Dallas Cowboys still control their playoff fate

bacon smeller · Dec 22, 2008

IRVING — Almost as quickly as the Cowboys lost control of their postseason berth, it was handed back to them with near equal speed.

Thanks to the San Diego Chargers going into Tampa, Fla., on Sunday and becoming the first road team to win at the Buccaneers’ home this year, the Cowboys’ playoff chances look no different than before they lost to Baltimore on Saturday.

All they have to do is win.

If — and considering the Cowboys are 9-10 in coach Wade Phillips’ last 19 games, including the playoffs, that is a large if — the Cowboys defeat the Eagles on Sunday in Philadelphia, they will earn a playoff berth that before the season began was considered a given. (The early weather forecast in Philly for Sunday calls for rain and a high of 42 degrees.)

The Cowboys are 3-4 on the road, and at this point have established themselves as capable of winning any game, and losing any game, through a variety of painful methods. Sixteen weeks into the season the 2008 Cowboys have their identity — talented, yet maddeningly erratic.

Most puzzling among their traits is a celebrity offense that throughout the season has been off. The unit ranks a respectable ninth in the NFL, but the numbers don’t necessarily tell everything. Something isn’t there.

"It’s the offense as a whole. We are not in sync," receiver Terrell Owens said after the Cowboys’ 33-24 loss against the Ravens on Saturday night. "We are making a lot of mental mistakes, like delay of games. That’s communication. Things that have happened all year everybody has to focus in on."

The right Choice

Despite the presence of Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Marion Barber, Terrell Owens and Roy Williams, it is a rookie fourth-round pick who is the team’s best playmaker.

Of the 937 total yards the Cowboys’ offense has generated this month, Tashard Choice has 424 of them, or 45 percent.

That says good things about the Cowboys’ scouting department, as well as Choice. But it’s also a stinging indictment on the proven playmakers, Owens, Romo and others.

Romo’s December woes

Romo may dismiss the significance of this stat or that fast fact, but the perception that he does not play well down the stretch continues to gain merit. Romo is now 6-9 in December/January games with 16 touchdowns and 19 interceptions and has been sacked 34 times.

O-Line troubles

Choice’s 5.5 yard-per-carry average belies the play of an offensive line that has not been nearly as dominant as it was a season ago.

The Cowboys’ offense ranks 18th in time of possession. Romo has been sacked nine times this month and under constant pressure.

It should be noted that the Cowboys have faced three defenses that all rank in the top nine in sacks.

Good defenses

Romo made a valid point Saturday night when he noted not many teams move the ball against the likes of the Steelers, Giants and Ravens. The Steelers rank first in the NFL in defense, the Giants are sixth and the Ravens are second.

Garrett lost it?

Former Cowboy-turned-NFL Network talking head Deion Sanders has been telling anyone who will listen that the league has caught up to Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s play-calling. Who knows? Maybe Sanders is right.

Penalties, picks, fumbles

The Cowboys said as far back as August that if they just cut down on mistakes, they would be fine.

But that doesn’t mean they have done it, and they have never shown the ability they can.

They have been penalized 115 times for 911 yards — both figures lead the league. The team is minus-7 in turnover margin, 26th in the NFL.

Fat cats

Since every other theory has been floated, it is worth noting that except for fullback Deon Anderson and guard Kyle Kosier, the core players of this offense have signed long-term contract extensions; only Kosier and Anderson are not signed beyond 2010.
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http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/1107148.html

I hope that they can win on Sunday.

Mixx · Dec 23, 2008

We better bring our A-game or everything we worked for will be gone.

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Dallas Cowboys still control their playoff fate

bacon smeller The Baconater

Mixx JBB JustBBall Member

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Dallas Cowboys still control their playoff fate

bacon smeller The Baconater

Mixx JBB JustBBall Member

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