There’s a glimmer of hope that the team can add to the list of world championship seasons.
Outside of Jerry Jones and some die-hard fans, you might be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks the Cowboys will make a Super Bowl run this year.
Thanks to the Dallas Morning News, though, we know that ESPN’s Jamison Hensley thinks that the Cowboys and Texans will face off in Super Bowl XLVII.
Two quick thoughts: (1) New Orleans was a good place for the Cowboys to visit following the 1971 and 1977 seasons, so there’s at least some history; and (2) who the hell is Jamison Hensley?
(Answer: ESPN’s AFC North blogger. I’m confident now.)
Anyway, several commentators have the Cowboys going 8-8 again, or perhaps going 9-7, or perhaps going 7-9. In a Morning News poll, 24.63% think Dallas will go 10-6, while 20.42% think that Dallas will go 9-7. The Morning News staff has the Cowboys starting at 3-1 only to finish at 9-7. Importantly, the staff thinks the Cowboys will be swept by both the Eagles and Giants. The only bold prediction by DMN with a positive spin is that the Cowboys will beat New Orleans in week 16.
Back to ESPN, most have picked either the Eagles or Giants to win the NFC East. However, at least Herm Edwards thinks that Dallas will grab one of the two wildcard spots.
This defense is vastly improved with Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr on the outside. If Tony Romo and the rest of the offensive cast can stay healthy (and out of trouble), watch out.
Mel Kiper picked the Cowboys as a possible dark horse, though he wouldn’t use the label dark horse.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Bengals won 11 games. I could also see them winning five. They’re the team I can’t peg either way, which has been their history. The Cowboys aren’t much of a dark horse in that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them in the playoffs, but Dallas is an 11-win team if it can stay healthy in key spots.
Related articles
Blogging impatiently about the Cowboys since 2006. Being a fan since 1977 hasn't required quite as much patience. 
