If the defense continues to overperform, I really don't see any team stopping us. The O-line is better than the 2014 version, Zeke is getting better every week, and we have two legit QBs. This team is deep. Only player on the team who is really irreplaceable is Sean Lee just because we have awful depth at LB. I don't see any defense in the league stopping us. Only teams that are really a threat are teams with a good enough offense to outscore us. The teams I see giving us the biggest challenges are New England, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Arizona.
I think the only way a team is going to shut down the Dallas offense is if they have a good defense and the Cowboys offense for one reason or another has an off day (which does happen to every team from time-to-time). If the run game is in sync and the QB (whoever it is) is converting the throws on 3rd down... I don't see anyone (Vikes, Eagles, Steelers, anyone) stopping the offense from moving the ball. That whole side of the ball for Dallas is just dominant.
Once the offense is in the red zone, things condense down and it becomes more difficult but the offense has been converting those chances into points pretty well this season. If they keep that up, then man. They're gonna be hard to stop.
The defense is another story, although they have been playing pretty well and the pressure the Dallas offense puts on opposing offenses to keep up has been manifesting itself in more turnovers for the defense. If they keep getting the turnovers and continue to play well in the red zone (read: good scoring defense) then... well, I mean, who is going to stop this team?
As far as the teams that concern me, I'd say you have a pretty good list there although I don't necessarily agree with Pittsburgh (their defense is too weak).
I would add Seattle just because they're resilient as hell and have a good to very good defense. Just one off day for the Cowboys offense and they are capable of putting Dallas away.
Arizona and the Vikings worry me for the same reasons although the Minnesota offense is so bad that I almost think Dallas could have a bit of an off day and still win that game.
Atlanta, because they have such a potent offense and the Dallas defense isn't the strong point of the team, worries me. I still think Dallas is better equipped to handle that offense this year because the secondary is pretty legit with Jones becoming very good at FS, Scandrick coming back and Brown being the revelation that he is (Note: he is really good). Those three along with Claiborne, Carr, and Church make up a pretty damn good coverage unit. They are playing really, really good football. Those guys are getting very difficult to throw on.
New England is such a cerebral team with such great coaching and great QB'ing that I feel like they would always be a threat to beat Dallas. Their offense could take advantage of the defense's shortcomings and Belichick would find a way to make life difficult on Dak if he is the one playing, and Romo too although not as easily.
Still, with the Patriots (and really, all of these teams) that violent, bludgeoning run game can easily tip the scales in favor of the Cowboys. It is just so hard to stop and like I mentioned already in this thread, so many resources have to be allocated to stop Zeke, that it inherently puts the defense in a really bad position.
How deep of a run this team goes on this year, I don't know... however, what I do know is that Dallas is going to be a nightmare for any team to stop because they're playing smart football, they're playing and executing like a well coached team, the chemistry of the team is off the charts good, they're physical up and down the roster, and EZE is only getting better and better each week.
Been quite a while since I've felt this way - but the rest of the NFL can bring it because Dallas can beat anyone.
