To the surprise of many the Dallas Cowboys have had a very fast start to the season. After losing the first game of the season in embarrassing fashion to the San Francisco 49ers, the Cowboys have now won three games in a row and are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East lead. Many NFL reporters had predicted the Cowboys wouldn't even break the five win mark, but they appear to be much better than originally thought.
Now, on to the question that everyone is asking: Are the Cowboys for real? It is not uncommon for Dallas to shine bright for a few weeks and crumble their way down to .500 plenty of times the last decade. Tony Romo has stood toe to toe with all time great quarterbacks and won games only to look like a below average passer a week later. So why is this season any different or worth getting excited about for Cowboys fans? First and foremost, DeMarco Murray.
Murray is running behind what is arguably the best offensive line in the National Football League and certainly the best group the Cowboys have had since the 90s. The Cowboys are averaging a league leading 165 yards per game which has allowed Dallas to close out games much more efficiently than before. Murray himself leads the league in rushing and is averaging an incredible 133.5 yards per game. His 534 rushing yards are 156 more than the next highest rusher.
This new found ground attack is dragging more defenders into the box to try and slow Murray down, allowing Romo better looks at Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams. Romo had two touchdown passes Sunday night against a Saints' defense that had eight men in the box to counter the run. Also this offensive line has given Romo better pockets and much more time to read the field, Romo with time is very dangerous. The balance of the Cowboys' offense has caused scheming problems for defensive coordinators in their three wins.
The biggest surprise of the season for the Cowboys has been the revival of the defense. With Rolando McClain resurrecting his career to anchor down the Cowboys' defense, they have shut down opposing offenses in critical moments. The defense has proven to be very opportunistic in causing turnovers while swarming to the football with renewed urgency. After stonewalling a very dangerous Saints' offense, Cowboys' fans are feeling better than ever about their defense going into the rest of the season.
After a quarter of the regular season in the books, the Cowboys appear to be contenders. They still have to prove that their defense can slow down the high flying Eagles' offense if they want to win the NFC East. If the team can stay healthy for a full season then the Cowboys pose a very real threat to NFC contenders and should be on everyone's radars following this hot start.
The answer is yes, the Cowboys are very much for real. Assuming health, Dallas will win the NFC East.