DaytonDailyNews.com

It's the first week in July which means it's time for NFL football, thinking about it anyway. You know, who will win the Super Bowl, favorites, sleepers, possible MVPs, rookies of the year?

Let's focus on the first question. Logic would say the New England Patriots. They came within one win of the perfect season. They became the first team to go undefeated in a 16-game season.

But I don't see the 2008-09 season as theirs. For one thing, teams started to catch up to them late in the season.

Who can forget the Baltimore Ravens having them stopped on what would have been their final drive when the Ravens' defensive coordinator called time-out?

For another, Bill Belichick and crew apparently won't be taking photos of their opponents signals.

The Indianapolis Colts were 13-3 and should be as good again. And of course, the Super Bowl champion New York Giants must be considered among the favorites. However, I'm looking at the Dallas Cowboys. Their owner, Jerry Jones, lives for the NFL title. The Cowboys head coach, Wade Phillips, is 61-42 for his career and with the talent he's working with, his 0-4 postseason record should change.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, 28, threw 36 touchdowns and passed for 4,211 yards last season. Running back Marion Barber, 25, rushed for 975 yards and 10 TDs.

Terrell Owens scored 15 touchdowns and even though he's 34, he seems to have maintained that awesome speed to go along with his size.

If the Cowboys can get nose tackle Tank Johnson and cornerback/return man Adam "no longer Pacman" Jones focused, well, look out.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2160

or gsimms@DaytonDailyNews.com.