The Cowboys are contenders. Time to put some respect on Mike McCarthy’s name

Mike McCarthy has long been cast as bozo and a child of privilege. But the Dallas coach has the Cowboys on course for their first Super Bowl appearance in nearly three decades

Gather the animals two-by-two, because it's really, actually happening: The Dallas Cowboys have their best shot at winning a Super Bowl since Dez Caught It.

The team's dismantling of the Eagles last week leaves them in a tier of two in the NFC: it's the Cowboys, Niners and then a drop to the Eagles and Lions. If Dallas can secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, they should enter the postseason as the favorites to come out of the NFC, despite their thorny record v the Niners.

Buffalo Bills: 14.9%, 28th

Kansas City Chiefs: 14.9%, 27th

Philadelphia Eagles: 13.9%, 23rd

Miami Dolphins: 13.7%, 22nd

Baltimore Ravens: 10%, 14th

San Francisco 49ers: 8.5%, 6th

Dallas Cowboys: 7.6%, 3rd