12 NFL teams who will be playoff contenders in 2015-16

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Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett leads his team on the field before the game against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat Detroit 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Dallas Cowboys

Coming off a wildly successful 12-4 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys improved their 2015 roster mostly through the draft, adding cornerback Byron Jones—probably the third best corner in this draft class—and Randy Gregory in the second-round. Then they signed talented, but embattled LSU offensive lineman La’El Collins to potentially start at left guard, which would be a perfect fit for him.

They also added Greg Hardy in the offseason, who along with Gregory could greatly improve the team’s pass rush.

In other words, a team which probably overachieved a season ago—the expected win-loss Pythagorean model suggests they did by 1.2 wins—now looks on paper like the 12-win team they were a season ago.

The question presents itself: What about the running back spot? Where do they go after losing NFL Offensive Player of the Year DeMarco Murray to the rival Eagles and not replacing him with a big name (sorry, Darren McFadden)?

The answer: What about it? With an offensive line as dominant as the theirs, you or I could run behind it and gain positive yards on most every play.

This is yet again a team ready to legitimately compete for a championship in 2015.

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