The era of the "Big Tuna," Bill Parcells, is over, and America's Team is better off for it. After dismantling the Chicago Bears decisively (34-10) this past week, the Dallas Cowboys are sitting pretty on top of the NFC this year. Gone is the team that struggled during the latter part of last season, limping home with a 10-6 record, and an early exit in the playoffs. Under new Head Coach Wade Phillips, and up and coming Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett, Dallas is poised to make a run at a Super Bowl title this season, and here are a few reasons why.

Tony Romo:
Romo was the darling of the early part of the 2006 season before his star lost a little bit of glitter after a few late season loses, and an infamous fumbled snap that cost Dallas the game in the first round of the playoffs. This year Romo seems to have shaken off the memory of that painful loss, and is on his way to enjoying a fabulous season. Dallas has not had the luxury of such a highly mobile and effective passer since the heydays of Hall of Famer Roger Staubach. After three games, Romo's QB rating stands at an unheard of 111.9, and he is averaging over 285 yards passing per game. What's more, Tony has thrown for 8 touchdowns while having been picked off only twice this season. The mobile QB has also only suffered a total of 5 sacks, and his poised in the pocket goes a long ways towards showing that he has matured as the Cowboy's quarterback.

Terrell Owens:
Some call Owens a cancer; I call him the best receiver in football. This year Owens seems a lot more relaxed, and comes ready to play each game. The results show. The colorful Owens is averaging over 20 yards a catch and has 3 touchdowns through the first three games. Against the highly rated Bears defense, Terrell caught eight passes for over 150 yards, almost single handedly leading the Cowboy's second half surge. Winning, and winning big, seems to bring out the best of this enigmatic competitor. Look for Terrell to continue having one of his best seasons ever.

Marion Barber III:
Yes, the Cowboy's running games employees a tandem of running backs. But of the two runners, Marion Barber is becoming the go to guy. Barber who scored 16 times last year, has scored 4 touchdowns in the past two games, and had a 100 yard rushing day against the tough Bear's defense. While Julius Jones in an accomplished back who had a 100 yard performance in last year's playoff, look for Barber to continue to be the force behind the Cowboy's ground game.

Jason Garrett:
This former Cowboy back-up quarterback, and Princeton grad, is one of the main reasons the Dallas offense has been clicking on all cylinders. Garrett's masterful calling of the offense has led the Cowboys to 116 points over the first three games of 2007, the most points in the NFL this season. Garrett will some day make a great NFL Head Coach, but for now, he will help the Cowboys put up points as the team's Offensive Coordinator.

Learn more about this author, Rolando Cruz.
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