Dallas Cowboys' Big Offense Poised For 2011 Super Bowl Run

NFL News - February 10th, 2010 - Written by John

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys finally exorcised some demons in 2009, winning their first playoff game since 1996, but a paltry performance in their divisional playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings exposed some vital shortcomings. The secondary allowed four touchdowns from Brett Favre, three of them to Sidney Rice, and surrendered 34 points.

However, head coach Wade Phillips was able to keep his job because the team finally produced late in the year, winning four-straight from Dec. 19 to Jan. 9, including a first-round win over Philadelphia. Tony Romo threw for 26 touchdowns, and had an uneventful spell holding kicks, giving fans reason to hope for a better tomorrow in 2010. Dallas was second in total offense in '09, and NFL Betting Lines have them as a 12-to-1 favorite to win the 2011 Super Bowl, according to Bodog.

That puts the Cowboys in company with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers as the fourth-horse in the early lines.

Dallas has a rare combination of star players at all four skill positions on offense . It had two 1,000-yard receivers on '09, and two running backs who both nearly reached the century mark. Miles Austin caught 81 passes for 1,320 yards in an abbreviated season that only saw him start 12 games.

He was a relatively unknown through the first four, but got his shot when Roy Williams went down with an injury. In his first game, Austin had 250 yards and two touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs, including the game-winner in overtime. Jason Witten caught 94 passes at tight end, and Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice combined for 1,966 yards on the ground.

Led by Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys defense ranked ninth in total yards, and fourth against the run.