PointCounterpoint

Sporting News, The, Dec 14, 1998 by Kyle Veltrop, Sean Stewart

ARE THE 8-5 COWBOYS AS GOOD AS THEIR RECORD?

YES

Sure, they got blown out by the Vikings and the Broncos, but last time I checked, those teams were a combined 25-1. And how would an 11-5 or 12-4 Dallas record be any different from those gaudy 49ers records of recent years, farmed from the weak sisters of the NFC West? Teams play the schedules they are dealt. The Cowboys aren't as good as they once were, but they don't have to be. Granted, the Vikings are great, but the 49ers are in serious trouble without Bryant Young; the Packers are banged up and not as good as last season; and the Falcons have hidden their deficiencies behind Jamal Anderson. The Cowboys have excelled on offense by keeping opponents guessing with multiple looks and an everybody-gets-a-reception approach. That, along with a strong running game led by Larry Allen and a healthy Emmitt Smith, has Dallas averaging 25.7 points since Troy Aikman returned from injury. Deion Sanders is expected back soon, upgrading the defense from decent to good. Those factors will make the Cowboys a force at playoff time. --Sean Stewart

NO

The Cowboys will be in the playoffs, but once they get there, they should not have any visions of grandeur. See, there's a funny little requirement to advance past the first round: You have to beat a good team. The average record of Dallas' eight victims was 4-8. And things get even easier for the `Boys, who will have zero quality wins come January. (Before you say "Arizona," think about what you're saying.) Dallas has faced the best in both the AFC (Denver) and NFC (Minnesota)--and gotten absolutely smoked. This team just doesn't have the personnel to stay with the big boys. Before getting hurt, cornerback Kevin Smith was being picked on more than the winner of a third-grade science fair, and the linebackers are average. Save for Leon Lett, the defensive line is pedestrian. The offense can stick it to the Eagles of the world, but it doesn't strike fear into opponents the way the Vikings, Packers and 49ers can. There's no doubt Dallas has taken steps in the right direction this season. But let's remember, those are baby steps. -- Kyle Veltrop