IRVING, Texas — Raise your hand if you had the Dallas Cowboys tied for the best record in the NFC with the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles at 4-1 after five games.

That’s where the surprising Cowboys stand heading into Sunday’s early season showdown with the Seahawks.

The Cowboys are certainly looking at the Seahawks as a measuring-stick game to see where they are and how far they have come after a string of mediocre seasons.

A win would certainly legitimize the Cowboys as a contender and give them real hope that the 8-8 seasons — and four straight years of missing the playoffs — are gone.

“Well, I think we’ve seen plenty of times one game isn’t going to define your season at this point,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “However, there are very important games and you know this is a game that is a great test for us.

“It’s going to be good to see our team come out with great energy and great enthusiasm and really see how we stack up. Normally, no one stacks up very well there against them. So I’m anxious to see how we do.”

The Cowboys take their four-game winning streak to Seattle, but they’ll be an underdog at CenturyLink Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks rarely lose at home. Seattle is 18-1 at home since 2012.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calls it a challenge and also an opportunity. A win would do wonders for their confidence.

“They have such a great record in that stadium,” Jones said. “I know what they are capable of doing. They are such a challenge. But I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for anything.

“We got a lot at stake. Expectations are not high. But if you won a game like this, you could change a lot of things. Those are the kind of opportunities you wish for. That’s what we got in Seattle. We will see.”

The players are approaching the game with a similar mind-set.

“This is a great football team we are about to play and this will really tell us where are team is at,” cornerback Orlando Scandrick said. “Regardless of the outcome, it’s going to tell us where our team is at. You want to be the best, you have to beat the best. That’s the best team. That’s the most complete team in the NFL right now.”

Defensive end Jeremy Mincey promised that the Cowboys will be prepared.

“We have a bunch of hungry men in here and Seattle wears their pants just like we wear pants. They are all men,” Mincey said. “We have to come out focused with intensity and do what we have been doing. No retreat. No surrender.

“I mean, this is the Super Bowl champs. Any time you go against the Super Bowl champs, you want to compete. We are not going to back down now. That’s one thing we are not going to do.

“I got complete confidence in my coaches and all my teammates and all the guys around me. It’s going to be a great ballgame. I look forward to playing Seattle.”

The Cowboys won’t alter the identity that carried them so far. They’ll rely on the league’s second-ranked rush offense to control the game and the trenches.

That the Cowboys will be challenged by the league’s top-ranked run defense provides just another test on Sunday.

“We feel good about going out and just being who we are,” Romo said. “We’ll have little adjustments here and there, but as far as our identity, I think we’re going to be who we are and then go attack football teams in multiple ways.

“I’m excited about the guys we’ve got and how great this challenge will be. We know it’s difficult and believe in our guys and think we’re going to play a great football game and have a chance. And that’s what you want up there.

“This game is still ultimately won in the trenches. We feel good about our guys that we have there.”

NOTES: QB Tony Romo sat out practice Wednesday, which has become a trend, to strengthen his back and keep his legs fresh for Sunday’s game. He will practice Thursday. … LB Rolando McClain missed practice Wednesday with a groin injury. The Cowboys are hopeful that he can practice one day this week and play against the Seahawks on Friday. He has dealt with the injury all season. … LB Bruce Carter will miss his second straight game with a quad strain. … WR Tim Benford was cut from the practice squad. … WR LaRon Byrd, who was cut by the Cowboys in training camp, was signed to the practice squad. Byrd was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns after final cuts before being released last week. … LB Keith Smith was re-signed to the practice squad. Smith was active for the Houston games for depth purposes because of injuries before being released Monday.