COWBOYS OFFENSE
The Dallas Cowboys proved to be the Beast of the NFC East when they blew out the Philadelphia Eagles 24-0. They are 2-0 against them this season and are the hottest team in the NFC, winning three straight including a win against unbeaten New Orleans. Tony Romo got the December monkey off his back and is once again playing like an All Pro. He set a new team record for most passing yards in a season and most completions in a season. Both records he had set in the 2007 season. He threw for 311 yards against the Eagles so called “defense” and will do the same this week. He has only two interceptions in the last six games and no distractions, i.e. Jessica. His ball security is a big part of the Cowboys success.

Miles Austin is having a good season, too. He was named to his first Pro Bowl after finishing the season with 81 catches for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. He finished third in the league in receiving yards, which is amazing since he didn’t start until the fifth game. He seemed to have his way against Philly last week with 7 catches for 90 yards all with a big smile on his face. Jason Witten is playing well as usual and had 6 catches for 76 yards and a score against the Eagles in their latest win over them. He was named to his sixth straight Pro Bowl and has been solid all year, but has only reached the endzone twice. Marion Barber had a 35 yard run on the second snap of the game against Philly and looked like “The Barbarian” of old bowling over a helpless defense. Felix Jones may be the x-factor as he seems to break a few long runs every time they play. The offensive line has been solid giving the running backs holes to run through and Romo enough time to throw the ball.

COWBOYS DEFENSE
The Dallas Cowboys defense enters the NFC playoff on a roll after pitching the first back-to-back shutouts in the illustrious history of “America’s Team.” The defense, led by Pro-Bowlers DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff, has been functioning as a cohesive unit in the last few games. Off-season acquisitions safety Gerald Sensabaugh and defensive end Igor Olshansky have helped fill holes vacated by Roy Willams and Chris Canty. The major difference, however, may prove to be the addition of linebacker Keith Brooking, who came over as a free agent from Atlanta. He filled the void left by Zach Thomas on the field and became the emotional leader that has been sorely lacking in recent years. Brooking is a five-time Pro Bowl selection that brought a wealth of knowledge of Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense after playing under Phillips in the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Fellow linebackers Bradie James and Bobby Carpenter were also able to frustrate the Eagles offense with blitzes in Week 17, so expect to see more in the playoffs.

The secondary has been shining with the stellar play of second year cornerback Mike Jenkins and the steady presence of veteran Terence Newman. Safeties Gerald Sensabaugh and Ken Hamlin have also played well. Jenkins stepped up in his role as a starter opposite Pro Bowler Newman following the trade of Anthony Henry to Detroit for backup QB Jon Kitna.

This defense is anchored around DeMarcus Ware. When he signed his six-year $78 million contract, he joined a neighborhood he belonged in: the top five paid defensive players in the NFL. After being carted off the field against the Chargers, Ware returned to play the very next week against New Orleans and was the primary reason the Saints’ perfect season came to an end as he had two sacks for fumbles.

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