What does the Cowboys' ascension to the top of the NFC really mean? They're No. 1 in a group of pretenders. Their substandard conference affiliation means an inflated regular-season record and, at best, a reserved spot on the sacrificial altar come Feb. 3.

Look at today's win over the Giants? This was supposed to a statement game, but it proves nothing. New York had one victory over a winning team this season, and that was over a Redskins team that is sliding into oblivion. The Giants have to stop a real offense just once before they are part of a serious contender conversation.

Dallas' playoff path to Super Bowl XLII will be paved with mediocrity. The Packers are a fluky 8-1. How many jump balls can Green Bay's WRs come down with? The Lions are 6-3 and will probably end up 8-8. The four teams in the NFC South are barely worth mentioning. And the NFC West is even worse.

The Cowboys haven't distinguished themselves in three games against the AFC this season. Throw out their win against the irrelevant Dolphins. Dallas was outplayed by Buffalo in that last-second Monday night win. And despite Terrell Owens' postgame claims, they didn't show me any reason to believe they could beat the Patriots in a rematch of their 48-27 loss in Week 6.

The ‘Boys are a very good team. Tony Romo is peforming up to his gaudy contract and celebrity girlfriend, T.O. is playing at a Hall of Fame level and the running game is solid. But Dallas is like Farmer Ted in Sixteen Candles ... the king of the geeks. A barracuda in a pool full of NFC guppies. Problem is, the Cowboys will face a great white shark if they reach the Super Bowl.

Everyone in Dallas should be proud of the upcoming trip to Glendale, Ariz., ... and the inevitable loss, followed by the offseason drama (probably Owens-related) and the 2008 Super Bowl loser's jinx collapse.