Post by ccboy on Dec 21, 2009 10:59:04 GMT -7
DMN:Dallas Cowboys face identical playoff scenario to 2008
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DMN:Dallas Cowboys face identical playoff scenario to 2008
Gerry Fraley
Here they are again.
A stirring December victory against a playoff-bound team. Two more regular-season games in which the Cowboys can put themselves into the playoffs.
It is "control our destiny" time redux for the Cowboys. They get a rare do-over.
With the win against previously unbeaten New Orleans on Saturday night, the Cowboys find themselves in the same situation as they were through 14 games last season. At 9-5, the Cowboys need only one more win and a New York Giants loss to get into the playoffs as a wild card. Two more wins would give them the NFC East title.
A year ago, they folded. After throttling the Giants, the Cowboys lost to Baltimore and Philadelphia and missed the playoffs. As good as the win at New Orleans was, the Cowboys still have to prove they can handle the crucible of December.
One win does not a reputation change.
"I want to stay away from that word 'December,' "defensive lineman Marcus Spears said after the win at New Orleans. "Let's just say we're playing to win one game at a time. To get this one was big, but we want to build on it.
"We plan on winning. We want to keep this thing rolling right into the playoffs."
As Cowboys coach Wade Phillips likes to say, every team and every season is different. There are comparisons to last year's club that suggest the Cowboys are in better position for the final push.
Start with the schedule. A year ago, the Cowboys had to run a finishing gantlet of three consecutive games against playoff teams. It's easier this time.
The Cowboys again have Philadelphia in the season finale, but it will be at home. Before that, they play at Washington next Sunday. The Cowboys labored to win the first meeting with Washington, but the Redskins (4-9) are not what Baltimore was last season.
"With the holidays going on, we have to do what we need to do not to have a letdown," safety Ken Hamlin said. "This was a big win, but this game won't mean a thing if we lose the next game."
A year ago, the defense failed the Cowboys. Baltimore and Philadelphia ripped apart the defense for 77 points in the final two games.
The current defense has allowed 81 points in the last five games. That includes only 37 points in the last two games against the turbo offenses of San Diego and New Orleans.
"I think we found out a great deal about our team," inside linebacker Keith Brooking of the New Orleans win. "The character we have. The fight we have. We came in [the Superdome] and nobody gave us much of a chance, but we stepped up big. A win like this obviously gives you more confidence."
The Cowboys self-destructed in the final two losses last season, committing seven turnovers. That included four turnovers by quarterback Tony Romo on a pair of interceptions and a pair of fumbles.
Romo has been surgically precise in this stretch run. He is on a streak of 156 consecutive passes without an interception. The offense, taking a cue from its quarterback, has not had a turnover in more than two games, a span of 174 plays.
"There were two outstanding quarterbacks on that field tonight," said owner-general manager Jerry Jones, referring to the matchup of Romo and New Orleans' Drew Brees. "But our No. 9 was the difference-maker. When you've got a guy like that, and a defense that holds them, you've got a chance to get something going this year."
The next step is one more win than last year's failed bunch.
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DMN:Dallas Cowboys face identical playoff scenario to 2008
Gerry Fraley
Here they are again.
A stirring December victory against a playoff-bound team. Two more regular-season games in which the Cowboys can put themselves into the playoffs.
It is "control our destiny" time redux for the Cowboys. They get a rare do-over.
With the win against previously unbeaten New Orleans on Saturday night, the Cowboys find themselves in the same situation as they were through 14 games last season. At 9-5, the Cowboys need only one more win and a New York Giants loss to get into the playoffs as a wild card. Two more wins would give them the NFC East title.
A year ago, they folded. After throttling the Giants, the Cowboys lost to Baltimore and Philadelphia and missed the playoffs. As good as the win at New Orleans was, the Cowboys still have to prove they can handle the crucible of December.
One win does not a reputation change.
"I want to stay away from that word 'December,' "defensive lineman Marcus Spears said after the win at New Orleans. "Let's just say we're playing to win one game at a time. To get this one was big, but we want to build on it.
"We plan on winning. We want to keep this thing rolling right into the playoffs."
As Cowboys coach Wade Phillips likes to say, every team and every season is different. There are comparisons to last year's club that suggest the Cowboys are in better position for the final push.
Start with the schedule. A year ago, the Cowboys had to run a finishing gantlet of three consecutive games against playoff teams. It's easier this time.
The Cowboys again have Philadelphia in the season finale, but it will be at home. Before that, they play at Washington next Sunday. The Cowboys labored to win the first meeting with Washington, but the Redskins (4-9) are not what Baltimore was last season.
"With the holidays going on, we have to do what we need to do not to have a letdown," safety Ken Hamlin said. "This was a big win, but this game won't mean a thing if we lose the next game."
A year ago, the defense failed the Cowboys. Baltimore and Philadelphia ripped apart the defense for 77 points in the final two games.
The current defense has allowed 81 points in the last five games. That includes only 37 points in the last two games against the turbo offenses of San Diego and New Orleans.
"I think we found out a great deal about our team," inside linebacker Keith Brooking of the New Orleans win. "The character we have. The fight we have. We came in [the Superdome] and nobody gave us much of a chance, but we stepped up big. A win like this obviously gives you more confidence."
The Cowboys self-destructed in the final two losses last season, committing seven turnovers. That included four turnovers by quarterback Tony Romo on a pair of interceptions and a pair of fumbles.
Romo has been surgically precise in this stretch run. He is on a streak of 156 consecutive passes without an interception. The offense, taking a cue from its quarterback, has not had a turnover in more than two games, a span of 174 plays.
"There were two outstanding quarterbacks on that field tonight," said owner-general manager Jerry Jones, referring to the matchup of Romo and New Orleans' Drew Brees. "But our No. 9 was the difference-maker. When you've got a guy like that, and a defense that holds them, you've got a chance to get something going this year."
The next step is one more win than last year's failed bunch.