The Stats:
Regular Season Record: 9-7
Last Six Games: 3-3
All-Time Playoff Record: 32-23
Cowboys' Previous Playoff Results
The Team:
Team Colors: Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Metallic Silver Blue, and White
Head Coach: Bill Parcells
Owner: Jerry Jones
Mascot: Rowdy
Location: Irving, Texas
Offensive Rankings:
Run: 13th (121.1 ypg)
Pass: 5th (239.8 ypg)
Overall: 5th (360.8 ypg)
Points Per Game: 4th (26.6 ppg)
Key Player: Tony Romo
Romo got off to a hot start after taking over for veteran Drew Bledsoe, but has cooled considerably. He's also had trouble hanging onto the ball recently, which is a trend he must break for the Cowboys to advance deep into the playoffs. Part of the problem, however, is his offensive line has not been making life comfortable in the pocket. And defenses are going to keep putting the pressure on until both Romo and the line prove they can handle it.
Defensive Rankings:
Run: 10th (103.7 ypg)
Pass: 24th (219.1 ypg)
Overall: 13th (322.8 ypg)
Points Per Game: 20th (21.9 ppg)
Key Player: Demarcus Ware
The Cowboys have spiraled downward defensively since Greg Ellis was lost to injury. The only other player who seems capable of providing a consistent pass rush since Ellis went down is Ware. The young linebacker has played tremendously this season, but he's going to have to turn it up a notch or two to compensate for the lack of a pass rush from his teammates, and help out a pass defense that has been getting picked apart.
Special Teams:
Key Player: Terence Newman
Newman has the speed to make game-changing plays on both defense and special teams. And with the down note this team finished the regular season on, they may need a spark from the return game to keep them alive.
Turnovers:
Give Aways: 11th (30)
Take Aways: 8th (31)
Outlook:
Just a couple months ago, the Cowboys looked like a team on a mission. Now they seem to be searching for an identity. Heading into the season, the team appeared to have a potent defense to hang their hats on. But the once-promising unit has been gouged lately, and an answer doesn't seem to be on the immediate horizon.
It appears the Cowboys are going to have to shoot it out offensively, which will lead to more turnovers, and probably isn't going to get them out of the NFC tournament. Unless they turn up the defense, they're destined for a quick exit.
Cowboys Roster:
Offense
11 - Drew Bledsoe QB
9 - Tony Romo QB
24 - Marion Barber III RB
21 - Julius Jones RB
39 - Lousaka Polite RB
28 - Tyson Thompson RB
14 - Miles Austin WR
84 - Patrick Crayton WR
83 - Terry Glenn WR
17 - Sam Hurd WR
81 - Terrell Owens WR
80 - Anthony Fasano TE
86 - Ryan Hannam TE
82 - Jason Witten TE
52 - Al Johnson C
76 - Flozell Adams OT
75 - Marc Colombo OT
69 - Jason Fabini OT
63 - Kyle Kosier OT
77 - Pat McQuistan OT
67 - Joe Berger OG
65 - Andre Gurode OG
71 - Cory Procter OG
62 - Marco Rivera OG
Defense
72 - Stephen Bowen DE
99 - Chris Canty DE
93 - Kenyon Coleman DE
53 - Junior Glymph DE
97 - Jason Hatcher DE
91 - L.P. Ladouceur DE
90 - Jeremiah Ratliff DE
96 - Marcus Spears DE
95 - Jason Ferguson DT
60 - Montavious Stanley DT
50 - Akin Ayodele LB
57 - Kevin Burnett LB
54 - Bobby Carpenter LB
98 - Greg Ellis LB
55 - Ryan Fowler LB
46 - Oliver Hoyte LB
56 - Bradie James LB
51 - Al Singleton LB
94 - DeMarcus Ware LB
36 - Quincy Butler CB
26 - Aaron Glenn CB
42 - Anthony Henry CB
33 - Nathan Jones CB
41 - Terence Newman CB
35 - Jacques Reeves CB
29 - Keith Davis S
37 - Abram Elam S
34 - Tony Parrish S
25 - Pat Watkins S
31 - Roy Williams S
Kicker/Punter
7 - Martin Gramatica K
1 - Mat McBriar P
