Dan Pompei

For the Dallas Cowboys, there is the Super Bowl.

Or there is failure.

They already have had dominant regular seasons. Their 13-3 regular-season record last year gave them home-field advantage for the playoffs, but they never had a chance to capitalize on it after the New York Giants knocked them out in the divisional playoff round.

They already have had individual successes. Last season, they had an NFL-record 13 players selected for the Pro Bowl. The most players any team had before was 11.

What they haven't had is team success when it counts. The last time the Cowboys won a playoff game, Tony Romo was a high-school sophomore. And speaking of Romo, his record in the months of December and January is 4-7.

Aside from his dalliances with starlets, Romo is remembered by many as the guy who fumbled the snap on a field-goal attempt that could have won the game for the Cowboys in the 2006 playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks. And the guy who threw a fourth-down interception against the Giants with less than a minute remaining in the playoffs last year.

And his coach, Wade Phillips, is the not-so-proud owner of an 0-4 record in the postseason. Phillips may or may not be looking over his shoulder this year, but almost everyone else is.

In the offseason, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sweet-talked Jason Garrett into staying on as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator rather than become head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. The assumption by many, right or wrong, is that Garrett is the Cowboys' head coach in waiting. All it will take for Jones to pull the trigger, they figure, is a little failure.

Special feature Preseason All-NFL Team A look at the top players at each position heading into 2008. NBCSports.com

So the Cowboys have much to prove.

Adding to the pressure is the fact they have a new, $1 billion stadium opening in 2009, and Jones has many luxury boxes and personal seat licenses to sell. If the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, there will be a waiting list for tickets. If they flop in the playoffs, some fans might not be willing to cough up what are expected to be some of the highest prices ever for NFL seating.

The team made some bold moves in the offseason, trading for problem-child cornerback Adam Jones and trying to revive the career of proud Zach Thomas. They also added pizzazz to their offense in the form of first-round running back Felix Jones.

NFL 2008: Season preview Curran: Eagles will soar to Super Bowl title Bold predictions for all 32 teams Curran: Don't expect repeat feat from Giants   Mad Dog: Dallas NFC's best  |  Vote Novacek's picks for Week 1 winners   Video: Chargers will reach Super Bowl XLIII Pats still explosive  |  Rams, Bills may surprise Curran: Winning mix? Depth and special stars THE NFL'S COACHING EVOLUTION No experience necessary for coaching hires Holmgren, Dungy unsure what 'future holds' Coaching in NFL isn't what it used to be Images: Coach's game faces  |  Hotseat Special feature: Ranking the NFL's coaches

There is no reason why the Cowboys should not be among the elite teams in the NFL this year.

They have a dynamic, playmaking quarterback who is one of the five best QBs in the NFL. They have one of the most difficult wide receivers in the NFL to cover and tackle (and possibly coach) in Terrell Owens. They have a tough, bruising running back who defines their offense in Marion Barber. They have one of the league's premier tight ends in Jason Witten. Their offensive line is steady and dependable.

On defense, the Cowboys can pressure the quarterback with outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis, both Pro Bowl players. Defensive ends Marcus Spears and Chris Henry are perfect fits for the Cowboys' style of play. The cornerback position has fine depth with Adam Jones and first-round pick Mike Jenkins backing up starters Terence Newman and Anthony Henry.

The depth, in fact, ranges from pretty good to excellent in most spots. Their offensive design and playcalling is upper echelon. Their 3-4 scheme on defense can be very effective in part because the Cowboys are one of only two NFC teams running the 3-4.

If it's excuses the Cowboys are looking for, there really aren't any. This team is ready to roll. And it will.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

NFC South cements spot as top division Burress turns himself in, will plead not guilty Vikings beat Bears to move atop NFC North Defense ensures Bucs stays atop NFC South Williams' 4th TD propels Panthers past Packers Falcons put Chargers' playoff hopes on brink Cutler, Broncos (7-5) surge past Jets Pats may have dropped shot at playoffs Steelers' top-ranked defense stifles Patriots   Roundtable: Plaxico Burress fiasco   NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: