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MINNEAPOLIS -- How `bout them Cowboys?Theyve built a healthy lead on the rest of the NFC at the midpoint of this season, for starters. Theyve been playing like theyre capable of finishing on top, too.Defying so many of those pre-September predictions from the punditry, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have followed a one-point loss in their opener with seven straight victories. This, of course, with an all-rookie backfield of Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott performing well beyond their years.Were so dynamic its crazy, said two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant, whose three-game absence due to a knee injury went largely unnoticed.Thats partly because of the polish and poise displayed by Prescott, the fourth-round draft pick from Mississippi State thrust into action when Tony Romo hurt his back during the preseason. The other significant factor in the first-half surge by the Cowboys, as sure a sign as any that its sustainable, is the success Elliott has had carrying the ball behind that dominant offensive line built by three former first-round draft picks.This fall has has been so fruitful for Dallas that Romo isnt guaranteed to get the job back.Its hard for me to say its Tonys team, its my team or anybodys team, Prescott said. Its a true team, and everybody is playing their part in it.That fearsome five the Cowboys (7-1) can pass and run behind is not the only factor in their command of the NFC playoff race. Another reason theyre ahead is the struggles by other contenders, namely Seattle and Minnesota, to solidify the blocking up front.The Seahawks (5-2-1) have had trouble getting their offense going this year, with running back Marshawn Lynch now retired and Russell Wilson grinding through ankle and knee injuries that have hampered his mobility. The revamped line remains a work in progress.The Vikings (5-3) had the NFLs last undefeated record, until their bye week arrived. Since then, theyve lost all three straight games with issues on offense, defense and special teams all influencing the streak. With both starting tackles on injured reserve and left guard Alex Boone recovering from a concussion that kept him out of the overtime loss to Detroit on Sunday, the protection for quarterback Sam Bradford is going to be a yearlong concern.After the crushing loss at home to the Lions, coach Mike Zimmer at least sounded satisfied that some confidence had been restored.Im hopeful theyll continue to carry it forward through the rest of the season, because if we do that were going to win some games, Zimmer said.The Atlanta Falcons (6-3) have already escaped their October skid, having rallied to beat Green Bay by one point on Oct. 30 and breezed by Tampa Bay four days later. The leagues highest-scoring team, at 34 points per game, has assembled many more threats than just star wide receiver Julio Jones .Were at our best when we keep attacking and different guys get the ball, coach Dan Quinn said.Here are some other facts and figures about the NFC entering the stretch run:FALL OF THE FINALISTS: Carolina carried plenty of confidence, coming off a trip to the Super Bowl, along with a reputable defense and the NFLs most recent MVP, Cam Newton. The Panthers (3-5) instead have been one of the leagues biggest early letdowns. The team they blew out in the NFC championship game last winter, Arizona, has struggled right along with them. The Cardinals (3-4-1) lost the rematch to the Panthers on Oct. 30.PROBLEMS FOR THE PACKERS: With Aaron Rodgers still in his prime, the return of wide receiver Jordy Nelson and many other standouts on the roster, the Packers (4-4) were again a trendy pick to reach the Super Bowl. The offense just hasnt been able to establish a rhythm, injuries have begun piling up and the defense has been vulnerable lately with 30-plus points allowed in three of the last four games.SNEAKY SAINTS: New Orleans hasnt made the playoffs since 2013, and after starting 0-3 the Saints sure werent part of the conversation about Super Bowl contenders. The Saints (4-4) are still soft on defense, allowing an average of 30 points per game, the third-most in the league. Theyre in the thick of the wild-card race, though, right there with the New York Giants (5-3), Washington (4-3-1), Detroit (5-4), Philadelphia (4-4) and Green Bay.FANTASY FOOTBALL STARS: Elliott, Arizonas David Johnson and Atlantas Devonta Freeman have been productive running backs, as expected, but Chicago rookie Jordan Howard has been quite the revelation. Matt Ryan is in the MVP mix for the Falcons, and Matthew Stafford is playing as well as ever for the Lions. Odell Beckham has snapped to life after a slow start for the Giants. Tampa Bays Mike Evans has become a true elite wide receiver.IMPORTANT INTERCONFERENCE MATCHUPS: Philadelphia at Seattle on Nov. 20, Minnesota at Detroit on Nov. 24, Green Bay at Philadelphia on Nov. 28, Dallas at Minnesota on Dec. 1, Dallas at New York on Dec. 11, New York and Philadelphia on Dec. 22, Arizona at Seattle on Dec. 24, and New Orleans at Atlanta on Jan. 1.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DaveCampbellAP Wholesale Custom College Jerseys . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Clearance Custom College Jerseys . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. http://www.customjerseyscollege.com/ . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Custom College Jerseys China .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Sale Custom College Jerseys . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. ASHBURN, Va. -- Despite losing twice at home, and facing all sorts of problem areas, Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden wants everyone to stay positive and understand we still have 14 games left and believe that all our goals are still reachable.If those phrases make him sound as if hes living in denial, there is no denying this: A loss next Sunday at the New York Giants (2-0) would leave Washington in a big hole in the NFC East, three games out of first place just three games into the season.To be 0-2 at home -- losing to the Cowboys, losing to the Steelers -- is kind of a shock to everybody, Gruden said Monday. We expected great things this year. We still do.A year after winning their division behind a career season from Kirk Cousins, the Redskins have reason to wonder what is going on with the QB . He has one touchdown pass and three interceptions, including an end-zone pick on third-and-goal from the 6 in the fourth quarter of Sundays 27-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.Hes not going to be perfect every week, thats for sure. And no quarterbacks are. Its just a matter of handling his business, going into work the next day and continuing to get better, Gruden said. Keep his head up and stay confident, stay poised.Gruden continued: Sometimes he puts a lot on himself. He puts a lot of pressure on himself. He wants to be great, theres no question about it. And sometimes, if he feels like hes not playing to the standards that we all have set for him, he feels like hes letting everybody down.There have been problems in the red zone. And on third downs. Cousins passer rating of 78.5 ranks 27th in the league.He has not been very accurate: Against Dallas, Cousins overthrew wide-open receivers DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder on plays that very easily could have been TDs.It wasnt good enough, obviously, Cousins acknowledged. I neeed to play better.ddddddddddddNo quarterback has thrown more often than Cousins 89 attempts through two games (Jacksonvilles Blake Bortles has the same number), and Washington has run the ball a grand total of 29 times, a division of labor that might not serve the Redskins well against the Giants revamped defense .Were not happy with the run-pass balance. Based on the numbers, were obviously not a `run-first team. Id be standing up here looking like a fool if I said were a `pound the rock-type team right now, Gruden said. First two games, the proof is in the pudding, the numbers.In addition to sounding an optimistic tone Monday, Gruden did say there is plenty his players and coaching staff needed to improve -- on offense and defense.Weve just got to do a better job communicating on defense, making sure were in the right spot, getting the calls out to the defensive backs, linebackers, defensive line. Offensively, making sure we know exactly where to go with the ball, when to go to it, and just do a better job of letting the players know what were trying to accomplish with each play call, both (on) offense and defense, the coach said. The players have got to understand what were doing and do it to the best of their ability.Game notes NT Kedric Golston went on IR after injuring his right hamstring on the first play from scrimmage against Dallas. In other moves, Washington brought up rookie DL Matt Ioannidis from the practice squad and added three players to the practice squad: LBs Jason Fanaika and Amarlo Herrera, and DL Bobby Richardson.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich ' ' '