Local News
WFAA sports team gets out Cowboys crystal ball
06:44 PM CDT on Friday, September 5, 2008
We've been covering the Dallas Cowboys from OTAs to mini-camp to training camp and the preseason, all the off season moves and the draft and now the regular season is here.
The WFAA sports team predicts what this season will hold for the Dallas Cowboys and some of us are already making plans to be in Tampa Feb. 1.
Aaron Chimbel, WFAA.com sports:
Prediction: 12-4 record, 1st in NFC East, lose in NFC Championship Game.
Why: There is little question that this is the most talented Cowboys team since Troy, Emmitt and Michael were in their prime. But they've never proven they can win in the playoffs. They want it - bad, but like last year and the Giants, the hotter team wins playoff games. The Cowboys will have another exciting regular season and, as coach Phillips said before, they may be a better team and not win as many games. Then, after a first-round bye, they'll win a playoff game for the first time since 1996, but lose to Minnesota in the NFC Championship game. Running and defense wins playoff games and while Marion Barber, starting for the first time in his career, wears down, Adrian Peterson will run through the Cowboys and to Tampa. Next year's champions will have to wait one more year.
Ted Madden, reporter/photographer:
Prediction: 11-5 record, 1st in NFC East, Super Bowl Champs.
Why: I prefer not to call these predictions; I prefer calling them guesses, because really that's all they are. With that said, I think Dallas has the best team in the NFC, which means they could do anything from getting bounced in the first round, to winning the Super Bowl. So my guess is that they make it to the big game, and with the experience and momentum from winning two to three playoff games (not to mention their talent), they upset the AFC's representative and win their 6th Super Bowl.
Joe Trahan, anchor/reporter:
Prediction: 12-4 record, 1st in NFC East, Super Bowl Champs!!!!
Why: That offense has so many weapons and Jason Garrett should be able to improve in his second year as a coordinator. Jerry's gambling ways payoff with Adam Jones making a big impact on special teams and Tank Johnson will provide quality depth on the defensive line. Not only will the Cowboys win their first playoff game in 12 years, but their first Super Bowl in 13!
Dale Hansen, anchor/executive sports director:
Prediction: 11-5 record, 1st in NFC East, play in Super Bowl.
Why: I have the Cowboys at 11-5, winning the division and going to the Super Bowl. It's way too early to know, but that will probably be one heck of a game and a toss-up between the Patriots, Colts or Chargers. But I don't see any good reason - barring a major injury and that would be a bad reason - why this won't be the best Cowboys team in 12-13 years and that means it has to be held to a Super Bowl standard.
Nick Zelinski, producer:
Prediction: 12-4 record, 1st in NFC East, Super Bowl Champs.
Why: With this team, a team that hasn't won a playoff game since 1996, you hate to predict a Super Bowl win. But there is too much talent and too many expectations for this team not to win it all. I think the lofty expectations will eventually end up being what keeps this team in check. They know where they want to go and they will do it. It's kind of like a college football team (Big 12) going into the "vaunted" Kyle Field in College Station. There are certain expectations (crowd size, crowd noise) but the good teams just block them out and it's not as intimidating as certain people like to think. It doesn't affect the team as much as one might think. It's the same thing with the Cowboys this year. They will block out all the hype and worry about what they, as a team, have to do.
George Riba, senior reporter:
Prediction: 12-4 record, 1st in NFC East, Lose in Super Bowl.
Why: If Tony Romo misses more than four games, all bets are off. The real question is whether this team can get better in December and not get worse like they have in recent years. If they flat line again, they'll have to wait until next year. On paper, they look great. In real life, they've got zero playoff experience. But, I'm convinced if they can win that first playoff game, they'll be off and running. Ultimately, though, they'll lose in the Super Bowl to a team like Pittsburgh or New England.
Sean Hamilton, executive producer:
Prediction: 14-2 record, 1st in the NFC East, Lose in Super Bowl.
Why: The Cowboys should have a season to remember. All the talent they have reminds me of the late 70's and early 90's. It's an exciting time to be a football fan in Dallas. Like most people are predicting, both nationally and locally, I've got the Cowboys winning the NFC East. I'm going to say they'll finish with a record of 14-2 and I'm still not sure who those 2 losses will be. It's extremely tough, almost impossible to go unbeaten through 16 games so I'll predict losses at the Giants and at home against Seattle. The NFC Championship game will be played at Texas Stadium against the Saints. The Cowboys will be firing on all cylinders and win this game going away. For the first time since 1996 the Cowboys will be playing in the Super Bowl. All this sounds great huh? But unfortunately for the Cowboys, the Patriots finish the season 15-1 and use last year's Super Bowl loss to the Giants as motivation to defeat Dallas in the Super Bowl.
Josh Roe, Sports Talk host:
Prediction: 11-5 record, 1st in the NFC East, lose in the NFC Championship Game.
Why: It's been a long time since the Cowboys won one playoff game much less some playoff games. The NFL is a "show me" league. What they have shown us the last couple of years is that they are very good until December. After that we haven't seen much. I recognize that they are the most talented team in the NFC, but it's hard to look forward to a Super Bowl run until we see the Cowboys win after November.
Josh Harvey, Sports Talk producer:
Prediction: 13-3, 1st in the NFC East, lose in the NFC Championship
Why: Dallas is closer then ever to getting back to the Super Bowl, but Romo is not quite good enough to beat the better defenses in the NFC. The Giants go in to the season as the Super Bowl Champions, but still have the underdog tag attached. Look for the Giants to wreck Jerry Jones dream season and play the New England Patriots in back to back Super Bowls. Now let us know what you think!








