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Terrell Owens needs just two more TDs to move into second place on the all-time list behind Jerry Rice.

EXPERTS' PICKS

The Cowboys finished first in the NFC East last season with a 13-3 record. For NFC East coverage, visit Matt Mosley's NFC East blog | Discuss Cowboys | MAG Preview

ANALYST	PREDICTION
Jeffri Chadiha ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1   They've got 13 Pro Bowl players back from a team that won 13 games in 2007. Anything short of the Super Bowl will be devastating.
John Clayton ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  On paper, it's impossible not to rank the Cowboys as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They have 13 Pro Bowl starters and a QB, Tony Romo, who dates Jessica Simpson. But the Cowboys need to win a playoff game to gain some legitimacy.
Tim Graham ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  If Wade Phillips can't win at least one playoff game, he'll lose his job to offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. In fact, it might be Super Bowl or bust. But the Cowboys have all the tools to do it.
Jeremy Green Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 1  The Cowboys, on paper, are the best team in the NFC, but they have issues on and off the field. On the field, they still need to find a No. 2 WR. Off the field, the pressure is mounting on coach Wade Phillips, who will likely lose his job to offensive coordinator Jason Garrett should the Cowboys falter.
Paul Kuharsky ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  A very good team that will come up short of its hype. Wade Phillips' status and Pacman Jones' inevitable trouble will be enough to sidetrack the Cowboys at some crucial point.
Matt Mosley ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  Many have suggested that the Cowboys should head to Tampa now and just wait on everyone to arrive. But you have to win a playoff game before you can talk Super Bowl.
Mike Sando ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  High expectations and recent playoff failures turn up the pressure on Tony Romo and the Cowboys. The regular-season record doesn't matter as much this season. It's all about the postseason for Dallas.
Kevin Seifert ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  The Cowboys are still the cream of this division, but it would be nice if quarterback Tony Romo starts winning some playoff games. He won't have Terrell Owens forever. Owens turns 35 in December.
James Walker ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  It's Super Bowl or bust for the Dallas Cowboys. Coming off a 13-win season and with a roster that includes 13 Pro Bowlers, simply making the playoffs is no longer good enough.
Seth Wickersham ESPN The Magazine	DIVISION FINISH: 2  Dallas is loaded. Almost too loaded. So loaded that Wade Phillips has to deliver a Super Bowl -- or else.
Bill Williamson ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 1  The Cowboys are by far the most talented team in the NFC. As we learned last year, that doesn't necessarily mean anything. But this team goes into the season with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
Matt Williamson Scouts Inc.	DIVISION FINISH: 1  This team is loaded. The secondary now has more good players than it knows what to do with and the defense as a whole will be among the league's best. As long as Terrell Owens stays healthy, Dallas will be among the best teams in the NFL. A brutal division could hinder the Cowboys' chances at a first-round bye, but they are still my pick to win it all.
Pat Yasinskas ESPN.com	DIVISION FINISH: 3  Yeah, Dallas has a ton of talent and, on paper, should be the division champion. But there are too many egos for one roster and this whole thing could blow up in a hurry if the Cowboys don't start off well.
	CONSENSUS DIVISION FINISH: 1 | NFL standings

BEST OF THE COWBOYS

Best special teams player: Safety Patrick Watkins took over this title once Keith Davis left for the Miami Dolphins. Watkins replaces Davis at the all-important gunner position and he's rangy enough to slip off blockers and make plays. Watch how he's always in perfect position on kickoffs.

Most unheralded: Nose tackle Jay Ratliff has quietly become one of the most valuable players on the defense. He has the versatility to move outside and play defensive end. Of all the late-round picks that Bill Parcells hit on in Dallas, he's probably proudest of Ratliff.

Best backup offensive lineman: You might not think this is an important category until Andre Gurode or Leonard Davis goes down. Cory Procter receives the honor because he can play either guard spot and center. No one notices him, but he's actually a steady player and a great guy in the locker room.

Best breakout potential: After observing Felix Jones for a week of camp and watching him in the preseason, it's evident that he has great quickness and speed. What separates him from other backs, though, is his excellent vision.

-- Matt Mosley, ESPN.com

SCOUTS INC.'S FAB FIVE

Scouts Inc. has evaluated and graded more than 2,400 NFL players heading into the 2008 season, giving Insiders a leg up on the competition with exclusive grades, alerts and scouting reports.
Top five players on the roster	ANALYSIS
1. Terrell Owens Wide receiver 6-3 | 224	(Grade 93) Owens is a very good athlete with a great combination of size, strength and speed. He has good awareness for the down markers to move the chains. Plus, he has good speed to finish if he catches the ball in space.
2. DeMarcus Ware Linebacker 6-4 | 257	(92) Ware is very productive as a pass-rusher and run player with the ability to drop into coverage. He can convert speed to power quickly with good arm extension and low pad level to create a push off the edge.
3. Jason Witten Tight end 6-5 | 265	(87) Witten is a good overall athlete who has very good hands and runs good routes. He also has functional strength as a blocker. He does a good job getting into routes quickly and is an alert player who is quick to adjust.
5. Terence Newman Cornerback 5-11 | 195	(84) Newman is a very good athlete with excellent speed and body control. He is a versatile player who can also cover slot receivers or return punts. He shows a good burst in transition with the ability to close hard.
5. Leonard Davis Guard 6-6 | 366	(84) In the run game, Davis has good strength and power to create movement on his own. He is initially quick for his size with the ability to sustain and finish. He is a powerful player who can anchor quickly.
Player grading scale: Elite (90-100), outstanding (80-89), solid starter (75-79), good starter (70-74)

SCOUTS INC.'S ANALYSIS

Best play option QB Tony Romo's mobility makes the Cowboys' offense even more dangerous. Here's how Dallas takes advantage of that skill. More best plays

Strengths

Offensive line: The O-line could rank among the league's best. It's a big, physical group that features three very good starters in LT Flozell Adams, C Andre Gurode and RG Leonard Davis. They have the size and nasty disposition to create movement in the run game and enough athleticism to hold up in pass protection. LG Kyle Kosier and RT Marc Colombo are adequate starters.

Secondary: The depth of the defensive backfield was a hot topic in the offseason, and rightfully so. It will be interesting to see how coordinator Brian Stewart uses the group's strengths and versatility to match up with opponents. Dallas has the talent to use more man-to-man coverage in 2008, and Stewart should feel free to send extra men on the blitz and rely on his defensive backs' recovery skills to disguise coverages.

Front seven versatility: The addition of LB Zach Thomas further bolsters an already talented group. Thomas' instincts and quick reactions should nicely complement the skills of ILB Bradie James. With their pass-rushing skills and lateral quickness, OLBs DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Greg Ellis can create a lot of havoc off the edge. DEs Marcus Spears and Chris Canty and NTs Jay Ratliff and Tank Johnson use their hands well to stack blocks and play stout inside.

Weaknesses

WR depth: Someone must fill the void opposite WR Terrell Owens. WR Patrick Crayton made plays when called upon last season, but an injury could create a major strain at the position. When your best receiver (T.O.) is 34 and keyed on by opponents every week, trouble is never far away.

Special teams coverage units: The Cowboys have placed a renewed emphasis on covering punts and kicks, an area that could use some improvement (Dallas ranked 20th in kickoff coverage and 29th in punt coverage in 2007). The team's depth at several positions could make that goal achievable. Speed and youth at cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver can translate into better downfield coverage for K Nick Folk and P Mat McBriar, but the coaching staff must stay committed to stressing the importance of special teams.

Offensive tackle depth: Dallas has few glaring weaknesses, so it's time to nitpick. The team is set at offensive tackle, but things could get ugly if anything should happen to Flozell Adams or Marc Colombo. The backups lack starting experience, and none of them seems to possess the combination of size and athleticism it would take to protect QB Tony Romo's blind side.

-- Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles.