The Dallas Cowboys are getting more and more into their stride. On Sunday, the next yardstick awaits with the New England Patriots. Is America’s Team ready for the big game?

Munich – Michael Schumacher changes from Benetton to Ferrari, Germany becomes European football champion and Timo Werner sees the light of day. Helmut Kohl is German Chancellor, Bill Clinton is re-elected President of the USA.

And videos of the hits Macarena and Coco Jambo are played up and down on the music channels VIVA and MTV.

Yes, it has been exactly as long as it sounds since the Dallas Cowboys last won the Super Bowl.

Almost 26 years. An eternity.

Sad record

On January 28, 1996, America’s Team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 – and has not reached the Grand Final, or the NFC Championship Game since. The Divisional Playoffs have been the ultimate, and only six times since 1996.

It’s no surprise that owner Jerry Jones is more and more elated with each game this season.

Jerry Jones loves this stuff pic.twitter.com/r5B1t78X4h

– Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 10, 2021

He has celebrated three Super Bowl victories with his Cowboys since taking over, but has seen far more sobering seasons than successful ones.

Cowboys fans may be smiling tiredly now, maybe laughing out loud, but yes: this year’s team may be able to end the drought.

Troy Aikman: “The makings of something special “

Or as Troy Aikman said, “Dallas has the makings of something special”. He should know, he is the quarterback legend under whose leadership the Cowboys celebrated the last three Super Bowl victories.

Clearly, the numbers don’t lie. Dallas is 4-1 after five days of play. A perfect start, which was last achieved in 2016. They won four in a row, the only loss was an unfortunate one in the opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“When you have a run like this, you think about the Super Bowl. That’s just the reality,” wide receiver Amari Cooper said ahead of the visiting Game 6 matchup with the New England Patriots, according to the Associated Press. “The closer you get to it, the more you want it and the more you worry about the little things. “

Fueled by euphoria and optimism are the offense around quarterback Dak Prescott. Dak is back, is the motto, as the Cowboys lead the NFL in yards per game (439.6) and are second in points per game (34.0).

Strong Offense Numbers

The rushing duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard combine for 777 yards, while in the air receivers Cooper and CeeDee Lamb and tight end Dalton Schultz provide a combined 946 yards. The 44-20 win over the New York Giants was the fourth straight game with more than 150 yards rushing. An unstoppable running game, a strong passing game – a dangerous mix.

In home games against the Eagles, Panthers and Giants, the Cowboys showed impressive dominance in a combined 121-69. Facing a chronically weak NFC East and pedestrian Eagles (2-3), a flagging Washington football team (2-3) and banged-up Giants (1-4), a home game in the Wild Card Round seems like a mere formality.

But what about the big shot? Are euphoria and optimism justified?

At least they are underpinned by a more complete Cowboys team, because the defence has improved in many categories under new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. The head of the defence is Trevon Diggs, for many a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.

Add to that rookie Micah Parsons, a reliable Swiss Army knife. He has played both linebacker and defensive end this season and has been consistently dominant. Osa Odighizuwa also proved to be a lucky find in the draft, and experienced players such as Damontae Kazee and Malik Hooker were also brought in.

It’s Quinn’s job to bring the quality together. And he’s doing a better and better job of it.

Not yet perfect

The overall body of work is still some way from perfect, after all, many numbers are only average, like the 23.4 points allowed per game. The 390 yards allowed per game are even just below average. For that, the Cowboys are always good for a big play, with 12 forced turnovers second-best in the league.

“I think they play with great rhythm, great energy, they play fast and they play hard,” vice president Stephen Jones said. “And we all know that some of those yards we give up are late in the game. You have to be happy with the guys we have out there. But we’re also excited about the guys we’re going to get back, and when it comes down to it in this league, you need all of them.” The Cowboys, for example, are currently without defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (toe), so all the pieces of the puzzle aren’t together yet.

But for that, the confidence is huge. “I think that shows the composure and confidence that our defence has at the moment. The guy to our left or right or behind us is going to be there if something doesn’t work out,” linebacker Leighton Vander Esch said. Adds Cooper: “It’s about us and our aspirations, who we want to be and where we want to go.”

To the Super Bowl, of course. After all, it’s been ages since the last one.

Andreas Reiners