Bryant, Laurent Robinson and Tony Fiammetta

They're the new triplets, right? Bryant is coming on as of late and Robinson and Romo have this magical type of chemistry in the red zone that have accounted for seven touchdowns.

Fiammetta has been a fantastic fullback for Dallas and Murray and with his return teams will be forced to account for the running game. These three players have been great for Dallas on the offensive side of the ball and with their production Dallas has a great chance of making a deep run in the playoffs.

DeMarcus Ware

Notice I didn't mention the entire defense. Well, I'll include Sean Lee and Orlando Scandrick when he's having a good day.

Ware has 15 sacks on the season and is a quarterback's nightmare. He'll give Eli Manning, Michael Vick and Josh Freeman fits. If the Cowboys have any chance at making the playoffs and then making any type of noise when they get there, DeMarcus Ware will have to be the one playing the loud music when they arrive, understand me?

He's the guy who makes the defense go and when he's coming around the corner and bearing down on your team's quarterback I just hope Eli, Mike or Josh don't flinch.