Two games into the season, the Dallas Cowboys defense had allowed nearly 900 yards and 54 points while creating plenty of concern. They were the only team in the league without a sack or a forced turnover.

Cowboys linebacker Bradie James was already talking about an "adverse situation" and what a shame it would be to "just fall apart."

Well, take a look at them now.

The NFC East-leading Cowboys (8-3) have become one of the NFL's top defenses, and their play will be important heading into the crucial December stretch that begins Sunday in New York against a Giants team that was one of the two that torched them in September.

"We're just a better defensive unit right now. We're all on one string playing together, everything's flowing together, everybody's buying into the system and everybody's just having fun," safety Gerald Sensabaugh said Monday, when Dallas returned to practice after it extended weekend after beating Oakland on Thanksgiving. "Guys are out there playing with a lot of passion and there's a lot of excitement out there."

Back in Week 2, the Giants spoiled the first game in new Cowboys Stadium, scoring on all three of their offensive possessions in the fourth quarter, piling up 427 yards and winning 33-31 after a field goal on the final play of the game.

Since then, Dallas has given up only 303 yards per game, with no team getting more than 337 and four held under 300. The Cowboys have allowed only 128 points since Week 2, the lowest total in the NFL over that span.

"The defense is great. They have been playing some outstanding football," quarterback Tony Romo said. "I expect that to continue. We're coming into a tough stretch of games and we are going to need to rely on them in different situations. I'm excited about them."

Only three teams have more than the 28 sacks the Cowboys have the past nine games. They have had at least three sacks in all but one of those games.

"Right now, we're just playing as a unit," nose tackle Jay Ratliff said. "We're playing together, we all understand each other, trust each other and we're all buying into the system."

There were changes in the starting lineup after the offseason departures of linebackers Greg Ellis and Zach Thomas, safety Roy Williams, cornerback Anthony Henry and defensive end Chris Canty. Plus, head coach Wade Phillips fully took on the additional role as defensive coordinator after firing Brian Stewart.