IRVING – The Cowboys are in the tournament. That much we know. What we don't know is where the Cowboys will be seeded.
Dallas can clinch the NFC East with a win over Philadelphia on Monday and move one step closer to a possible No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. If the Cowboys lose, their playoff path becomes a bit more jumbled.
The Cowboys have won five of their last six games to build momentum heading into the postseason. With no clear-cut favorite in the unpredictable NFC, the Cowboys could make a run to Miami for Super Bowl XLI – or be bounced in their first playoff game.
But the Cowboys appear – at least statistically – to have as good a chance as any to represent the NFC. Some examples:
OFFENSE
NFL ranks
Total: 4th; Run: 10th; Pass: 4th
The Cowboys are the only team in the league to have scored at least 17 points in every game this season, and they have shown the ability to play a variety of styles.
They can pound the ball with Julius Jones (1,019 yards) and Marion Barber (13 touchdowns) behind an offensive line that has improved as the season has worn on. They can throw the ball as well as any team in the league with Tony Romo connecting with Terrell Owens (1,040 yards), Terry Glenn (921) and Jason Witten (642).
That versatility makes it difficult for opposing defenses to prepare.
"I think we have to have some kind of balance," coach Bill Parcells said, "and eventually we can get to what we have to do."
Barber, who has 636 rushing yards, can be the biggest difference-maker on offense. He can do what O.J. Anderson did for Parcells with the New York Giants and what Curtis Martin did for New England and the Jets.
"Whenever I've had good teams, I've had a closer," Parcells said. "I think it's important to have one."
In Barber, he has one.
DEFENSE
NFL ranks
Total: 11th; Run: 7th, Pass: 20th
What was once considered the strength of the team has become the biggest question mark down the stretch. In the last three games, Dallas has allowed an average of 30 points, and Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Michael Vick have combined for 11 touchdown passes.
Parcells said the errors have been mostly mental, which gives him hope for a turnaround.
"If I was sweating it, what would I do about it, bemoan the fact for a while?" Parcells said. "OK, I will do that for you. But I have a game this week that I am trying to get ready for. I am trying to pay attention to that."
The Cowboys have allowed big plays all season. Dallas has allowed five pass plays of more than 50 yards and five runs of 20 or more yards. The lack of a consistent pass rush and poor downfield coverage has killed the Cowboys.
"We know we can't play like that and make a move in the playoffs," nose tackle Jason Ferguson said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Average starting position
Cowboys: 29.1; Opponent: 27.4
Points are at a premium in the playoffs, and the difference in winning and losing often can come down to special teams.
The Cowboys have a Pro Bowl punter in Mat McBriar, who has had eight of his last 10 punts downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Miles Austin leads the NFC with a 25.9-yard kickoff return average. Kicker Martin Gramatica has settled in after replacing Mike Vanderjagt.
"He's come in here in a difficult situation with a lot of pressure, with not much game experience here this year and been excellent in practice," Parcells said. "Excellent is the only way to describe it. He's missed two kicks since he's been here in practice."
E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com
NFC rankings for playoff teams (if the playoffs started today):
TOTAL OFFENSE
1. New Orleans
2. Philadelphia
3. Cowboys
7. N.Y. Giants
9. Chicago
12. Seattle
RUN OFFENSE
4. N.Y. Giants
5. Cowboys
6. Philadelphia
7. Chicago
9. Seattle
11. New Orleans
PASS OFFENSE
1. New Orleans
2. Philadelphia
3. Cowboys
9. N.Y. Giants
11. Chicago
12. Seattle
POINTS FOR
Chicago, 394
Cowboys, 387
New Orleans, 362
Philadelphia, 351
N.Y. Giants, 314
Seattle, 295
TOTAL DEFENSE
1. Chicago
4. Cowboys
5. New Orleans
7. Philadelphia
9. N.Y. Giants
6. Seattle
RUN DEFENSE
2. Cowboys 3. Chicago
5. N.Y. Giants
12. Seattle
14. New Orleans
15. Philadelphia
PASS DEFENSE
1. Chicago
2. New Orleans
5. Philadelphia
6. Seattle
8. Cowboys
13. N.Y. Giants
POINTS AGAINST
Chicago 208
New Orleans 284
Cowboys 288
Philadelphia 304
N.Y. Giants 304
Seattle 314
