AFC preview
If New England is a lock to win the AFC playoffs -- and the smart money says it is -- then tell me whom the Patriots face in Super Bowl XLII.
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| Tony Romo on the spot? You bet. (Getty Images) |
The point is: The NFC is as wide open as it's been in years.
A month ago I would've told you the conference belonged to two teams, Dallas and Green Bay. Then the Packers bombed out in Chicago, the Cowboys limped to the finish, the Redskins exploded on to the scene and the Giants came this close to upsetting New England.
Now, I'm not so sure who makes it. What I am sure of is that virtually anyone in the NFC has a chance to spend February in Phoenix. So let's get started handicapping the field:
1. Dallas Cowboys
Key stat: Lost two of their last three this season and four of their last five (including the playoffs) a year ago.
Player on the spot: Quarterback Tony Romo. He faded down the stretch in 2006, and he's starting to flounder again -- even when Jessica Simpson isn't in the stands. In the Cowboys' last two losses he failed to produce a touchdown pass. Heck, the Cowboys failed to produce a touchdown, period. The guy has passer ratings of 22.2 and 34.9 in two of his last three starts, and while he was in there against Washington last Sunday the Cowboys had just three plays longer than 9 yards. Uh-oh.
Area of concern: Terrell Owens' high-ankle sprain. The Cowboys don't look the same without T.O., and, I'm sorry, Terry Glenn's return does not ameliorate the situation. Owens may not be ready for the divisional playoff game, and that's trouble. In case you didn't notice, Romo hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since Owens left in the second quarter of the win over Carolina.
Team strength: Usually, it's the passing game. The Cowboys ranked fourth, and Romo was second to only Tom Brady in touchdown passes with a team-record 36. But if they're forced to play without Owens they're in trouble, and look no farther than last weekend's loss to Washington for the evidence.
Will go to the Super Bowl if ... Owens gets healthy, and Romo straightens himself out. They have the most talent in the NFC. The Pro Bowl demonstrated that. But talent doesn't always win games. Momentum can help, and right now the Cowboys have none.
The skinny: Dallas is the favorite to represent the NFC at the Super Bowl, but the natives in Big D are restless. And they should be. Their club pulled an el foldo down the stretch in 2006 and could be in for a repeat performance here. The Cowboys were a machine for most of the season, scoring 31 or more points in eight of the first 12 games. But then look what happened: They lucked out to beat Detroit; they lost to Philadelphia; they squeezed by Carolina; and they lost to Washington. I'd be restless, too.
