AP

Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.

The Dallas Cowboys have spent the last two games showing that their offense is back and one of the best in the league. But it gets a lot harder this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the league's top ranked defense.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• Cowboys-Steelers game forecast
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys rookies become Santas
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice 12.4

Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said he could not know until Sunday if starting running back Marion Barber will play against the Steelers.

AP

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo during the team's Thanksgiving win.

The Dallas Cowboys will get a better idea Sunday what Tony Romo's return from a broken pinkie has done for their Super Bowl hopes.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones wore pajama pants to practice Wednesday.

The Dallas Cowboys seem to think it's more important to be rested than sharp going into Sunday's pivotal game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

Ben Roethlisberger sat out the final 20 minutes of the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice on Wednesday after his right knee slipped while he was throwing a pass.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

Several veteran Dallas Cowboys starters did not participate in practice Wednesday.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware scaks Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck Thursday.

The month of December has basically become for Dallas (8-4) a series of playoff games just to remain in contention for the real thing.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates after scoring Thursday.

The dress rehearsal against NFL lightweights is over. It's show time for the Dallas Cowboys.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware scaks Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck Thursday.

The seven sacks the Dallas Cowboys defense recorded Thanksgiving Day were the most by a Cowboys team in one game in 11 years.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware, bottom, lies on the ground injured as teammates check on him Thursday.

Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware and running back Marion Barber were not at practice Monday, the first time the Cowboys were back on the field since both were hurt Thanksgiving Day.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

Fittingly enough for a team that wears the color predominantly on its uniforms, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are the new gold standard for NFL defenses.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

After whiffing with the New York Yankees and later flopping for the Dallas Cowboys, Drew Henson is getting a chance to salvage his NFL career with the winless Detroit Lions.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys running back Marion Barber Thursday.

The Dallas Cowboys know the big question going forward: Can they keep it up in December and avoid that seemingly routine late-season swoon?
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys vs. Seahawks

AP

Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett celebrates after scoring a touchdown Thursday.

The Dallas Cowboys dominated the Seattle Seahawks in the final Thanksgiving Day game at Texas Stadium.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys vs. Seahawks

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo may be done wearing a splint to protect his right pinkie finger.

AP

Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware sacks San Francisco quarterback Shaun Hill Sunday.

Throughout last season and the early part of this year, Cowboys defenders fell into the habit of being the supporting cast for Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and crew. Knowing those guys would score in the 30s, the defense got comfortable trying to hold teams in the 20s.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice 11.25

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo decided to take off the brace on his broken right pinkie while stretching with the team during their walk-through practice Wednesday.

Julius Jones has been excited for Thursday's game at Dallas since the schedule came out in April.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

Dallas signed defensive back Tra Battle off San Diego's practice squad Wednesday, and he could play Thursday for the Cowboys.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice 11.25

AP

Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens catches in a 45-yard pass against the 49ers Sunday.

Terrell Owens isn't satisfied. He insisted Tuesday there was nothing special about his latest outing, even if his 213 yards receiving were more than his previous five games combined.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice 11.25

AP

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at practice Tuesday.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo hopes to soon play without a splint on his throwing hand, but the protective device was still covering his injured right pinkie Tuesday.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice 11.25

Denver Broncos

Cowboys guard Montrae Holland.

The Dallas Cowboys could be looking at their third starting left guard of the season.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice 11.25

AP / File

Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones will face the Cowboys Thursday for the first time since leaving in the offseason.

Julius Jones will start for the Seahawks on Thursday at Dallas.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten knows despite back-to-back wins and a 7-4 record, the Cowboys are still far from a lock to make the playoffs.

AP / File

Adam 'Pacman' Jones.

In his first day back Adam "Pacman" Jones wasn't exactly holding court.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer sacks San Francisco quarterback Shaun Hill Sunday.

Don't look now, but that Dallas Cowboys defense is showing some fight.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys-49ers

Seattle's Maurice Morris had his best game of the season on Sunday, running for 103 yards on just 14 carries and catching a 4-yard touchdown pass in the Seahawks' 20-17 loss to Washington.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Adam "Pacman" Jones.

Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips said cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones is back with the team at Valley Ranch.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys-49ers

AP

Mike Jenkins

The Dallas Cowboys will be without left guard Kyle Kosier and rookie cornerback Mike Jenkins against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys-49ers

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren says his players have Monday off and a game-plan practice on Tuesday. After a light practice Wednesday morning they fly to Dallas.

AP

Cowboys receivers Terrell Owens (right) and Roy Williams after Sunday's win.

Terrell Owens' big day coming after he went public during the week and criticized offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and his scheme and now that Owens has the offensive explosion, the Cowboys would like us to believe its all happen-stance.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys-49ers

AP

Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens scoring a 75-yard touchdown Sunday.

The Dallas Cowboys used a heavy dose of Terrell Owens to win a game they had to, 35-22 over the San Francisco 49ers.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys-49ers

AP

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips during the Rams loss.

As the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers prepare to meet Sunday, folks in both locker rooms might be saying, "Remember the Rams."
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• Game forecast

AP

Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens after Sunday's win over Washington.

Controversial Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens has done it again. "You can't obtain that championship if I’m not involved in the offense," Owens said.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman wouldn't say whether he is in our out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff celebrates after sacking Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell Sunday.

The Dallas Cowboys were flying high after winning on Washington's turf, but even during the locker room celebration linebacker Bradie James said there was more work to do.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

AP

Cowboys running backs Felix Jones, left, and Marion Barber at practice Wednesday.

Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones will miss the rest of his rookie season.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

AP

Redskins running back Clinton Portis rushes against Cowboys Zach Thomas Sunday.

There is no such thing as an easy week for the Dallas Cowboys' defense.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

AP / File

Adam "Pacman" Jones.

The NFL is giving Adam "Pacman" Jones another chance.
• Hansen: I have no idea why Pacman gets another chance, either
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

AP

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo at practice Wednesday.

Tony Romo is 1-0 since putting on a splint to protect his broken pinkie, and he may have to wear it for his next start — and the one after that.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

The NCAA basketball championship will come to Arlington in 2014.

Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens was strangely absent from his usual media session late Wednesday morning in the team's locker room.

Ron Springs, the man fans watched on the football field as a Dallas Cowboys in the '80s and who triumphed over diabetes, is in a coma. He has been that way for more than 12 months.

The arrival of the Cowboys at The Salvation Army Carr P. Collins Social Service Center in Dallas creates quite a stir.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday afternoon that he has no time-table for making a decision on the status of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones.

AP / File

Adam “Pacman” Jones.

Suspended Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has completed the inpatient portion of his NFL-ordered alcohol treatment and has returned to Texas, where he is hopeful of soon being able to rejoin the team.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo delivers a fourth quarter pass against the Redskins Sunday.

It certainly was premature to write the Dallas Cowboys out of the playoff picture after they fell to 5-4. So it's probably premature to write them back in now that they've reached 6-4, although in a very competitive NFC, they likely have a good shot.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys running back Marion Barber rushes against the Redskins Sunday.

The Dallas Cowboys protected a 14-10 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday night by turning to Marion Barber and the offensive line. Combining punishing blocks and Barber's rugged running, the Cowboys drained the final 6:40 off the clock, preventing the Redskins from even having a chance to come back.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Boys vs. Skins

AP

Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett scores a touchdown against Redskins safety Chris Horton, left, and safety LaRon Landry Sunday.

The Dallas Cowboys left FedEx Field in Washington after defeating the Redskins 14-10 Sunday night, elated.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Boys vs. Skins

AP / File

Pacman Jones at practice last month.

Suspended Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones must keep waiting to find out whether he can resume his NFL career.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys running back Marion Barber rushes against Redskins linebacker London Fletcher Snday.

The Dallas Cowboys used Marion Barber to pound the Washington Redskins late in a 14-10 win.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Boys vs. Skins

The Dallas Cowboys won and it may have had more to do with just having Tony Romo back than anything he actually did.

AP

Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell is sacked by Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis Sept. 28.

The Dallas Cowboys were on a roll when the Washington Redskins came to town in week four back in September.
• Game forecast: Boys-Skins
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

You don't need a Shakespearean balcony scene to realize the importance of Tony Romo's return to the Dallas Cowboys, perhaps just in time to save a season going wrong.
• Game forecast: Boys-Skins
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Cowboys receiver Roy Williams and quarterback Tony Romo at practice Thursday.

Roy Williams stood at his locker wearing a hooded Texas Tech sweat shirt, the humbling payback of a lost bet for the newest Dallas Cowboys receiver and Texas alum.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

AP

Tony Romo at practice Thursday.

Tony Romo will be back Sunday night when the Dallas Cowboys go to Washington, but everything might not be quite as OK as Jerry Jones and his team think.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says his team can absolutely make the playoffs. He's an amazingly positive man and I like that about him.

AP

Tony Romo throws to Jason Witten at Cowboys practice Thursday.

Jerry Jones "absolutely" believes the Dallas Cowboys will make the playoffs, would welcome Adam "Pacman" Jones back to the team if he's reinstated and isn't considering a coaching change.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday
• SLIDESHOW: Cowboys practice

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Felix Jones was not practicing with the team Thursday.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is reportedly asking for $350 million in new loans for the new stadium.

AP

Cowboys receiver Roy Williams scores against Tampa Bay.

If it were poker, it would be time for the Dallas Cowboys to push their chips to the center of the table and go all in.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

AP

Tony Romo talks to Marion Barber during the team’s Oct. 26 win over Tampa Bay.

Tony Romo laughed at the notion his return to the Dallas lineup will be the complete cure for the struggling Cowboys.
• WFAA SPORTS BLOG: Pacman likely to return kickoffs Sunday

The Detroit Lions cut quarterback Drew Henson, parting ways with the former Michigan and Dallas Cowboys quarterback and New York Yankees prospect.