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2009-2010 Regular Season: Postgame - Cowboys Come Of
Age As Divine Intervention Runs Out On Saints
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- December
27, 2009
At 12:26 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The build-up to the showdown between
the Dallas Cowboys and the powerful New Orleans Saints was loaded
with equal parts anxiety, despair, optimism, and defiance for
Cowboys fans everywhere.
Fans were at wit’s end – looking high and low for proof of life from
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ coaching staff, and the Cowboys’ players.
They sought even the smallest tangible bit of evidence that the
Cowboys’ organization was doing everything possible to right a ship
headed in the wrong direction yet again.
No one wanted to truly believe a diagnosis that the Cowboys were, in
fact, allergic to the month of December. My own two year old son is
allergic to dairy products. It has been pure torture for him to
watch me eat real ice cream in front of him.
It has been pure torture for fans to watch the Cowboys collapse in
so many ways for so many years in a month they used to own for so
long.
My son wondered if he was ever going to be allowed to enjoy ice
cream with his daddy. He now wolfs down quality soy ice cream (which
was not easy to acquire).
Cowboys’ fans wondered if they were ever going to be allowed to
enjoy the month of December with their favorite team. They are now
enjoying one of the biggest December wins in the history of the
Cowboys’ organization (which was not easy to acquire).
Fans wanted proof of life, and the Cowboys delivered in beating the
Saints 24-17 in front of a semi-national audience on the NFL
Network.
“Who ‘Dat Say ‘Dey Gonna’ Beat ‘Dem Saints? The Dallas Cowboys!
‘Dats Who! ‘Dats Who!”
Proof From Jerry Jones
Fans – for the umpteenth time – wondered out loud: “Does this
organization get it? Do they yet see what is going on around them
and within them? Are they ever going to turn the corner and fulfill
any of the promise heaped upon them by the sports experts?”
Anyone who watched the pre-game show on the NFL Network finally saw
undeniable proof that Jerry Jones “gets it” – that he sees what is
going on around his organization – that if his coaches and players
do not find a way to turn the corner and fulfill so much promise . .
. that his hand will be forced to make changes he wants very badly
to avoid making.
Jerry effectively stated that his team simply had to deliver against
their remaining three opponents – in the New Orleans Saints, the
Washington Redskins, and the Philadelphia Eagles – or that he was
going to have to fire most if not all of the coaching staff and
potentially make roster moves in the off-season as well.
“This was obvious from the beginning,” you say?
“Jerry does not want to face the fact that he placed his
organization’s chances of success in the hands of a son of a Bum,”
you say?
While Jerry admitted being “nervous as a cat” among other
statements, he did not seem the least bit concerned for his own
personal embarrassment – as he recounted the tale of having his
credit card(s) cut up at one rental car counter and recovering 15
short years later . . . just in time to purchase and change the
course of history for America’s Team.
Hold The Dynamite Please
Jerry has earned the right to have a humungous ego – through his
incredible non-sports business successes as well as those of the
Dallas Cowboys – and it takes a big man with a big ego to admit on
semi-national television when he does not know if his team can
really pull off an upset of a powerful 13-0 opponent on the road.
Jerry would like to avoid calling Mike Shanahan – and inquiring
about his future coaching interests – in the worst possible way . .
. but not because he is afraid of being called out, again, as a
lousy general manager and medaling owner.
He wants to avoid “blowing up his team,” because – bottom line – it
is an incredible headache and infrastructural nightmare to him and a
traumatic tour through a mental hospital for Cowboys fans
everywhere. Jerry, of course, has always been one of the biggest
Cowboys fans around, and he is in the unenviable position of having
one foot on each side of the fence when it comes to his long-term
investment, his favorite professional football team, and what he
enjoys most in life outside of his family.
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder knows all about blowing up his
team in order to kick start a winning effort and solution. Snyder is
the ranking member of the NFL’s “blow it up club” – which currently
includes the Cleveland Browns’ Randy Lerner, the Oakland Raiders’ Al
Davis, and the Detroit Lions’ entire Ford family.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ Clark Hunt does not count, as 2009 is his
inaugural season at the helm of the football team he inherited from
his sports fanatic father, Lamar Hunt – but I digress . . .
Jerry’s decision to fire the extremely successful Jimmy Johnson
after the coach publicly embarrassed the owner – even if what Jimmy
said was obvious and true – continues to sting Cowboys’ fans to this
day, but Jerry is desperate to not become another NFL demolitions
expert.
Would Jimmy’s coaching style eventually have led the Cowboys towards
a Dolphins-like result he delivered during his second and final tour
of duty with Miami? Possibly – but the Cowboys had so much more
talent for so much longer. In any event, the past is in the past
even if it was so incredibly good that fans never wanted to
relinquish it.
Jerry – like the fans of his organization – would strongly prefer to
take another championship and hold the dynamite, please.
Proof From The Coaching
Staff
The Cowboy accomplished the unthinkable . . . and I am not referring
to their victory over the Saints. I am referring to an all-out team
effort – the likes of which fans had not seen in even the easiest of
Cowboys wins this season. That effort began with the roots and trunk
of the Cowboys’ still-fragile tree: the coaching staff.
Jason Garrett called a masterful offensive game plan – providing for
time consumptive running, quick strike passing, and a little
in-between – while allowing Romo liberal use of his natural
instincts and crazy legs.
Wade Phillips called the aggressive – almost overpowering –
defensive game plan fans had been waiting to see all season long.
The secondary jammed nearly everyone on the Saints offense that went
out for a pass, and the defensive line gave the Saints QB and
receivers very little chance to develop a rhythm during the better
part of four quarter – until the Cowboys went into a prevent defense
that actually served its purpose. By that time, the Cowboys had
built a tentative 24-3 lead against one of the greatest scoring
machines of all time in the NFL.
Joe DeCamillis did a better – but not excellent – job of preparing
the special teams for preventing another team from breaking a big
untimely run . . . and for helping Felix Jones and Patrick Crayton
succeed from the other end. While DeCamillis’ squad did allow an
unacceptably long Saints run back, it did not end up haunting the
Cowboys in the end.
Again, with special teams – better but not excellent. More so with
special teams than in any other facet of professional football – the
players absolutely must keep their heads on a swivel on the way down
field, they absolutely must be aware of their spacing, they
absolutely must zero in on the runner, and last but not least, they
absolutely must tackle the runner before more than a few yards have
been sacrificed. This is easier said than done but an absolute must,
especially at this time of year.
Proof From The Players
While the Cowboys’ coaching staff did their part in the “miraculous”
win against the Saints, the players had to buy into the schemes
being prepared, or there would have been no such miracle.
If the coaching staff represents the roots and trunk of the Cowboys’
tree, then, the Cowboys’ players represent the far-reaching
branches. Let the evidence show that the players brought some pretty
good wood to bear against the Saints – winning all of the battles on
points, time of possession, passing yards, rushing yards, 1st downs,
3rd down conversions, turnovers, offense, defense, and special teams.
Offensive Evidence –
Exhibit A – Quarterback
Romo was a near-perfect fusion of old (with his dynamic scrambling)
and new (with his generally precise passing and still no turnovers
as of late). He was an admirable 22 of 34 for 312 yards, with one
touchdown, and no mistakes against a pretty aggressive and tough Saints
defensive secondary.
Romo was only near-perfect, because he still managed to throw too
late to a wide-open Austin in the back of the end zone – with Austin
still catching the pass but being forced out of bounds before he had
a chance to get his feet set in bounds.
Romo put on quite a show of the escapability fans had grown to love
about him . . . but of which they had seen far too little over the
past two seasons. Romo had excellent body control (basketball
reference) as his upper body – on many plays – seemed very much
autonomous from the direction his legs were taking it.
Romo was – at times – simply electric . . . just like fans
remembered him. He was – in the 4th quarter – forced to roll to his
left from a collapsed pocket. He twice spun away from oncoming
Saints pursuers, gaining enough separation to rifle a 23 yard pass
to rookie 3rd string tight end John Phillips for another important 1st
down. Romo – again – delivered a nice mix of the two playing styles
he has displayed over his still young career.
Romo was even impressive when faced with a tough play that he could
have simply tried to force with his gun-slinging skills. Instead –
with all the maturity of a super bowl winning QB – he called a
timeout with about 6:30 remaining in the 4th quarter to confirm with
Jason Garrett about the right call for a huge 3rd and 7 play. He hit
Miles Austin in stride just past the 1st down marker, and Austin
continued for another 24 yards.
Offensive Evidence –
Exhibit B – Receivers
Austin still had to do his part – to the tune of 7 catches for
almost 140 yards, one touchdown, and another long catch of 49 yards
– but it all started and continues to start with Romo’s increasingly
efficient decision-making.
Jason Witten was, once again, solid and reliable for his best friend
– with 5 catches for almost 50 yards – except for dropping two gimme
catches. Witten also had a long of 21 yards, helping keep the Saints
and future defenses aware of his ability to burn them down the
seams.
John Phillips – 3rd string rookie tight end for the Cowboys – has
performed much better than anyone could have dreamt while filling in
for back-up tight end Martellus Bennett over the past two games. His
performances moving forward may prove, in fact, to be the end of
Bennett’s career with the Cowboys. Yes, I said it. Whether blocking
or catching, Phillips has been doing exactly as instructed – with
competitive zeal and success.
While his intermediate out route was a little clumsy, reserve wide
receiver Kevin Ogletree did an excellent job of keeping both feet in
bounds while falling out of bounds with a clutch catch.
In a game where – quite literally – every play counted, even 4th
string wide receiver Sam Hurd got into the act with a clutch 6 yard
catch on a late 4th quarter drive.
Roy Williams put on what has become his normal performance in the
second half of this season – one productive game followed by one
unproductive game, rinse and repeat. When the Cowboys’ season comes
to a conclusion – whether in the regular season or the playoffs –
Roy’s 2009 body of work will, once again, be at the heart of a very
public review.
It will be intriguing to learn the consensus on what prevented
better year-long results from him: poor route running contributing
to poor passing? It is not “Roycket Science,” but the proof has been
in the pudding all season long . . . as Cowboys fans continue to
wait for a true breakout game from Mr. Williams.
Offensive Evidence –
Exhibit C – Running Backs
Marion Barber finally resembled the 4th quarter beast fans had been
waiting to see re-emerge all season and – this time – he delivered
nearly every time his number was called, with two touchdowns and 73
yards on only 18 touches.
He would not be denied on plays where his success was absolutely
paramount. His second touchdown run around the left edge normally
would have been stopped short, but he made sure to beat the Saints’
defense to the spot.
Felix Jones cut like a knife whether on 6 and 10 yard running plays
or on swift kick returns. The Cowboys still have yet to regularly
use him in the slot as part of four and five receiver sets – or in
empty backfield formations as a good change of pace from the
Razorback.
Herschel Walker – as mentioned in previous articles – used to scare
the hell out of opponents from the slot. The 2009 Cowboys have more
than enough receiving weapons to put
Jones in the slot - even once every two series - making any defense throw up their hands, begging
the question: “Who do we double?!”
Barber and Jones – in general – played the part of a great NFL yoyo,
delivering back and forth doses of strength and speed for most of
the game, especially as the Cowboys neared the two minute warning in
the 4th quarter. The Saints’ run defense was being gashed left and
right – on almost every play.
Tashard Choice – to everyone’s continued surprise – saw limited
action on offense and played almost entirely on special teams
against the Saints. While fans should be so thrilled to see Barber
and Jones collaborate so smoothly for an entire game, the need to
keep defenses guessing still looms large. We have not heard the last
of Tashard Choice, and he is not about to become a Razorback
specialist with all of the skills he possesses.
Offensive Evidence –
Exhibit D – Linemen
Doug Free continued his in-game education as the starting right
tackle with a mix of mostly good, solid play with a few more rookie
penalties.
Flozell Adams was called for a questionable “hands to the face”
penalty.
Otherwise, the offensive line play was quietly very efficient – in
pass protection and run blocking. An offensive line that goes
relatively unnoticed in today’s NFL is a line that is successful.
Fans should be so pleased at a few more quiet offensive line
performances like the one against the Saints.
Defensive Evidence –
Exhibit A – Linebackers
Keith Brooking – in case anyone has not been paying attention – has
really become the leader of the defense. Bradie James has obviously
welcomed the shared chore of leadership. Brooking backs up his
leadership and pre-game chant with his own hard hits and pretty
solid tackling.
While the Cowboys’ linebackers were caught off-guard on a few tight
end crossing routes – with Bobby Carpenter in coverage – the moral
victory on those plays came with Carpenter’s determination to catch
up with the tight end each time, before too much damage was done.
Carpenter may have been beaten but not by much, and his ability to
quickly hogtie his receiver almost immediately after the catch is a
testament to his improvement this year.
The Cowboys were called for a “12 men on the field” penalty in the
4th quarter. While they certainly may have succumbed to the
momentary elation of leading the unbeaten Saints by an unimaginable
score of 24-3 deep into the 3rd quarter, even one penalty of this
kind is unacceptable when a playoff berth and potential division
crown are on the line. The Cowboys know better, and the linebackers
– the defensive signal callers – know better.
Defensive Evidence –
Exhibit B – Linemen
The Cowboys’ defensive line applied good, consistent pressure on
Saints’ QB Drew Brees all game long – never allowing him to find a
comfort zone in the pocket or a rhythm with his receivers.
Just when fans were wondering from where Ware was going to be
watching the game – rather than playing in it and risking further
injury – Ware showed up with a Superman logo on his jersey and
played like a werewolf with what amounted to no more than a muscle
strain.
DeMarcus did not disappoint – sacking Brees twice and causing two
fumbles in the process.
Anthony Spencer continued his steady season long maturation process
– delivering one and a half sacks (in sharing one with Marcus
Spears) to nearly match Ware. Spencer would have had nearly three
sacks – with two coming on back to back plays – if not for a penalty
on the Cowboys’ secondary.
Jay Ratliff may not have collected any sacks, but his sack-master
teammates certainly benefitted from his and Spears' continual ability to attract
double teams on passing downs and clog up the middle on running
plays.
Defensive Evidence –
Exhibit C – Secondary
The Cowboys’ defensive secondary played tight smash-mouth coverage
for most of the game – until the middle of the fourth quarter when
the Cowboys went into a modified prevent defense, attempting to keep
the Saints receivers in front of them at all times but
closing fast with aggressiveness.
That prevent defense actually succeeded in stopping the long pass
deep into the 4th quarter – when it counted the most.
They were not perfect though, as they missed a series of tackles
while getting gouged for a 28-yard screen pass . . . that could have
gone for more. Weaknesses on screen passes will be noticed, as with
everything a future opponent will notice about your deficiencies
while studying film.
Mike Jenkins produced a nice deep ball interception on an
underthrown Brees pass to end a late 2nd quarter Saints drive.
Gerald Sensabaugh dropped a sure 2nd interception in the 4th
quarter, as well.
Orlando Scandrick played as good against the Saints’ receivers as he
has played all year long . . . even though he was still caught
taking the wrong angle and playing catch up at times. Now – if he
can only reproduce that effort for the rest of this season and more
seasons to come.
The Cowboys’ secondary was simply well-blocked on Brees’ touchdown
pass to Moore in the 4th quarter. It was the law of averages. The
Saints had one blocker for each Cowboys defender, with Moore - as
the odd man - coasting into the end zone. Could the Cowboys’
defensive line have reached into the well one more time to force
Brees into an early or inaccurate pass? Certainly – but they simply
missed one.
It is absolutely worth noting the Saints did not play with Jeremy
Shockey. If the Cowboys make the playoffs – and should these two
teams meet again as Roy “Soothsayer” Williams suggested – the
Cowboys will have to devise a scheme that accounts for Shockey – yet
another game changer in the Saints’ offensive arsenal.
Special Teams Evidence –
Returns, Blocking, And Tackling
Felix Jones continued his increasingly steady play on kick-off
returns – adding another 90 yards to his odometer, with a long
return of 41 fast yards that had a chance to go the distance.
Patrick Crayton – while no speed demon – did add another 35 yards on
punt returns, with a long return of 28 yards. Blocking was
reasonable no matter who was returning the football.
Tackling – on the other hand – could have been better on one
particular Saints run back of 67 yards. While a goal of special
teams is always to prevent against long runs of any kind, such a run
did not cost the team the game – unlike against the Giants.
Success on special teams – as I mentioned earlier – is always easier
said than done. There tends to be more left to chance on special
teams than in any other facet of professional football. Nonetheless,
as long as Cowboys’ opponents believe there is a chance for a big
return, they will be running hard and blocking harder every time.
Special Teams Evidence –
Kicked To The Curb
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” saw Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character –
the T800 – explain that “I cannot self-terminate.”
While it is hard to believe that such a dedicated killing machine as
a terminator would have difficulty sacrificing itself in order to
fulfill its mission objectives, Nick Folk evidently had no such
problem destroying any potential long-term future he might have had
with the Dallas Cowboys.
Nick Folk made a 44-yard kick to finish off the first half – giving
fans tentative hope that he had turned the corner – but he missed an
easy 24-yard kick that would have iced the game on the Cowboys’
second to last possession of the game.
There is irony in Folk missing from short yardage – which he had
been making all year – and making from the 40 to 50-yard range,
which he had been missing during his recent skid.
He officially sealed his doom – to be clear and fair – during
pre-game warm-ups, when his practice kicks looked absolutely brutal.
Soccer players everywhere may have been applauding, but too much
“banana kick” instep on NFL field goals will get you kicked to the
curb before you have even scuffed your cleats.
If there is not something mentally wrong with Folk, there must be a
physical ailment related to the off-season surgery performed on his
hip. Outside of the QB, the kicker is the last person you want
withholding the truth about an injury. This is a suggestion rather
than an insinuation or an outright indictment.
Folk was cut earlier this week when Shaun Suisham – one time place
kicker for both the Cowboys and this week’s opponent, the Washington
Redskins – was signed for a second tour of duty. Does Folk deserve
the same opportunity to redeem himself with another team? Only if he
can prove in practice that he is of solid leg and sound mind and, of
course, if a team comes o’ callin’.
Cowboys fans will never forget how
clutch Folk was in the past few years, but the more clutch kicks he
missed, the further that memory of reliability faded from the here
and the now. Everyone - certainly from the Cowboys' organization to
the fans - hopes that he might get back in gear soon enough for an
invitation to compete in training camp for 2010.
Whether or not Folk’s performance over the last 4-6 weeks actually cost
his former team a victory or two, the Cowboys can only hope that Suisham
has yards and yards of accurate holiday appreciation to show for a
second chance as place kicker with America’s Team.
Comments Make Dungy Look
Dippy But Not Dumb
The Cowboys’ players found motivation in comments made by former NFL
coach and current NBC analyst Tony Dungy – when he said Dallas had
"no chance" against the Saints.
It is rare and refreshing to hear of any Cowboys team taking issue
with derogatory comments made at their expense. Cowboys’ teams of
the past would generally do their talking on the grid iron.
Dungy – one day later – had a national television opportunity to
offer a new perspective on the Cowboys on NBC’s "Football Night in
America."
He stated: "Obviously a bad choice of words. I have to take my hat
off to the Dallas Cowboys. They played great. I don't think you need
motivation from anybody else. You need to play because it means
something to you and that's what they did."
Objectively – Dungy is a great coach who accomplished great things
with a great Colts team and organization. While it is absolutely
wonderful the Cowboys’ showed some real backbone in responding to
international criticism in rising up and beating the Saints, Dungy
does not owe anyone an apology.
What Dungy said may have been idealistic, but it was spot on: “I
don't think you need motivation from anybody else. You need to play
because it means something to you and that's what they did.”
The Cowboys should have been able to generate a great effort against
the Saints – and several other teams this season – without being
ignited by nationally televised prognostications. Dungy’s comments
have momentarily made him look dippy but not dumb.
Everyone in the Cowboys organization should, in fact, be thanking
Dungy for evidently being the only person, place, or thing that
could officially light a fire underneath their talented and
promising but underachieving behinds.
Does anyone remember how upset Bradie James, Wade Phillips, and
other members of the organization became regarding Eli Manning’s
locker room autograph from the first of the season at Cowboys
Stadium? They hinted at some written revenge of their own against
the Giants, and it never quite happened.
Maybe Dungy was successful where Manning’s signature was not,
because Dungy – in criticizing the Cowboys the way he did – was also
picking on Wade, whether intentionally or not. Coaches within the NFL
fraternity – whether retired or not – attempt to never cross the line
of criticizing each other, regardless of whether it is accurate and
warranted.
The players obviously sensed this – compounding their own
frustrations – and came to the defense of their defensive coach in
the best way they knew how: with a timely and necessary victory.
Neither Dungy nor the fans ever need to wonder how the Cowboys’
players feel about their current head coach.
Wade dismissed Dungy's comments, jokingly suggesting it might help
his players to hear Dungy make another such forecast for the Cowboys
against the Washington Redskins.
"Yeah, say they can't beat Washington," said Wade – tongue in cheek.
It should be every fan’s New Year’s wish – and the lone Dallas
resolution – that such comments will no longer be necessary for the
Cowboys to find enough motivation to wins the games on their
schedule. Then, again, maybe Wade should next day air one-way
airfare, a Sharpie marker, and a note to Tony Dungy that reads: “We
have set up a cot and a pillow in the visitor’s locker room. Feel
free to write whatever comes to mind on the wall. You will receive
room service if you stay through the post season.”
Say – has anyone checked the Cowboys Stadium visitor locker room for
any autographs from Redskins safety La Ron Landry? It should read
“Roy Williams was scared.”
It just might be enough to get Roy – for at least one game – to
fulfill his current duties as the other talented starting wide
receiver opposite Miles “Pro Bowler” Austin.
Injury Update
The Cowboys received two early holiday gifts – with the improbable
return of DeMarcus Ware and the resultant win against the Saints.
Anyone – in and out of professional football – who cheers for the
Cowboys should still be amazed to this day that Ware’s injury ended
up being no worse than a strained neck muscle (if – in fact – that
was the truth in the face of a must-win game). Whatever the story
may be, fans should just be thankful and hopeful for Ware’s
continued health and great gridiron play.
Martellus Bennett has been cleared to return from his mystery
concussion symptoms. Fans should only be encouraged by the return of
a tight end with more raw talent and grid iron potential than many
who have graced Valley Ranch with their presence in a long time.
Considering the reliable and solid performance of rookie 3rd string
tight end John Phillips over the past two games – as I mentioned
previously – fans may be just as satisfied in seeing Bennett
maintain a warm spot on the bench.
John Phillips – in just the last two games – has accomplished so
much more than Bennett has over the past two seasons. I will go as
far as suggesting that Phillips has earned some of Romo’s trust
during the most important part of the season – when trust is at a
premium, and it is not just doled out to anyone.
Fans can only hope Bennett has been paying close attention to
everything Phillips has been doing well – from blocking to catching
to tackling on special teams to listening intently in the huddle.
A more immediately important component of the Cowboys’ offense –
right tackle Marc Colombo – has been progressing steadily since
undergoing surgery to repair strained ankle ligaments to go along
with his fractured fibula. If he can, in fact, make it back by his
team’s first (dare I say) playoff game, then, the Cowboys will be
rewarded for not placing him on injured reserve when so many other
teams might have done so five weeks ago.
Seeing Colombo – the Cowboys’ only offensive lineman with any real
“attitude” – simply return to practice before the regular season
concludes will be almost as good as another victory. Doug Free – in
the meantime – should feel free to continue learning on the job and
doing a reasonable job of it, as well.
Safety Ken Hamlin appears to have survived his first game back,
and fans can only hope he does not suffer any setbacks to his
still-tender high ankle sprain.
Fullback Deon Anderson continues to
suffer from symptoms of his mystery illness, and he is potentially
expected to miss the Redskins game. This would place even more
importance on the continued development of John Phillips, as he
would also be filling in as an H-back in Anderson's absence.
A more creative approach to
Anderson's absence - that even the Redskins' Jim Zorn could
appreciate - would be to run a Wishbone variant of the Razorback
formation with Tashard Choice playing QB and Marion and Felix
flanked as blockers. Imagine the fake pitches, the pulling guards,
or even the reverses involving Miles Austin. Just an innocent
thought from another armchair QB.
Facing A Hornets’ Nest Of
Pride
The Cowboys fought back from the brink of becoming Aint’s, just in
time to beat the Saints.
Just as fans were beginning to drink deep of such an excellent,
attention-getting, and timely victory, two more regular season games
remain . . . starting with another NFC East opponent – in the
Washington Redskins – who would rather be stranded in outer space
without oxygen than allow the Cowboys to have any kind of victory.
The New York Giants knew what they were doing – last week – when
they beat the tar out of the Redskins. The Giants are desperate to
qualify for one of the few remaining NFC playoff spots, and the
Cowboys are one of two teams (besides the Green Bay Packers) in
their way.
The Giants are hoping and praying that the Redskins are so bent out
of shape – from a demoralizing defeat at the hands of a sworn NFC
East foe – and boiling over with bruised pride that they might just
topple the visiting Cowboys . . . and gift wrap control to the
Giants over their own playoff destiny. The Giants are counting on
the Cowboys facing a hornets’ nest of pride.
Earlier this year, this Sunday’s game against the Redskins would
have been labeled a trap game for the Cowboys. This game will simply
be the second straight “everything game” for the Cowboys and two out
of three – once they have faced the Eagles at Cowboys Stadium to
close out the regular season.
“Everything” continues to be on the line: a potential playoff spot,
a potential division crown, the potential loss of jobs by some
or all on the coaching staff, and potential roster moves. It goes
without saying that everyone knows what is on the line this weekend
and next weekend.
Once again, the Cowboys – unlike the hopeful Giants – are in control
of their own destiny. The coaches must draw up another successful
game plan, and the players must execute as if their post-season
lives depend on it. Cowboys fans – as usual – can only sit back,
watch, and wait.
Everyone in the Cowboys organization knows better than to overlook
an almost mortally wounded Redskins squad. The Cowboys know their
opponent can get by on hatred alone with one arm tied behind their
bruised and battered back.
The Redskins still have some piss and vinegar to spray at the
Cowboys, and it is entirely up to America’s team to decide if that
is going to happen on the grid iron . . . or if the Redskins will
simply be angrily soiling themselves in their locker room – before
the game, at halftime, and after the game.
The Redskins nearly beat the Cowboys earlier in the season, they
nearly beat the Saints just recently, and they – even in their
weakened condition – can still do damage to their next opponent if
they are sufficiently overlooked.
The Cowboys – for what continues to be at stake for them – should
win this game and win it handily. They will let me and the rest of
their dedicated fans know if they agree with that assessment on
Sunday . . . or if they really do expect and want another close game
with the Redskins.
We shall see. We always do.
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