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- 2019-2020 Regular Season: Dallas Slams L.A. Rams And – With Their Losing
Streak Ceased –Head To Philly To Decide The NFC East
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December 20,
2019 At 8:37 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
- “America’s Team” and their loyal
following were in the middle of enduring another
consecutive-game-losing theme. After performing like no one cares
against the Bills and the Bears, the Dallas Cowboys were
inexplicably 6-7 and still, STILL in first place in the NFC
East, seemingly in a race with the equally-inconsistent Eagles to
see who could deliver the least.
More than the late-season injury fatigue that annually curses the
entire league, the Cowboys had become a philosophically-fractured
organization that (still) could not decide whether it could start
games slow, start games fast, or maintain quality performances (from
coaches to players and across all phases) that were built to last.
They had become their own worst enemy: a team without a reliable
identity.
What was that you say? Something about the Cowboys needing to get
out of their own way? “The Cowboys HAD an identity! Jason Garrett –
a lame duck stuck in his own ‘NO, YOU CHANGE’ muck – was just
messing it up plenty!” you holler (about a team that had been
mentally running on empty with game day results that were only
getting smaller). YES, Yes, yes, this team was constructed to run
the ball to set up the pass . . . but, BUT (“assuming” proper play
call execution born of good play call inclusion) that approach only
reasonably and regularly succeeds when the opposing offense is an
almost insufferable, carcinogenic mass or (more believably)
“Marinelli’s Men” can start with a(ny) lead and step on the gas.
Again, and again, and again, this simple logic does not change, but
it becomes next to impossible when your tuned-out coaching staff and
available talent (somewhat listless and executing like it was cut in
half) suffer collective mental mange. “Outside of Bill Belichick
(master of many a rule-bending trick),” as anyone must confess, if
you give a coach 9+ seasons, his message (without willful, routine
modification that breeds steady success) will begin to fail for any
number of reasons.
While Sean McVay (during L.A.’s own period of puzzling play) had
been accused of occasionally getting spread formation cute, the
visiting Rams appeared to have overcome their clever-ism,
rediscovering their (run first, place-action) rhythm, and were no
longer giving their (Lakers-loving, mildly-interested?) fan base the
single-digit performance salute.
Though a few “brave” prognosticators and the cocky contingent (or
myopic members) of “Cowboys Nation” predicted a possible victory by
Dallas over the high-climbing Rams . . . none could have
realistically envisioned (with a straight face rather than laughing
all over the place) such a brutal body slam (especially with a
mangled coin toss temporarily left the Cowboys at a loss).
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- And yet, the Dallas Cowboys (under the increasingly win-or-else gun)
– knowing failure would get them that much closer to offseason
“fun,” handily head-butted the Los Angeles Rams 44-21.
Not only THAT, but production so phat came from some unlikely
sources (a mix of key position players who – through injuries or
performances none too pleasin’ this season – have been inconsistent
horses).
Short Shots And Hot Spots
Diminutive Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis set the fireworks off
with a timely, series-ending sack of Rams' quarterback Jared Goff.
While he was known to have some of the best interception-nabbing
hands in college football, Lewis has clearly been up for anything to
ensure the opponent doth fall.
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- Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods – ever since "The Tale Of The Tells"
against these very same Rams in last year's playoffs – had (until
this game) seemed to take intermittent plays off. At such a key
position within Rod Marinelli's preferred scheme, that had been
undeniably lame. Following off-the-field trouble (that could STILL
cause a damaging participation delay) and always arduous MCL injury
recovery, Woods displayed some dominating goods, clearly prepared to
play (and limited Rams running back Todd Gurley to but 20 rushing
yards on the day).
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- Tavon Austin (he of historically many injuries and of comparatively
inadequate use) made the most of what appeared to be a HUGE blown
coverage, catching a 59-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to set the
high-scoring stage.
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- Both Ezekiel Elliott and rookie understudy, potent rushing buddy,
Tony Pollard both went well over 100 yards rushing each, ensuring
Prescott – on the day – did not have to overreach (potentially
triggering unnecessary "Dakuracy") to make a or THE play.
“The (Much Maligned) Great Wall Of Dallas” certainly had to do their
collective job or – once again (during a season where the opposite
has occurred more than every now and then) – they would have been
judged a collective slob.
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- Tyron Smith and La’el Collins delivered fine pass protection
resulting in significant sack-time rejection.
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- Veteran (and formerly forgotten) linebacker Sean Lee rolled back the
clock to remind everyone – through one solid sack and one fantastic
interception – that he remained one of the best, most instinctive
defenders on the block . . . determined to do his eagle-eyed part to
deliver a punishing reception.
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- Following a maiden voyage kickoff that landed out of bounds (and
very nearly released a wave of fan-powered hell hounds),
newly-signed journeyman kicker Kai Forbath quickly and productively
turned his initial performance around.
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- Kai "Better Accuracy He Hath" Forbath.
Kai "What Special Teams Blood Bath?" Forbath.
Kai "The Current Guy" Forbath.
Pick a nickname – any nickname – and Kai (unlike his predecessor
Brett “Why Bother?” Maher) was absolutely game.
Misery Loves (More) Injury
Though Leighton Vander Esch has (over the past few weeks) been the
Cowboys’ most important injury loss, he was almost joined by Dallas’
offensive boss. Dak Prescott – as has been well-documented since
their explosive offensive game – was finishing a scramble when he
was driven to the turf by Rams’ linebacker Clay Matthews (who nearly
had all of Cowboys Nation reaching for the tissues).
Prescott sustained what would later by diagnosed as a sprain of the
AC joint in his throwing shoulder and – following a cortisone shot
to take the (painful) edge off – time will tell if he can still let
it fly or if he is forced to function like a much, MUCH older game
day soldier. It will only help if the still-unclear damage to his
right index finger fails to linger.
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- Due to additional, nagging injuries at the linebacker position,
Dallas signed former Super Bowl MVP linebacker Malcolm Smith to
counteract the continuing attrition. The Cowboys’ free agency and
waiver wire wizards – with promising rookie Luke Gifford suffering a
broken arm against the Rams, along with Joe Thomas (knee), Sean Lee
(pectoral, thigh), and, of course, Leighton Vander Esch (neck)
hurting – are on a high-alert, healthy body mission. They know – in
all seriousness – they cannot be flirting.
Super Roll Instead Of Pro Bowl
The Cowboys saw four of their players answer fans’ 2020 Pro Bowl
prayers: Travis Frederick, Ezekiel Elliott, Tyron Smith, and Zack
Martin. Frederick is considered the most deserving of the group (due
to his successful recovery from a year-long battle with
Guillain-Barré syndrome that also left “The Great Wall Of Dallas”
smartin’).
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YES, Yes, yes, Dak Prescott, La’el Collins, and perhaps one or two
others of their brothers were granted the infamous Pro Bowl snub,
but Cowboys Nation should count on ALL Dallas players being focused
on a much bigger and better postseason dub.
While players have various contractual incentives associated with
all manner of achievement, none of the Cowboys’ players should be
interested in such low-hanging postseason appeasement. The Pro Bowl
is the last place they want to be caught unless they have lost their
tournament entry shot.
Will They Or Won’t They?
“Everyone” who (many moons ago) proclaimed the eventual winner of
the NFC East would emerge from a late-season contest between the
Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles (two 7-7 playoff
contenders displaying the very least) . . . can take an
underwhelming bow and how.
While Dallas (even without the tremendously talented LVE) has
remained “relatively” healthy with only mental booboos with which to
contend, Philly has a mix of similar inconsistency and untimely
injury with which to quickly cook up a postseason recovery blend.
There is never any time – in pro sports – for excuses, especially
for these two potential tourney cabooses.
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- Will America’s Team
CHOOSE to reproduce the sense of urgency, relentless
performance, and potent production they so defiantly demonstrated at
home against L.A. (or – as has been their ONE
reliable 2019 theme – will the Cowboys “forget” how to play against
a comparatively banged up team)?
Will the Dallas Cowboys coach AND play 60 (more) minutes of strong,
relentless, and smart or will the Eagles be “allowed” to win through
their age-old, tried-and-true, often logic-defying “art of heart?”
For which NFC East team will this most critical of division games go
up in flames?
We shall see. We always do.
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