2011 NFC East Game-By-Game Schedule Predictions for the Dallas Cowboys: Postseason Foundation

The 2010 season was one to forget for the Dallas Cowboys. They entered into it confidently -- Tony Romo had apparently purged the playoff monkey that had been living on his back for the past 3 years by defeating the Eagles in the NFC Wildcard; Wade Phillips seemed to have the best grasp on his team since their 2007 season, and the organization had stolen the supposed "best receiver in the draft" late in the first round.

With all the optimism, it seemed like fate -- Super Bowl XLV was scheduled in Jerry Jones' new stadium, a 21^st century football coliseum fit for a dynasty. Everything was in place: The Cowboys seemed to have a one-way ticket to the Super Bowl, with an explosive passing attack, an extremely deep running game, and a ferocious defense led by former NFC Defensive Play of the Year DeMarcus Ware. America's Team was back, and, better than ever.

The optimism did not last long. Dallas plummeted to a 1-7 record for the first half of the season. Wade Phillips' career with the Cowboys would thankfully come to an end. Tony Romo would be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injury, and the running game would go south. The season got better during the post-Wade era, with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett taking over head coaching duties, and the Cowboys finished 6-10 and were forced to watch the Super Bowl from their homes.

However, I see the Cowboys entering the 2011 season rested and renewed, prepared for an all-out assault on the NFC East. I think they're going to do all right.

I'm using as reference FB Schedules' "2011 Dallas Cowboys Football Schedule."

The Dallas Cowboys against the NFC East:

It's no secret that the NFC East is probably the NFL's most competitive division, not to mention the most successful. Among the Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants, there are 11 Super Bowl titles. No other division has that kind of championship success.

However, most of those Super Bowls are from long ago, so let's forget about that. Let's focus on the fact that three of the four starting quarterbacks in the division are Pro Bowlers, and the one who is not (Eli Manning of the Giants) is a Super Bowl MVP. If Dallas hopes to do better this season, they need to come out of their division struggles as a winner. That is exactly what I predict them to do; I believe they will sweep Washington and split with Philly and New York, coming out 4-2 in the division.

I believe that the foundation to going anywhere for the Cowboys starts with the NFC East. In modern-day times, the Eagles or the Giants could rob them of the chance to play in the postseason. I do not think that is in the cards for 2011.

Reference:

FB Schedules Website, "2011 Dallas Cowboys Football Schedule"