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Midseason Boom or Bust: Time to trust the Cowboys

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Adam Schein

Adam Schein hosts the "Sirius Blitz" on Sirius NFL Radio from 11-3 ET. He also co-hosts "Loudmouths" on Sports Net New York every weeknight at 6 ET. He is a weekly columnist, files weekly video reports and makes NFL picks "video style" for FOXSports.com.

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Updated Nov 12, 2009 2:43 PM ET
     
 
We break out the NFL midseason crystal ball for the second half, boom or bust style, for our SCHEIN 9 ...

1. Trust the Cowboys.

Boom!!! I know it makes you nervous, but this is a team you can finally believe in. Something wonderful actually happened last week. Roy Williams was foolishly speaking out of turn. A year ago, it would've been a "he said, he said" soap opera. Tony Romo brilliantly opted to agree with Williams, defused the bomb, and went out and beat the Eagles on the road. Whoa. That's a huge turn of events. Romo is in an excellent groove. In the last four weeks, Romo has thrown nine touchdowns against just one pick, which has equaled four straight wins. And even the biggest Romo critics must acknowledge that winning in Philly counts as a "big win." Jason Garrett has done a nice job getting all three running backs involved while keeping Marion Barber fresh. Barber's availability is paramount to a strong second half. And I think Jason Witten will finally get it together. Remember in the offseason when I did a video hit here on FOXSports.com giving Jerry Jones credit for making this both Tony Romo's and Wade Phillips' team? Jerry deserves praise. And Phillips, who was supposed to be moved out after the season, has seized the opportunity to put his stamp on the Cowboys. Phillips is running the now-strong Dallas D. Phillips brought in his own guys, Igor Olshansky and most especially Keith Brooking, who played for him at prior stops. Brooking is a tackling machine and gives the team leadership and accountability it lacked a year ago. Mike Jenkins has vastly improved. Jay Ratliff is a stud tackle. DeMarcus Ware will be even more dominant in the second half of the season. Even if the Cowboys stumble in Green Bay this weekend, they finally have the mentality to bounce back. The new mindset and the schedule (including the Skins twice and the Raiders) will ensure they don't choke away the season this time around.

2. The Giants are done.

If you read the papers in New York this week, the epitaph has already been written. And without question, with the Giants sputtering to 5-4 after starting 5-0, things are bleak and the season is on the brink. But this is a bust. Sure, the redzone offense is weak. The pass rush is inconsistent. Both coordinators, Kevin Gilbride and Bill Sheridan, have rightly come under fire. Sheridan is in over his head. There have been issues on special teams. Even the strong offensive line has shown cracks. However, we've seen the upside of the Giants. And for the experts who cite the "tough" schedule, how difficult is it really? Atlanta has struggled on the road in Dallas and New Orleans, and Brandon Jacobs can run on the Atlanta defense. Denver has come back down to earth. And the games against Philly and Dallas are in New York. The road will be difficult — but it's far from impossible. The toughest opponent for the Giants is the Giants. If they stop beating themselves, the Giants will make the playoffs, regardless of what the schedule says. And I predict that will happen.

3. The Vikings are the Super Bowl favorites in the NFC.

Bust. Minnesota has proven to be strong in every phase. But I'm rolling with the undefeated Saints. The Saints are just a bit better at quarterback, receiver and in the defensive backfield. And the Saints defense makes more plays than Minnesota. I think the Saints will get the No. 1 seed and that will be a determining factor with the great Saints fans.

4. The Colts are the Super Bowl favorites in the AFC.

This is also a bust. Indianapolis has been incredible during its 8-0 start. But I think the Colts will lose against New England, in Houston, and perhaps in Baltimore. At some point, the injuries to Bob Sanders, Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden will catch up. And Indy's inability to run consistently will also bite them. I think the Patriots are the Super Bowl favorite. Tom Brady is back to being Tom Brady, and the Patriots are finally getting a lot out of their defense and run game. And without question you must factor in the Steelers, who are back to making splash plays on defense.

5. The Cardinals are who we thought they were.

I always love channeling my inner Denny Green. And you had to love Ken Whisenhunt doing the same after the win against the Bears. The Cardinals are better than they were at any point last regular season, and thus, it's a boom. In the preseason, I picked Arizona to win 11 games and be a factor for the Super Bowl. Sure, the loss at home to Carolina was between vintage and maddening — but the Cards have won four of the last five, including road wins against the Giants and the Bears. Kurt Warner is still a great player. Larry Fitzgerald remains the ultimate weapon. And the Cards are committed to getting something out of their running attack. But the most important reason the Cardinals are in the conversation is because of their defense. Bill Davis has done an unreal job with the defense, especially when it come to stopping the run. While it can be a risky proposition playing the win-loss game with the Cardinals, I think they get to 11 wins and run away with the division.

6. Chicago is making a run.

This is a bust. Take a glance at the schedule. I think this inconsistent Bears team will go 3-5 in the second half. 4-4 is the ultimate upside. There are too many issues on defense and on the offensive line that cannot be corrected. Call it a season of underachievement in Chicago.

7. Pittsburgh's offensive line is a strength.

Mike Tomlin laughed when I asked him an opinionated question on Sirius NFL Radio about his offensive line, asking me to keep the strong play under the radar. Sorry Mike. The secret is out. It's a boom. Both Justin Hartwig and Chris Kemoeatu have told us recently that they get fueled by criticism. Again, sorry. Look at the quality of play the last two weeks against strong defenses — Minnesota and Denver. The push up front against the Broncos was tremendous. Rashard Mendenhall averaged seven yards per carry. The number of sacks the Steelers line gives up is always inflated by Ben Roethlisberger holding the ball and making plays with his legs. Sorry guys. I'm spreading the word.

8. Jacksonville emerges as the surprise playoff team.

This is a bust. In fact, how's this? Tennessee finishes with a better record than the Jags. I still hold out the belief that the Ravens make a run. There is way too much talent and coaching. And if the Jets could ever beat the teams they are supposed to beat, New York finishes at 9-7 as I predicted in the preseason. Nine wins for the Ravens or Jets won't be enough with San Diego, Denver, Houston and Cincy (sorry Bengals fans, but I am giving Pittsburgh the division and Cincy the wild card) ahead in the race. I still believe the Texans emerge as that surprise team.

9. The Lions will be on the clock with the No. 1 pick.

With all the bad teams, I need a better crystal ball. But I am saying bust, even though the Lions have looked totally inept since they beat Washington. Cleveland and Oakland can't complete a forward pass and the organizations are in disarray. But my call is that Tampa doesn't win again and Raheem Morris is on the clock. It's never too early to talk draft! For a daily Boom or Bust on New York Sports, watch Schein and Chris Carlin weeknights at 6est on SNY (DIRECT-TV 639). Listen to Schein and Rich Gannon on the Sirius Blitz from 10a-1p est. on Sirius NFL Radio Channel 124. On NFL Sundays, join Schein for the Sirius NFL Tailgate show from 9-noon est. and then immediately after every Jets game on SNY for Jets Postgame Live. Follow Schein on twitter at twitter.com/AdamSchein
Tagged: DeMarcus Ware, Igor Olshansky, Justin Hartwig, Bears, Bengals, Chris Kemoeatu, Cowboys, Broncos, Lions, Tony Romo, Colts, Kelvin Hayden, Vikings, Bob Sanders, Patriots, Saints, Giants, Jets, Eagles, Kurt Warner, Marlin Jackson, Ravens, Cardinals, Steelers, Texans, Jason Witten, Roy Williams, Tom Brady, Marion Barber, Brandon Jacobs, Larry Fitzgerald, Jay Ratliff, Rashard Mendenhall, Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Jenkins, Keith Brooking

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