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My belief system when it comes to the Cowboys

The more I think I know about the 'Boys the more I realize I don't know much guys.

This season has been full of the unexpected. We went from Super Bowl contenders, to bottom dwellers in the division, to hot team of the moment to fighting to make the playoffs.

So I'm not going to make any predictions about what's going to happen tomorrow. I have no idea. I'm obviously rooting for a Cowboy win. But I thought we'd beat the Giants, as I explained here, and I thought we'd lose to the Steelers (although I was pleasently surprised when we were on the cusp of winning that game). I also thought we'd smack the Rams and beat the Ravens (as I explained here). Yeah. Not so much.

I do believe certain things will take place though. I do believe there are certain inescapable realities all Cowboy fans are aware of. I've watched this team all year. I'm well aware of our strengths and weaknesses. I just don't know how we'll balance that dynamic from game-to-game. Will the things we do well carry us to victory? Or will our mistakes doom us to another heartbreak? We had penalties on the road against the Redskins, but Romo's playmaking and MB3's toughness overwhelmed those mistakes. Our defense played valiantly against the Steelers but our disconnect on offense was the deciding factor in that game.

These are the 10 things I believe will happen regardless of the outcome Sunday:

I believe Jason Witten will play and make plays

He's our most reliable receiver and always has been. He's just a tough-as-nails SOB. He's dealt with a myriad of injuries yet he keeps coming back.

I believe Romo will make plays and give us a chance to win

He always does. He plays well on the road and he's 8-4 as the starter this year. He was heating up toward the end of the Ravens game and I believe it will continue Sunday.

I believe Romo will throw an interception or otherwise have a turnover

He's one of the leaders in interceptions thrown this year. One of his few flaws is his proclivity to fumble or throw maddening picks. He's done it all year. It will continue

I believe Tashard Choice will have more than 100 yards in total offense

This guy continues to thrive against the best defenses in the league. He was oh-so-close from breaking a few runs against the Ravens.

I believe DeMarcus Ware will have a sack

This guy will find a way to get to the QB. He has all year and I don't see it stopping now.

I believe Flozell Adams will have a false start penalty and it will be critical

Talented guy that's overcome a lot in his career. But this is almost a given.

I believe we will have more penalties than the Eagles

We are one of the most penalized teams in the league. Hopefully it won't cost us a playoff spot.

I believe someone will be injured in this game

We're like the walking wounded. Everybody's dealing with injuries: Romo, Witten, MB3, Hamlin, KD, RW2 and the list goes on and on. I'm certain the injury Gods will forsake us again

Nick Folk will nail any critical FG

This guy's a stud and kept us in many games this year. If the game is on the line, so sorry for you Eagles fans. That's a wrap.

Our offensive line will allow pressure on Romo

We've had problems all year. There were definite problems in the Steelers, Ravens and Giants game. Some rushers will come free and Romo will have to make the play regardless. 

Star-divide

Our season changed for the better once we started getting after the QB, something I wrote about here. This week is no different. If we put McNabb on his butt enough times we will be in the playoffs. We all know who's the best man for that job.

IRVING — DeMarcus Ware looks at Sunday’s game at Philadelphia with only getting to the playoffs on his mind.

Personally, though, Ware has plenty at stake.

Ware is three sacks from the single-season NFL record. And one more solid defensive performance also could help him cement the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

He doesn’t want to talk about the individual stuff, but it will greatly impact the team’s opportunity to make the playoffs. If the Dallas Cowboys are able to knock off the Eagles, Ware will likely need his fingerprints all over the performance.

So an individual goal could help reach a team goal.

"It will be really nice [to do both]," Ware said. "If you do one, the other one will follow."

 

Video version of Jerry Jones' diatribe just in case you haven't seen it (which I doubt). Rafael elaborates on the subject here. I don't know why the media refuses to believe this man (on a sidenote did you see Spags behind Jones? I'm starting to play the Where's Spags game during all Dallas pressers). He's pretty much said this all year. So we've had months of stories about Wade being on the hot seat and that has all been based on speculation.

I will say this. Tom Coughlin, who's team just won a Super Bowl, had a tumultuous and, I would argue, less successful start with the Giants than Wade has had with the 'Boys. He went 6-10 his first year and watched his team lose six out of its last seven games (due to rookie Eli Manning's struggles). He lost a home playoff game the following year and then dealt with Tiki Barber's criticism of his playcalling. The next year his team lost seven of their last nine games, which included going 2-3 in December. The media would also call the team "divided" due to Barber's antics. The next year he'd win the Super Bowl.

The fans and the media had been calling for Coughlin's head for years. I've seen the moniker "DieCoughlinDie" on many Giant fan blogs. They were talented but inconsistent, personalities seemed to clash in the lockerroom and they struggled at times in December. Sound familiar? Despite this general manager Ernie Accorsi and then Jerry Reese stuck with Coughlin, giving him the opportunity to finally prove he could do it.

Maybe Jerry's on to something.

  

Marcellus Wiley yells "Joe Juraszek! Off with his head!"

 

DeSean Jackson is fast, explosive (but not incendiary), brash and has dealt with the dropsies on more than one occassion. He deserves our attention because he's their best receiver (which is saying something) and he played well against us earlier this year.

The Jackson File

Strengths: Playmaker who possesses breakaway speed and is a dangerous deep threat. Also potential to be an elite NFL return man.

Weaknesses: Drops and brashness. He had four drops last week in the loss to Washington, including a potential game-tying touchdown catch in the final minute.

Season: Rookie

Size: 5-foot-10, 175 pounds

College: California

Who has to stop him? The Cowboys could employ a past strategy of using cornerback Terence Newman to shadown the opponent's top speed threat all over the field. Newman did that against Washington’s Santana Moss and Pittsburgh’s Santonio Holmes.

  

I hate to go back to the Ravens game but I'm still dumbfounded that Anthony Henry couldn't cover a one-armed man or that Marcus Spears could get pushed so far out of the play that he'd take out Bradie James. Or that James would get pancaked by a fullback. I won't even talk about Hamlin.

Sorry. I had to vent on that one.

  

Video of the Cowboys season, with an emphasis on more of our struggles than our successes. There has been ups and downs that's for sure. Hopefully we can end it on a high note.

  

Do we bring Tank Johnson back?

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A 1-3 December

Romo will find another way to lose, he may not even compete, and Tex will be calling for the immediate dismissal of Wade Phillips and his sidekick, the beleaguered Brian Stewart. What a way to finish up another disappointing season… the two biggest tanks in all of sports go head-to-head, Choke vs. McChoke. By the time Troy Aikman was the same age as our divorcee-chasing QB (29), he’d won three Super Bowls. Tony Romo is simply the best QB never to win a playoff game.

by Montecito Tex on Dec 27, 2008 11:22 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Hey that's not fair

to McNabb…at least he’s 7-5 in the playoffs.

by DavidH22 on Dec 27, 2008 12:40 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

By the time Aikman was 29

he’d already handed the ball off to Emmitt 2400 times, been protected by the likes of Newton, Allen, Williams and Stepnoski, and watched Joe Avenazzo’s special teams score 10-15 touchdowns.

by DavidH22 on Dec 27, 2008 12:46 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

So true...

…but he still excelled in the clutch, still made wise decisions, and still made plays when needed.

They were ALL prime contributors.

And that’s the way our current group of Cowboys have to be.

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Dec 27, 2008 12:53 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

That's funny,

becuase I can remember whenever the Cowboys were down in the fourth quarter the game always seemd to be over as far as I was concerned.

Aikman may have had 5 comebacks in the fourth quater, but I don’t remember ANY of them.

Feel free to refresh my memory.

by elharpo on Dec 27, 2008 1:45 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Technically the 1996 NFC Title game would qualify as an Aikman comeback.

Although Emmitt was obviously the catalyst. But I do believe Aikman was perfect on the 90-plus yard drive that gave the Cowboys the lead and after they got the ball back following a Favre interception Aikman had a 30-plus yard completion to Irvin that led to them going up for good, 38-27. Something I think can’t be understated though is that virtually everytime a ball was up for grabs between Irvin and the defenders he could be trusted to go and get it. Who does this current Cowboys bunch have that Romo can consistently trust to find the ball in a similarly up-for-grabs clusterfudge like that besides Witten?

by MadMick on Dec 27, 2008 10:18 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

If Romo doesn't show up tomorrow I will have to agree with Montecito.

Enjoy the game Tex, with a glass of your favorite, Chardonay.

We're down but not out. Keep the faith.

by Captain Comeback on Dec 27, 2008 2:03 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

27-17...

That’s what I think the final score will be. Unfortunately I think it will be the Eagles on the winning side. :-(

Man I hope I’m wrong.

0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.

by gee-roj on Dec 27, 2008 11:39 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I

honestly think the only way the Boys lose the game … is if they beat themselves. LET’S GO COWBOYS!!!

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 27, 2008 11:48 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

unfortunately

Dallas has had a propensity to do that this year … Steelers pick 6, Ravens back-to-back 80-yard rushing TDs, penalties/turnovers and offensive line miscues, the list goes on.

by MeanMr.Mustard on Dec 27, 2008 11:53 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

if we pressure mcnabb

we win
we can put up enough points
if we call the right plays
and give the ball to Choice (i say we let barber sit this one out and rest)
our d will hopefully rebound after the abysmal 4th qtr against the ravens
and we’ll make the playoffs
then, we’ll just have to win the first playoff game then more on from there

Superbowl or Bust?

by MrMinority on Dec 27, 2008 11:59 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

As I have said "IF"

There are simply too many “ifs” attached to this team

If this, IF that, If whatever… It is a sign that you have doubts.

IF you had confidence, game predictions and expectations would not all be prefixed with conditionals. Instead you’d say something like:

The ’Boys WILL put pressure on McNabb, pick a couple of passes, own the time of possession and outscore this inferior team 2 to 1.

It’s not funny, but no one is saying things like that. No one is confident, including the fans, players, coaches and owner.

Don’t give me any BS about fueling the other team with bulletin board material. Fear of the other team’s BB is a sign of weakness. If you are confident about yourself, you don’t care what the other team thinks, just ask George Seifert.

As Romo we go

by wasmarcus on Dec 27, 2008 1:00 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

i'm pretty sure that

if we score more point, we win.

just mho

I commented. You're welcome.

another transplant from The Blue & Silver Report

by bulldog jeeper on Dec 27, 2008 2:38 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree and disagree with Sterling Sharpe of NFL Network.

I agree that the Dallas Cowboys have to play angry this Sunday against Philly.

I disagree that da Boyz will win.

At Philly.

With a lot on the line.

We’re gonna choke again.

Like Gee-Roj, I hope I’m wrong…

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Dec 27, 2008 12:56 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Tank Johnson

Will not be back.

I think we win, because we have decided to play more press coverage, this will help us stop the short passes of the west coast offense.

If Romo’s golden right hand is healthy, put us down for a victory.

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Dec 27, 2008 1:16 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

truer words have never been wriiten TH

Amen brother

I believe Romo will make plays and give us a chance to win

He always does

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 27, 2008 1:53 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

As much as the cowboys make me doubt their abilities

and as crazy as they’ve driven me all year, I am stunned at the amount of people on this thread picking the eagles to win. Newsflash fellas, this team just SCORED 3 POINTS against the redskins. They are by far the WORST team we have played this month and it will take a wall to wall meltdown by the cowboys to lost this game.

Now, that is entirely possible but I still think the betting man has to go with the boys on this one.

by Billito on Dec 27, 2008 2:12 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

if the Boys win

I see it more like 27-20 …..

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 27, 2008 2:18 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

One more thing, Flozel will...

get called for motion on a Tony Romo kneel down play with time running out. Cowboys will survive the penalty, 34/10 as I said.

by CowboyMan on Dec 27, 2008 2:20 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly

Eagles are the most inconsistent team in the league

by Burt88 on Dec 27, 2008 2:39 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

wall to wall meltdown

Don’t worry, the iggles will be eliminated by kickoff and we’ll give you a free beatdown for xmas. careful what you wish for remember posting this – eat your words – dallas sucks get used to it yet another year comes and goes with no playoff win for romo and to again it was a beatdown you were right about that …… dallas sucks

"My first and foremost goal is to win a Super Bowl. I also set goals in terms of having a type of year to make the Pro Bowl. If I'm going to the Pro Bowl, I know I'm making plays for the team." Brian Dawkins

by EAGLE_MAN71 on Dec 29, 2008 1:46 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

what did dukes say?

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Dec 27, 2008 2:25 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

If we win...

I agree with Raf that all those things will happen. I also think we win a close game or we lose big. I think we’ll know by midway through the first quarter how well we’ll do. The D will play great, the O has to show up.

by staubachfan on Dec 27, 2008 5:17 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Which Ever Teams Runs The Ball Effectively Will Win.

Unfortunately for us, Garrett hates to establish the running game. However, Andy Reid has the same tendencies but at least he learns from his mistakes. And also it helps that the Philly media and fans are calling out Reid to run the ball more for tomorrow’s game.

~Texas Massacre 08~

by TheHeat on Dec 27, 2008 8:49 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

We will win, and we will get in.

Ah what the hell, I feel like being bold.

As poorly as we played against the Ravens, the Eagles were worse against the flailing Redskins. And being at home in front of their fickle fans is no advantage for the Eagles.

Come and whisper in my ear, give us dirty laundry - ESPN

by Nelson... on Dec 28, 2008 9:28 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

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