Wednesday, October 30, 1996

Toughest Tests Yet To Come For Cowboys

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Forget the Dallas Cowboys' day at the beach in Miami. The most critical part of the defending Super Bowl champions' schedule is on the horizon: Philadelphia, San Francisco and Green Bay.

"This stretch of games is the heart of our schedule," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said on Tuesday. "With our record, we need to win out. This game on Sunday will be as important as any game we will play. We're into our ninth game and the scenario is the same. We need to win. The pressure is on."

The joy of defeating Miami and Jimmy Johnson 29-10 on Sunday was short-lived because of the reality of the Cowboys' situation in the vastly improved NFC East.

The Cowboys (5-3) trail Sunday's opponent, Philadelphia, by one game and are two games behind Norv Turner's Washington Redskins. Nobody has to remind the Cowboys that Turner, a former Dallas assistant, beat them twice in 1995.

Dallas doesn't face the Redskins until Thanksgiving Day in Texas Stadium.

Switzer said at least he won't be worried about the Cowboys being overconfident against a team they defeated 23-19 last month and nine out of the last 10 times.

"There is still apprehension when we play," Switzer said. "We're still a little wounded and Halloween scared. We're playing with the fear of losing right now. We know we have to play our best when we play. "

Dallas rallied from a 1-3 start and the win over the Eagles on Sept. 30 on Monday Night Football was the big turnaround.

"It was the pivotal game of the year for us," Switzer said.

The coach added that the Cowboys are starting to play like they did last year.

"It's been fun to watch our defense," Switzer said of the NFL's second-rated unit, which is No. 1 against the pass. "We've played with intensity and been very consistent."

Switzer said the challenge will be for the Cowboys' 16th-ranked offense to get better. He thinks it will, because of the impact of Michael Irvin.

"It's a great test for our offense to get going," Switzer said. "I feel a lot better about the way it's going. We're getting healther and Irvin has made a big difference."

Irvin has caught 24 passes for 356 yards and one touchdown in just three games since his return from NFL suspension. He tied his career-best performance with 12 at Miami, good for 186 yards.

"Since Michael has been in there, we've doubled our production," Switzer said. "He's made a big difference. "

Normally, at this time of year the Cowboys are looking down at their NFC East competitors. There is no view from the top this season. The Super Bowl champions are still looking up from the huge hole they dug at the beginning.

But the Cowboys are 8-point favorites on Sunday to keep their rally alive.