INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Tight end Jason Witten has registered 940 yards or more receiving in five straight seasons and six of the last eight years. In 2011, he turned out a career-best 11.9 yards per catch and had 15 receptions of 20 or more yards. His numbers last season were diminished by the ailing wide receiving corps, but Witten still managed 79 receptions. It marked the fifth straight season he’s caught at least 75 balls. Touchdowns continue to be his biggest problem though as he’s scored five or less times in five of the past six seasons and has only eclipsed six TD’s once in his career.

SCHEDULE
They open up against the defending champs, the New York Giants, in the first of five nationally televised games. The bye week comes early (Week 5) so owners of Cowboys’ players will need to plan accordingly. The schedule’s most brutal stretch comes following the break with four of five games on the road at Baltimore, Carolina, Atlanta, and Philadelphia on tap and rematch at home with the Giants sandwiched in between.  Tough defenses loom in Weeks 14-15 with games at Cincinnati and at home vs. Pittsburgh followed by a Week 16 showdown with the Saints.

STUD
While he’s not a Tier 1 option as a fantasy QB Tony Romo is more than capable of carrying fantasy teams. After missing significant time in 2010 due to a broken collarbone Romo returned to start 16 games for the Cowboys in 2011 and broke the 4000-yard passing mark for the third time in his career and surpassed 30 TD passes for the second time as a pro. He finished particularly strong, throwing 24 touchdowns over the team’s final 11 games and only five interceptions. Romo is a great grab in Round 5 or Round 6 for owners that opt to not take a QB in the first few rounds.

DUD
After missing 16 games through his first four seasons, Felix Jones gave way to DeMarco Murray in 2011. Jones managed just one touchdown in 12 games last season and has made just nine trips to the end zone since breaking into the league in 2008. A season removed for having 233 touches for 1,250 total yards, Jones experienced a decline in both areas last year, finishing with 160 touches for 796 total yards. He’s still worth a look in the mid-to-late rounds as bench fodder and a great handcuff option for Murray owners.

SLEEPER
DeMarco Murray emerged from third on the depth chart to the starting running back for the Cowboys and was well on pace for 1,000 yards before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. He turned in an eye-popping performance against the lowly Rams’ defense, rushing 25 times for 253 yards and a touchdown and produced double-digit fantasy points in four of five outings during his run as the starter last year. Murray is a capable receiver out of the backfield which makes him even more valuable in PPR formats. Durability concerns keep from being a stellar fantasy RB1 option, but the upside is there for him to be a top producer that could slip into Round 3 or later on draft day.

NEW ADDITIONS
Jerry Jones had no problems shelling out the cash and taking some chances to improve a weak secondary this offseason. The Cowboys followed up the free agent signing free agent Brandon Carr by moving up in a trade with the Rams to draft Morris Claiborne with the sixth overall pick in April’s draft. Carr, a fifth round pick by Kansas City in 2008, is a diamond in the rough and a major upgrade. He’s a physical player that has the size to keep up in the NFC East. Claiborne promises to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Both players are viable IDP options and make the Cowboys ST/Defense a better fantasy commodity as well.

POSITION BATTLE
Though both Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are capable of putting up big numbers this season, the battle is one to see which players emerges as the Cowboys’ top wide receiver. Austin missed six games last year due to nagging hamstring issues which resulted into him yielding the worst numbers of his career. Bryant also battled the injury bug during his sophomore campaign of 2011, but he did prove to be a bit more consistent throughout the year. Entering his third season, Bryant figures to be on the rise and is poised for his first 1000-yard and double-digit TD season. Neither player is a great WR1 option, but both make great No. 2 fantasy wideout selections.

BENCH BUILDER
After scoring 11 touchdowns for Dallas last year Laurent Robinson fled for Jacksonville and a big payday via free agency. That leaves a big hole as the team’s WR3 spot is up for grabs. Entering training camp Andre Holmes is slated in the spot. He will need to hold off Kevin Ogletree, but if Holmes emerges he will see plenty of snaps in Dallas’ high-octane passing attack. He spent his rookie season on 2011 on the practice squad. Holmes will need to prove something during the preseason before he’ll warrant a late-round pick, but he could quickly become a hot commodity on the waiver wire if things continue to develop.

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The schedule for the 2012 NFL season was released by the league on Tuesday and there are several marquee matchups on the slate, including a Wednesday night opening matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Giants hosting their arch rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys as always are part of the Thanksgiving Day slate and this year the NFL has a stellar Turkey Day trifecta on the slate with Detroit hosting Houston, Dallas welcoming NFC East foes, the Redskins, and a nightcap between AFC East Rivals as the Pats and Jets square off.

Other schedule highlights have Peyton Manning and his new team, the Denver Broncos, will kick off the Sunday night football schedule, as they tangle with the Steelers, who hope to avenge their playoff loss from last season.

The Bengals will get three games in prime time, including the Monday Night opener at Baltimore to go along with a Thursday Night game at Philadelphia and a Sunday Night home matchup with the Steelers.

Here’s a look at the complete Cincinnati schedule:

BENGALS SCEHDULE (day, date, opponent, time)
Mon., Sept. 10, at Baltimore (ESPN), 7 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 16, CLEVELAND, 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 23, at Washington, 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 30, at Jacksonville, 4:05 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 7, MIAMI, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 14, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 21, PITTSBURGH (NBC), 8:20 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 28, — BYE —
Sun., Nov. 4, DENVER, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 11, N.Y. GIANTS, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 18, at Kansas City*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 25, OAKLAND*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 2, at San Diego*, 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 9, DALLAS*, 1 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 13, at Philadelphia (NFL Network), 8:20 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 23, at Pittsburgh*, 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 30, BALTIMORE*, 1 p.m.

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There are seven weeks down in the NFL season. It’s time to start looking at which teams are the biggest disappointments:

Dallas Cowboys (1-5) – The Super Bowl will be in Dallas this year, but the Cowboys won’t be in it. The team has looked terrible and struggled to find an identity. Now with Tony Romo (broken clavicle) out 6-8 weeks you can officially stick a fork in the Cowboys.

San Francisco 49ers (1-6) – Every expert on the web picked the 49ers to be to lock pick to win the lowly NFC West. San Fran has not delivered. They’ve already fired their offense coordinator and head coach Mike Singletary may be the next to go.

San Diego Chargers (2-5) – It appears as if getting rid of LaDainian Tomlinson was not a wise move. L.T. is lighting it up for the Jets and the Chargers are struggling to move the ball on the ground. The team may be getting top receiver Vincent Jackson back, but it is going to be too little, too late for the ‘Bolts.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) – In 2009, the Bengals ran the table inside the division and won the AFC North. However, the team has dropped eight of 11 games dating back to last season and is train wreck waiting to happen. Carson Palmer looks like a shell of his former self and the defense has managed just six sacks in six games.

Minnesota Vikings (2-4) – Brett Favre’s return to the Twin Cities has not been the honeymoon many were expecting. The veteran’s interception rate is double of last season and now he appears to be hobbled. Getting Randy Moss was a nice gesture, but time is running out for Minnesota to get back into the NFC playoff picture.

New Orleans Saints (4-3) – New Orleans is the only team with a winning record on the list. Still, the Super Bowl champs have looked far from super in 2010. The defense is not coming up with the big plays it did a year ago and Drew Brees has struggled with consistency due to injuries in the backfield and a bum knee.

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The Dallas Cowboys are surprisingly the first team to have their first-round pick put ink to paper and sign a contract. Dez Bryant signed a five year deal worth $11.5 million, with $8.5 million guaranteed, today. Bryant, selected No. 24 overall, wasn't expected to be signed by the start of camp, so the fact that he is has the Cowboys relieved.

The Cowboys moved up three spots in this year's draft to snag the former Oklahoma State wide receiver. Bryant was an All-American in 2008 when he had 87 catches for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns. He missed most of the 2009 season after lying to NCAA about his activities with former NFL wideout, Deion Sanders. Even with missing part of last season, the Cowboys had seen enough from his previous year to know that he has the ability to be an impact receiver in the NFL.

With the Bryant signing, the precedent has been set for the mid-to-late round picks in this year's draft when it comes to how contracts will be structured. The No. 1 overall pick is typically the first to sign a contract, usually doing so before the day of the actual draft. That was not the case this year as the St. Louis Rams have yet to sign their pick, quarterback Sam Bradford.

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Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones at his best...or not:

Just For Fun, NFL dallas cowboys, jerry jones

from Bengals.com...

The Bengals drew the first marquee date of the NFL season Wednesday when the NFL announced they are playing in the Aug. 8 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio against the Cowboys at 8 p.m. on NBC. It is the first appearance in the league’s traditional preseason kickoff game for the Bengals since they used it to start their run to the 1988 AFC title.

Both franchises are celebrating inductions that take place the day before at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Former Bengals head coach and long-time assistant Dick LeBeau takes his spot 32 years after he became eligible. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Emmitt Smith, the former Cowboys running back and NFL’s all-time leading rusher, celebrates his first-ballot election.

COMPLETE ARTICLE

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I broke down the Saints-Cardinals game already earlier this week. Here are the rest of my picks:

COLTS 23, RAVENS 17
I am not betting against Peyton Manning in this contest, though I do expect the Ravens to keep it close for most of the game. The Colts rarely make the turnovers and mistakes that Baltimore so often uses to their advantage. Playing at home will help off balance the three plus weeks of rust Indy has.

VIKINGS 23, COWBOYS 20
America's Team is as hot as any standing right now having won three straight games. They have done it by running the football and playing top level defense. Minnesota may have peaked a bit too early, but they still possess home field advantage, one of the greatest running backs in the league and oh yeah the Hall of Famer at quarterback. The Cowboys scare me as you just never know what your are going to get. I'll take my chances with the home team.

CHARGERS 27, JETS 16
The Chargers have won 13 straight games and will have more than enough offensively to put the pressure on the one-dimensional Jets. Don't expect Rex Ryan not to have something up his sleeve as I wouldn't be surprise to see the Jets keep it interesting for a half or so, but in the end San Diego will simply have to much.

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Few teams are as hot right now as the Dallas Cowboys and they have already beaten their NFC East foes, the Philadelphia Eagles, twice this season.

For the second straight week the Eagles fly to Texas to tangle with the Cowboys. A division title was on the line a week ago, but this time the stakes are much higher.

FOR EAGLES TO WIN: It needs to start up front. In their two losses to Dallas this season Donovan McNabb has been under consistent pressure, completing less than 55 percent of his passes.  Getting DeSean Jackson involved is critical. The explosive playmaker has been a non-factor in the first two meetings, catching just six balls for 75 yards in two games.  Philly will have to find a running game out of Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver. The trio only mustered 37 yards in Week 17’s loss. Slowing down linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer is a must.

FOR COWBOYS TO WIN: Dallas needs to keep doing what it has been doing. Few teams have looked as good over the last three games and quarterback Tony Romo is a big reason why. The Cowboys’ signal caller has limited his mistakes of late.  Since Week 10 he’s only turned it over three times (2 interceptions, 1 fumble).  Miles Austin will be counted on to produce despite the double coverage and Marion Barber needs to do enough to keep the Eagles’ blitz-heavy defense honest.  Tight end Jason Witten is a big key. If he puts up big numbers it will set up the aforementioned three players for success.

KEY INJURIES: No major injuries

WEATHER:  With an uncharacteristically chilly forecast expect the roof to be closed as the new Cowboys Stadium.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:  Can a team be beaten by the same team three times in one season? A look at recent NFL history suggests that it is the norm.  Since the NFL and AFL merged in 1970 teams with a chance to beat the same opponent three times in one season have a 12-7 record, including the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers, who swept the Baltimore Ravens in last season's AFC title game before topping the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. However, the Cowboys are for 0-2 in their previous chances.

WHAT VEGAS SAYS:  LVSC opened Dallas as a 4 ½-point favorite with a total of 45 ½. As of early Wednesday morning, most spots had the ‘Boys favored by four with the total adjusted to 45. Bettors can take Philadelphia to win outright for a plus-170 return (risk $100 to win $170).

FINAL TAKE:  It’s hard to believe less than a month ago we were wondering if Dallas would ever win a game in December and I was tabbing the Eagles as my pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  Now, the Cowboys look like they are finally living up to their hype. Still, Wade Phillips and Tony Romo’s track record in the postseason scares me. I am riding Philly’s Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb’s experience in what I believe will be the weekend’s most entertaining games.

MY PICK: Eagles win 27-24

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Before the trade deadline passed on Monday it appears as if the Cincinnati Bengals did make a run at improving their tight end depth.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen tweeted that Cincinnati made an offer to the Dallas Cowboys for Martellus Bennett, but the deal was turned down by the team.

Bennett turned some heads with an impressive training camp, but has not lived up to the hype. He has managed just four catches for 40 yards in five games.

Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones told the Dallas Morning News on Wednesday that the club had the opportunity to acquire a key player but turned it down. He declined to name the team or player, but called it "a very firm, significant offer for one of our young players."

Jones said while the Cowboys could have probably acquired the "now impact" player, he never engaged in an extended dialogue with the club.

With both Reggie Kelly (Achilles) and Ben Utecht (concussion) lost for the season with injuries during training camp and the slow development of rookie Chase Coffman, the Bengals have left with Daniel Coats as their starter. Key drops and fumbles from the position played a hand in the team's loss to Houston last week and have hindered the offense most of the year.

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Let's check out some of the headlines from around pro football...

REID NOT SAYING IF VICK WILL PLAY (ESPN.com)
The only certainty in the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback situation appears to be uncertainty -- and it doesn't end with whether Donovan McNabb will start on Sunday. Eagles coach Andy Reid knows McNabb or Kevin Kolb will start against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday -- McNabb if he's healthy enough to play, Kolb if McNabb can't go. But who's the backup?...MORE

OCHO CINCO USES TWITTER TO SETUP LEAP (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
On TV it looked like a random bit of luck that three orange-clad Cincinnati Bengals fans were conveniently in the front row of Lambeau Field on Sunday to catch enemy combatant Chad Ochocinco when he leaped into the stands. It turns out he put them there for that exact purpose...MORE

FORMER TITAN SUING TEAM (Nashville City Paper)
Former Tennessee Titans wide receiver David Givens has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the team, claiming the team allowed him to play with a knee condition that team officials knew could be career threatening...MORE

JONES REMAINS CONFIDENT IN ROMO (San Antonio Express-News)
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remains steadfastly committed to Tony Romo even after his meltdown in Sunday night's 33-31 loss to the New York Giants. “We have all the confidence in the world in Tony Romo,” Jones said Tuesday on his weekly radio show...MORE

TOMLIN HINTS AT CHANGE IN BACKFIELD (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
The Steelers have struggled to move the ball on the ground, but head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't appear to be concerned. He suggested in his press conference an increased workload for second-year running back Rashard Mendenhall. "He got an opportunity to play and he delivered, which is what we expected him to do and really what I think he expects to do. I think as we continue on he's going to get more of those opportunities and he better produce more of those plays."...MORE

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