For all the 5-7 teams, every game may well end up being must wins. However, since I don't see Dallas beating Philly, I think the other three games have to be won. 7-9 won't cut it, and I think there will be an 8-8 team that doesn't make it. The Saints defense has been horrible this year. If Dallas can't move the ball against them, I'm afraid that they don't deserve the playoffs. This concerns me because you could have said the same thing about the Packers game. Fortunately, we aren't playing against Brett Favre. McCallister hasn't had quite the year everyone expected, but he can still be dangerous. The strategy against Seattle was to stop Alexander and that was done, although at the expense of some good numbers by Hasselbeck. It worked (barely). I wonder what the strategy will be against New Orleans. Newman really has to step up and hold his ground a little more this game. If Horn and company can walk all over him, Dallas doesn't stand a chance. I was proud of the front four last game. Their pressure shortened Hasselbeck's passes. Hopefully they can keep it up.
I will be rooting for those saints, but only cuz cowboys still have tiebreaker on bears, i know it is unlikely to matter, but just in case
To win, the Cowboys will simply have to avoid turnovers and run the ball to control the clock and keep their defense fresh. Do that and the Saints will beat themselves. They always do.
It scares me because the Saints have never won in Dallas (0-9). They are due to pull the trigger on the Cowboys season.
Inconsistency is the only consistent trait this team has at this point in its development so a guess is all I can offer. IF: Julius has another 150 yd game = stop the Saints pass rush - WE Win OUR D gets a pass rush going = helps our struggling secondary - WE WIN WE get a nice lead early to get inside thier heads(14 points would be nice) - WE WIN WE dont turn the ball over - WE WIN IF: Deuce Mcallister gets more yds than Julius or the same - WE LOSE Thier D gets pressure on Vinny = INT's - WE LOSE WE kick field goals instead of scoring TD's - WE lose If we come into this game thinking WE are somehow destined to win and go to the playoffs versus realizing we are DAMN lucky to just still be in the playoff race - WE LOSE My gut says we lose because thier record belies thier talent level and they are going to be charged up to beat the Boys and get the losing monkey off thier backs. Thier coach is going to be fired after the season, or maybe before if they lose Sunday, so the motivation factor is not a problem for them, they have nothing more to lose so they will pull out the whole offensive and defensive reperatoire until they find something that works. Just my 2 cents. Later.....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tuna)</div><div class='quotemain'>Thier coach is going to be fired after the season, or maybe before if they lose Sunday, so the motivation factor is not a problem for them, they have nothing more to lose so they will pull out the whole offensive and defensive reperatoire until they find something that works.</div> Bleedblk&gld, whats the news down there. Are the players pro-coach, or are they ready to send Haslett packing?
The Saints (4-8) are facing a world of turmoil after losing four of their last five games, fueling speculation that head coach Jim Haslett will be fired at season's end. There are rumors the team has quit on its beleaguered coach, and losing by an average of 15.3 points in four losses since the Saints' bye week has certainly done nothing to dispel those rumblings. At 4-8, the Saints are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but they can ill afford anymore losses. Haslett is hanging on to the team's bleak playoff chances in what could amount to his last remaining games with the Saints. Credit to Dallascowboys.com
