Dallas Cowboys Seating Chart

The Dallas Cowboys have faced a lot of criticism regarding their December woes in recent years under head coach Wade Phillips, but the team finally put it all to rest this year.

The Cowboys turned a very challenging December slate into 3-1 run into the postseason, which included a shutout of the Philadelphia Eagles in the season finale to clinch the NFC East title. It has eased some of the scrutiny of Phillips and his job security, but not all of it. Rumors have it that the head coach will likely have to win at least one playoff game if he is to keep his job next season.

The good news is that the Cowboys have already beaten their first round opponent, the Eagles, in both meetings this season. The win in the season finale was decisive, and they seem to know how to slow down Philadelphia's explosive offense. The bad news is that it is very difficult to beat a team three times in one season, especially when it happens to be a bitter division rival.

The key to beating the Eagles is pretty simple: Get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and don't give up big plays to their explosive wideouts. The Eagles have a hard time putting together 10-play, 80 yard drives, so force them to march slowly down the field.

The reason for Dallas' success in December this year is pretty simple: Tony Romo has played well, they have run the ball effectively and the defensive pass rush has overwhelmed opposing offensive lines.

Romo, like Phillips, has been widely criticized for his previous December and postseason woes. It will be interesting to see if he can get past some of his previous poor playoff performances and help his head coach keep his job. The quarterback has definitely played better this year without wide receiver Terrell Owens constantly in is ear demanding the ball.

Wide receiver Miles Austin has really broken out as a playmaker while Roy Williams has slowly progressed and become a solid red zone target.

The Cowboys have used a running back by committee approach, as Marion Barber, Tashard Choice and Felix Jones have all seen their share of carries. Barber is the more physical runner while Jones is the game-breaker. Choice is a combination of the two.

The Cowboys have the talent on both sides of the ball to make a deep playoff run in the wide open NFC. If they can continue to play as well as they have in the month of December, a run to the Super Bowl could be in the cards.