Cowboys can beat the big, bad Patriots

by Tim MacMahon

Noted Cowboy hater Troy Aikman even said so!!!

"I'm amazed really when I hear people say that New England blew the Cowboys out," Aikman said at Valley Ranch today. "I know what the final score was. I realize all that. It was a seven-point game in the fourth quarter. A different play here, and a different play there, it’s a different outcome.

"And I understand that what happened, happened. I get all of that. ... Don't get me wrong -- I think the Patriots are the best team in football. But if they played 10 times, I don't think the Patriots win all 10. I think (the Cowboys) win three or four. I don't think they win five. But if they get New England on one of those three or four days, it's anyone's game."

My prediction: The Cowboys won't get a chance. Strange as it sounds, the Colts are better built for cold-weather playoff games than the Patriots. New England's lack of a running game will catch up to the Pats when the Colts come to town for the AFC Championship Game.

And, of course, the Cowboys proved they could beat the Colts last season.