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It may be a tall order for the Dallas Cowboys moving forward to win games with the loss of defensive leader Sean Lee, but if they can at least beat NFC East opponents, they will still be in the mix for the playoffs. Even a 9-7 record, as we saw last year with the Giants, can win the division. We all know how their season ended.

With five division games of the 10 remaining on the schedule, the Cowboys will have ample opportunities to do damage and climb to the top of the NFC East. But of course they also have games against Atlanta, Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

Currently the ‘Boys are sitting at 3-3, 1-0 in the division, good enough to be tied for second with the Eagles show share the same record.

If Dallas can defeat the Giants on Sunday, it would drop their division record to a critical 1-3 and 5-3 overall. Even if the Eagles can muster a win against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons, the Cowboys would seemingly be in the drivers’ seat and they would definitely control their own destiny.

With half of their scheduled game being in the division, the Cowboys can make or break their season on those five games alone. An 8-8 overall record, but 5-1 in the division, should be a solid enough record to win the East.

It’s much realized that Sean Lee’s absence will make it a challenge for the Cowboys to get through the season with a positive result. But you just never know how the NFL season will end. If a team gets hot at the right time, the improbable could happen.

Not to say the Cowboys are headed to the Big Easy for a football game in February, but they could still make a nice run and give their fans hope for 2013.

The hope could be there, it’s just up to the will of the Cowboys to make sure it is not lost.