The Dallas Cowboys are 2-7 and have put themselves in a difficult position to make the playoffs this season. Dallas has lost seven straight games, in large part because the team has been without Tony Romo for eight weeks. However, Romo is now back and there is a sliver of hope left. Here are the 5 Things That Will Decide If The Cowboys Make The Playoffs.
5. Defense
The Cowboys' defense has been roughly a league average unit. That's good enough to win games with Romo, but the defense didn't step up with Romo out. The defense is battling injuries, but they need to give the offense a chance to win games. The Cowboys don't need a Top 10 defense, but it certainly would help if the defense can step up every now and then. Perhaps getting Sean Lee back will be the boost the defense needs.
4. Dez Bryant
Bryant is back from his foot injury, but he needs to do more now that Romo is back. In the three games Bryant played without Romo, he caught 12 passes for 161 yards and a TD. The vast majority of his production came against the Eagles and the Cowboys need Bryant to be more consistent. They also need him to stay healthy, as the offense isn't as good without him.
3. Running Game
This one part running backs and one part offensive line. The running backs look totally different from the start of the season and Dallas is counting on Darren McFadden to continue playing well and avoid injury. If McFadden goes down, the Cowboys will likely turn to Rod Smith, since the newly-signed Robert Turbin doesn't know the offense yet. The offensive line has been a bit better after a slow start, but they still aren't quite a Top 5 unit. Perhaps getting Romo back will help the offensive line.
2. Tony Romo
Call it the "Romo Effect." Every element of the Cowboys should be better with the return of Romo. It needs to be if Dallas wants to make the playoffs. The team put their star QB in a difficult spot, failing to win even a single game with him out. Now, the playoff chances fall on the shoulders of Romo and he'll need to pull off a near-miracle to get Dallas back to the playoffs. He's a clutch QB, but getting Dallas to the playoffs will be a herculean task. It is something Romo has the ability to do, but it's going to be very tough.
1. Rest Of The NFC East
The Cowboys' failure to win any games with Romo out has cost them a chance to control their own destiny. The Cowboys are two games back of the Eagles and Redskins and 2.5 back of the Giants. The Cowboys play the Redskins twice, but that's the end of the divisional games. The Cowboys need some help from their NFC East counterparts. The Cowboys could be further back in the division race, but they still have to play catch up. If the NFC East struggles and no team wins more than three games the rest of the way, then maybe the Cowboys and Romo can do the impossible and make the playoffs.
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