The Cowboys still have big names on offense. But they have been low octane and feuding of late.

If the Cowboys do indeed make a Super Bowl run it will be because they finally have a dominant defense.

It's not quite Doomsday III, but the Cowboys' defense is playing as well as any in the league and fields the league's most devastating pass rush, led by linebacker DeMarcus Ware.

"I think we have progressed defensively," coach Wade Phillips said. "We have made a step forward defensively in being able to win a game defensively if we have to. I think that is an important step for us. We have been depending on the offense to win a game and the defense to hold them down enough.

"And I think they have proven in several games the defense has played well enough to win the game defensively. That is step forward for our team."

The Cowboys need to win their final two games, Saturday against the Ravens and the following Sunday at Philadelphia, to secure a spot in the postseason.

The Cowboys split their past two games, losing to Pittsburgh then beating the Giants. The Steelers have the league's top-ranked defense while the Giants are seventh.

Dallas' defense dominated the Giants and played well enough to win against the Steelers, limiting them to one offensive touchdown.

The Cowboys now face the NFL's second- and third-ranked defenses to close out the season, in the Ravens and Eagles.

Suffice it to say, Dallas' big names on offense probably won't be able to do much, and it will be up to the Cowboys' defense to lead the way.

The Cowboys believe they are up to the task because they are playing great on defense. The Cowboys lead the league with 53 sacks, the most for the franchise since 1986.

The Cowboys sacked Giants quarterback Eli Manning eight times. They've had at least four sacks in eight games, including five of the past six. They've had at least five sacks in the past three games and at least seven sacks in two of the past three.

And they have also been tough against the run, giving up an average of just 67 rushing yards the past four games.

"I can't remember ever seeing them play any better," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the Cowboys' defense. "I just think they're really, really physical, inside two guys get great push in the pass rush. It's hard to run on them anyway. They can defend the run with their front seven. They've got two excellent corners out there who play with great technique. I just think they're a really quality defense."

SERIES HISTORY: 3rd meeting. The Ravens lead the series 2-0. The Cowboys have faced no other team fewer times than the Ravens. The Ravens beat the Cowboys by a combined score of 57-10 in the previous two meetings.