With A 38-10 Game 1 Win, Are The Cowboys Back?

YES
Forget the 0-5 preseason, which was essentially a get-acquainted session for rookie coach Chan Gailey . Forget last year, when distractions and the horrible coaching of Barry Switzer put Dallas in the tank early. The Cowboys still have Super Bowl talent, particularly at the key offensive positions. On Sunday against the Cardinals , wideout Michael Irvin caught nine passes for 119 yards from all kinds of alignments. Irvin 's act doesn't play well off the field, but on it there are not many better.

—J.M.

Or

NO
On a broiling opening day in Pittsburgh last year, the Cowboys clobbered the Steelers 37-7. They proceeded to go 5-10 the rest of the way. Maybe Emmitt Smith can muster a 1,400-yard year. Maybe Deion Sanders can be a 16-week roll of Saran Wrap on opponents' wideouts. Maybe Nate Newton can coax 15 more Sundays out of his 36-year-old legs. And maybe Dallas can conjure a pass rush out of nothing. But it will take a lot more than an intoxicating opening day to persuade me.

—Peter King