DALLAS COWBOYS

2012 Odds:
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Odds to Win NFC East: 11/4
Odds to Win NFC Championship: 10/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 20/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 8.5

2012 Preview:
Offense:
Although new offensive coordinator Bill Callahan comes in with a reputation as one of the better zone blocking coaches, he does have experience coaching power schemes as well. The Cowboys have gotten younger and more athletic on the line, and they’re capable of mixing in zone stuff, but don’t expect wholesale changes in Callahan’s first year. As far as the running back rotation, DeMarco Murray will take almost all the snaps on first and second down, while third down will likely belong to Felix Jones.

This is still an aggressive Air Coryell offense. They worked out of a three-receiver base last year, though whether they do again will depend on the development of Kevin Ogletree as Laurent Robinson’s replacement. It’s a pick-your-poison offense of top-to-bottom reads, where Dez Bryant is often the first look. The double teams he drew are what opened up room for Robinson and Romo’s security blanket from a year ago, tight end Jason Witten. Miles Austin still has a big role as well, as they’ll put him in motion to create mismatches in the middle of the field. He’ll slide to the slot when they play three WRs. The screen game is a weapon they use with some frequency, mostly when Felix Jones is on the field. The Cowboys are still pass-heavy in the red zone, where Dez Bryant is their preferred target. Austin also has a big role, and Witten is used on play-action near the goal line.

Defense:
The Cowboys know they need to improve on defense, and drafting the top DB in college, Morris Claiborne, was a good first step in the right direction. OLB DeMarcus Ware (19.5 sacks in 2011) will always keep Dallas near the top of the sack charts, and he was also second in the league in non-sack pressures (40.5 knockdowns and hurries). Sean Lee showed off some impressive ball skills in intercepting four passes from the linebacker position.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
QB Kyle Orton (from Chiefs)
FB Lawrence Vickers (from Texans)
T Pat McQuistan (from Saints)
G Nate Livings (from Bengals)
G Mackenzy Bernadeau (from Panthers)
G Daniel Loper (did not play in 2011)
LB Dan Connor (from Panthers)
CB Brandon Carr (from Chiefs)

SUBTRACTIONS
FB Tony Fiammetta (Patriots)
WR Laurent Robinson (Jaguars)
WR Jesse Holley (Patriots)
TE Martellus Bennett (Giants)
G Kyle Kosier (released)
LB Bradie James (Texans)
LB Keith Brooking (Broncos)
CB Terence Newman (Bengals)
CB Alan Ball (Texans)
S Abram Elam (Chiefs)
PK David Buehler (released)
P Mat McBriar (Eagles)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 21.63 (1st toughest in NFL)
Week 1 - at New York Giants
Week 2 - at Seattle
Week 3 - Tampa Bay
Week 4 - Chicago
Week 5 - BYE WEEK
Week 6 - at Baltimore
Week 7 - at Carolina
Week 8 - New York Giants
Week 9 - at Atlanta
Week 10 - at Philadelphia
Week 11 - Cleveland
Week 12 - Washington
Week 13 - Philadelphia
Week 14 - at Cincinnati
Week 15 - Pittsburgh
Week 16 - New Orleans
Week 17 - at Washington

StatFox Take: The schedule is certainly a bear (deemed the toughest in the NFL) with eight games versus 2011 playoff teams plus two more matchups with a Philadelphia club picked by many to win the NFC East division. However, Dallas has five home games versus non-playoff opponents, and this team has enough offensive firepower to compensate for an average defense. This Over/Under bet could be determined in the final week of the season, but despite the weaker payoff, expect the Cowboys to finish with a winning record for the sixth time in eight seasons.
Prediction: OVER 8.5 wins (-145)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

AFC West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants - Saturday, August 18
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1