It Isn't JUST About December
by dfan77 on Nov 18, 2009 1:29 AM CST
46 comments
It's about November and January, more than anything.
Sure, if we win out in December, we're probably golden. The problem is, 3 of our 4 December games look brutal.
12/6 at Giants
12/13 vs. Chargers
12/19 at Saints
12/27 at Redskins
Okay, I've said this before and, while I'm a huge fan, I see serious problems ahead with those first three games. Yes, even the Chargers, folks. The Giants and Chargers will both be finding their stride again (the Chargers already are), and they will have serious things to play for, just like us. Even the Redskins, in MD, might present an issue, if our confidence is shaken after a few losses.
I personally have gone on record as saying we lose all three. If it happens, the MSM will freak out, pointing to "December" again. Many of the posters here will freak out too. Everyone will point fingers.
But you see, it's already pretty easy to predict.
And while it would be bad, it's not everything. What people forget about is the "rest of November" (yes, there's life after GB).
While they are not gimmes (nothing is), wins against Oakland and Washington should be manageable. That makes us 8-3.
1-3 in December? We're 9-6 and probably right on the cusp.
January matters -- one game, against the Eagles, in Texas.
Win and in -- probably. Lose, based on the other predictions? We're gone.
So yeah, December matters. But November and January are key here, too. Seems obvious now, but it won't be at the end of the season.
I wonder if people are still wondering why I called ATL a must-win game? ;)
Anyway, my two cents. Cheers and go Boys.
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Left this out
Sorry, failed to summarize. My overall point is this: we might have another weak December, but NOT due to a meltdown — just because we’re playing highly qualified teams. As such, these wins against Oakland and Washington, and Philly later — and sadly, our loss against GB — well, they are paramount.
December might not cost us much if the Boys keep their heads on right.
by dfan77 on Nov 18, 2009 1:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
They can't lose 3 of 4
and not get called out for a meltdown. This team has more talent than Washington and SD and, at least on this blog, is at par with NO and NY. Playing up to their potential means that they win at least two of four—anything less is a failure to win games that they should be able to win if they’re really the contender that we think they are. Yeah, it’s a tough schedule and that makes it different from losing to the Lions as in Decembers past. But how can you predict losses to all three tough games and still hold out any hope of going far in the playoffs? If they lose 3 of 4 in December and still make the Super Bowl, then I won’t call it a meltdown—but 1-and-done means I want Wade’s head and start to believe in the perception of Romo as a choker.
by greatwhitenorth on Nov 18, 2009 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Corrections
I didn’t say they could lose all three and NOT get called out for a meltdown. In fact, I said the opposite: "I personally have gone on record as saying we lose all three. If it happens, the MSM will freak out, pointing to “December” again. Many of the posters here will freak out too. Everyone will point fingers."
Just to be clear, too, I didn’t say anything about their chances to go deep in the playoffs. I didn’t say anything about their playoff performance at all, in fact. However, I do happen to agree that — if we lose all three and then still manage to make the post-season — that scenario won’t bode well for our playoff performance.
by dfan77 on Nov 18, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no they can't lose three out of four
They will lose perhaps all four games. this december will break the Cow Boys and it will be one less team the teams trying for the playoffs have to worry about. Two of the teams they are playing look like they are superbowl bound. the redskins are always tough and the way thay handles the Broncos while the pack shut you guys down. that is no guarentee win.
grammer geeks you make me sick
by angryandy on Nov 20, 2009 8:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Please explain
How the giants are hitting their stride? Because they had a bye week and the cowboys and eagles lost? That’s weak.
I see a W against the skins, raiders and giants to bring us to 9-3. The we lose to the chargers and saints and beat the skins to sit at 10-5. We should have at least a one game lead over the iggles with the tiebreak in our back pocket so a repeat of last year’s meltdown seems unlikely.
I see us at 11-5 best case, 9-7 worst case but any more injuries like Columbo’s and we are toast.
by Billito on Nov 18, 2009 7:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Let me rephrase that
because I don’t want to sound douchy. What evidence do you have that the giants will hit their stride? I have seen nothing this year that indicates that they are the same team that won it all a few years ago and Manning obviously misses plax wayy more than he said.
by Billito on Nov 18, 2009 9:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I understand what you are saying, but at this point of the season in 2007, no one would have predicted the giants to win the Super Bowl
They were not even a lock for the playoffs
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on Nov 18, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Personally
I think the Giants still have enough talent, and solid enough coaching, to get back on track. They beat up on good teams early, and their D has been exposed, but ultimately they will restore order — they are fundamentally talented enough to do that.
Do I think they’ll be fighting to get to 9-7 or even 10-6? You bet. Do I think Manning misses Plax way more than he lets on? Yep. But the Giants will still be in the competition mix on 12/6, playing us at home, and I think it will be a serious dogfight.
by dfan77 on Nov 18, 2009 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"They beat up on good teams early?"
Which good teams did they beat up on exactly?
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Nov 18, 2009 6:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
my mistake
obviously meant “bad teams”
by dfan77 on Nov 18, 2009 10:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually think Dallas will beat San Diego...
Wade has firsthand knowledge on that team’s defense and I expect them to win an inter-conference classic.
The 2009 Dallas Cowboys: Talk to me in December.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.
by gee-roj on Nov 18, 2009 7:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t see the Chargers as a win. They run an aggresive 3-4, which has been killing us up to this point. They have a vertical passing game that is one of the best in the league. It’d take our best game to win that one… And at this point, I have little faith in that happening.
by tkosmith on Nov 18, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
NO is only team I am scared of...
NY has a bad defense and I think if our offense doesn’t sell out our defense with short fields from turnovers, we win that game. As for SD, this game is a little tougher. However it is at home and I think that we can stop their offense with a game plan similar to the one that was effective against Philly. Both games will be tough, but both are winnable and I think this is a better Dallas team than the one that feel apart down the stretch last year. I still think this year’s record will be 11-5.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Nov 18, 2009 9:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Cowboys have to beat the Giants on Dec 6
if they have any chance of winning the East and I think their chances are good. Teams have proven recently that the GMen have flaws which can be exposed and plus we need to avenge some pay back for giving them our home opener.
Chargers and Saints are not important games if we beat the Giants so long as we beat the Skins and Eagles to close out the season.
IMO, 3-2 finish wins us the division assuming we take of business next week.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 18, 2009 3:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We can beat the Giants
…but we won’t sweep the Eagles.
You’re dead wrong.The Chargers and Saints ARE important games because the Eagles lost to both of them and getting a win against either (since we already won one against Philly) is just like beating the Eagles head-to-head again.
I wouldn’t want to play the Chargers right now. They are rolling and Merriman is starting to play well.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 18, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
And now it’s obvious that for some reason or another Dallas has a problem with 3-4 defenses.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Nov 18, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They are tough to run on!
You have to be able to consistently complete passes to the middle of the field against a 3-4.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 20, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
Cowboys can sweep the Eagles.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 19, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You also said we'd be 5-0, 9-2 blah blah blah
Your record of prognostication is as good as Hammerin’ Hank!
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 20, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ha!
You just hit on my biggest concern, Terry. If we lose the first three December games — and yes, that’s still a big “if” — can we pull it back together to win the final two? Or do we fall apart completely?
All just fun and speculation for now. Go Boys!
by dfan77 on Nov 18, 2009 5:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
we fall apart, the Giants game is a must win regardless
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 19, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We NEVER want a game against the Eagles
…to determine our playoff chances. We’ve proven that when it comes to beating Andy Reid when the post-season is riding on it, we don’t.
He is 14-7 against us and our best bet is to assume that we split the season series with them and win more of our common opponent games than they do.
If that last Philly game decides who goes to the playoffs, I doubt even BTB’ers would put money on Dallas.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 18, 2009 5:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't put money on Dallas ever
but I would in that scenario. No way they let it happen two years in a row. I believe in my boys, 5Blings, I believe!
by sduncan24 on Nov 18, 2009 9:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Niner fans said that when we played them in the second consecutive NFC Championship in the 90's
Hang onto your money brother!!!
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 20, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
meh
Philly is not nearly as scary to me, but then again, this is before their patented december run.
That teams looks far from complete.
by foyesboys on Nov 19, 2009 12:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
they were even less talented last year
It’s not the TEAM or the talent level in those games. I keep telling you, it’s the coaching and leadership.
Reid > Winnie
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 20, 2009 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
not the last game we played them
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 20, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Now I get it
You live in PA because of your crappy betting record. Lost that mansion in Turtle Creek, eh?
It’s all clear now.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 20, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I rarely bet, only when I'm in vegas
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 20, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't have too much faith in the rest of this division right now.
The only thing that matters to me right now is our next two games. Oakland is very winnable – first, they’r awful and second, we play well on thanksgiving. Washington is gonna be a battle.
If we can win that physical game (and it will be a physical game) that washington has pretty consistently beaten us in in the last 3 years, we will be fine.
Get to the half-second bye week at 8-3, and I think we will have a 2 game lead over the rest of the division. I think we will have an opportunity to kick the giants out of the division race the following week. But it all starts with Washington.
by foyesboys on Nov 19, 2009 12:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Let me get this straight
You’re saying that if we win over Oakland and Washington, “we will be fine”?
Because that’s what you said.
Oakland beat Philly with a sub-par QB. Oakland has just switched QBs, which might (or might not) give them some new life.
But seriously, if we beat Oakland and Washington, “we will be fine”?
Please check your sanity meter.
by dfan77 on Nov 19, 2009 3:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if we get to 8-3, that would mean we can assure the playoffs by beating the Giants and Eagles in December
to ensure divisional ties, or else get three more wins to reach 11-5.
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 19, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't bet on 5-2 down the stretch
…because that would be a “stretch”.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
by 5Blings on Nov 20, 2009 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's very doable, you can't deny that
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 20, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
as funny as it might sound, Oakland will not be an easy roll over
their team is very talented, just organizationally challenged
by dcfanz on Nov 21, 2009 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Oakland is what Arizona used to be, team full of first round tallent, but cant get it together
by dcfanz on Nov 21, 2009 7:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
not this year they won't
Can’t win in this league without a good qb
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Nov 22, 2009 11:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
C'mon dawgz, represent here...
We got dinged up in GreenBay, and except for the one win, so we really dont need to feel so bad…i mean we did to Philly what needed to be done…I personally like our chance against the scary teams…We always compete very agressively against them…Im almost certain we can beat the chargers in Dallas, and Im saying we will be the team to de-throne the Saints and mar their run at a perfect season…Philly is licking their chops at being just one game behind us(personally, in all the minds of people who watched the game that game was taken from us by the officials)lllJMO, but those two turnovers(one overturned, and the Felix Jones recovery) were what gave the GB Peckers that game…but granted, and credit given they were desperate, and we werent hungry enough when they served lunch to us…and we lost…but I personally like our chances of making the Playoffs, and making a run for the SuperBowl…The Vikes are just 2 games ahead of us, and they are very beatable…And its going to be a long way down for the Saints but they will fall…that is my prediction…
FEAR THE STAR
by Hawgz, Bugz, and FilthyFowl Hater on Nov 19, 2009 3:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Peckers?
I was in junior high many years ago. That was 1977. Please stop with the “Peckers,” “Gnats,” “Feagles,” and “Soy Willy.” It’s gay and it makes me think you’re a hormonal 14 year old bandwagoner.
Don’t complain about the officials, unless you’re willing to become an Eagles fan. Our bar is higher than that, ok? Cowboys rise and fall on our talent — we don’t seek excuses.
If you seriously think we can make a deep run and win the Super Bowl, you’re nuts. I’m not a hater — it just isn’t happening this year, without some dramatic changes and luck.
Is there cause for optimism? Of course? Could we get our first playoff win in years? Damn straight.
But don’t go mistaking blind Homerism for actual fanhood.
And yep. I’m representing.
Dawgz.
by dfan77 on Nov 19, 2009 3:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ahhh, dfan77...
I like the way you worded that cause in effect you discounted and made a redundant statement…Whereas I am an optimist and a HOMER, you choose to be a pessimist(your choice, right or wrong, my friend)…But if like you said if we dont have dramatic changes(something we can help, and improve with practice, and a sharpening of skills), and some luck(things we often cannot, and do not have any control over) we will not go either far into the playoffs, or the SuperBowl…Its your choice to believe that we “rise and fall on our talent” and while the stats often cannot back you up, because by all official stats we were supposed to win that game, it in effect turned on a few lucky calls…Do you honestly believe that the fumble by Romo wasnt a mistake an an objective situation that many in Dallas believe was the turning point on the game…It was a lucky call for the Peckers…Im not making excuses for the Cowboys losses, I just want to give a point of view, and wether you like it or dont, well that also is your choice…I happen to disagree with you, I honestly think we have the talent to go to the SuperBowl…If I didnt, I would still hold out hope…Do you honestly think the Giants had any idea, or really, really thought they would go to the SuperBowl in 2007, and then actually believe they might and eventually would win it?…Do you actually believe that without LUCK they would have won the SuperBowl?…I think not my friend…1). Game 9 that season they were a 5-4 team and holding little hope that they would even make the playoffs…2). All year long their fans had called for Coughlin, and Mannings head, 3).When asked if they thought that their Giants could win the SuperBowl against the Patriots, 62.5% of their fan based said NO, or Probably not….I dont know if I would say your a bandwagon fan or not, only you can really say wether or not you are…ME however, I choose to be a sideline to sideline, HOMER fan…and that is MY CHOICE…
FEAR THE STAR
by Hawgz, Bugz, and FilthyFowl Hater on Nov 19, 2009 8:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Late reply
But I didn’t bother with this til now. Remember the old Charlie Brown movies, with the teacher who sounded like “wha wha wha”? That’s what your reply sounds like.
When you can put together a literate, constructive and intelligent response, let me know. Til then, I will simply laugh at you.
How’s your trailer doing?
by dfan77 on Nov 27, 2009 4:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
All things are possible.
Will we make the playoffs- I think so. Will we go deep- not the way we are playing right now. Can that be corrected- no doubt. Will it be corrected – Should be. Is there a chance at a Superbowl run- all things are possible.
by oldboysfan on Nov 22, 2009 4:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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