NFL: Cowboys Owner Sees Opportunities Ahead for Team

The Dallas Cowboys gained a half-game in the standings on the rest of the NFC East without playing a game and this week turned down a significant trade offer.

What owner Jerry Jones sees now is an even bigger opportunity.

Especially since the Cowboys (3-2) should be fresh coming off their bye week, when the other three division teams lost, and expect to get several key players back from injury at home Sunday against Atlanta (4-1).

"That presents quite a challenge for us, but that's a good thing for our team right now, a very good thing," Jones said Wednesday. "We've got an opportunity here to really create some, perceived by our fans and by other people, some real credibility if we could come in here and beat the Falcons."

Dallas' three victories are against a trio of teams with a combined 3-11 record, and overtime was needed to win at then-winless Kansas City in the last game. The two losses are against the New York Giants (5-1) and Denver (6-0).

Unlike a year ago, when the Cowboys made a big deal to acquire receiver Roy Williams, the trading deadline passed Tuesday without any moves.

"We had a significant offer for a key player that we turned down and turned down in getting in more extended dialogue for, " Jones said, refusing to provide details except to say it wasn't a running back. "It was a very firm, significant offer for one of our young players."

Jones said part of the reason no deals were made is that he likes the general makeup of his team.

"I feel as good about what we can do this year as I did last year when I traded for Roy Williams and gave consideration for Roy playing and helping us accomplish our goals last year," Jones said. "I feel every bit as strong as I felt last year."