WoodysGirl
10-03-2010, 10:26 AM
By JAIME ARON (AP) – 10 hours ago
IRVING, Texas — Checking the standings is a foolproof way to see how teams are doing. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips uses another test to gauge how good they really are.
Phillips finds the score of every game when it was truly decided to help decipher those wins and losses. His research is rooted in the notion that the best teams put games away early and, when they lose, they're in it to the end.
By that measure, his club is doing just fine, even at 1-2 going into their bye weekend.
The Cowboys were driving for the go-ahead or tying touchdown on their last possession in both losses. In their win, last Sunday at Houston, they led 24-6 when all but die-hard viewers lost interest.
While Phillips gladly would trade a close loss for a narrow win, the way Dallas won the last game leads him to believe things will fall into place. The defense made a goal line stand and finally came up with a turnover — three, actually; the offense had touchdown drives of 74, 80 and 90 yards; and kicker David Buehler had his first game without a miss, nailing field goals from 40 and 49 yards.
"That was our true identity," safety Gerald Sensabaugh said. "This football team really can play."
Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jn_OJarx-5NCYeNdVu7XxR_W9CvgD9IK0S500?docId=D9IK0S500
IRVING, Texas — Checking the standings is a foolproof way to see how teams are doing. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips uses another test to gauge how good they really are.
Phillips finds the score of every game when it was truly decided to help decipher those wins and losses. His research is rooted in the notion that the best teams put games away early and, when they lose, they're in it to the end.
By that measure, his club is doing just fine, even at 1-2 going into their bye weekend.
The Cowboys were driving for the go-ahead or tying touchdown on their last possession in both losses. In their win, last Sunday at Houston, they led 24-6 when all but die-hard viewers lost interest.
While Phillips gladly would trade a close loss for a narrow win, the way Dallas won the last game leads him to believe things will fall into place. The defense made a goal line stand and finally came up with a turnover — three, actually; the offense had touchdown drives of 74, 80 and 90 yards; and kicker David Buehler had his first game without a miss, nailing field goals from 40 and 49 yards.
"That was our true identity," safety Gerald Sensabaugh said. "This football team really can play."
Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jn_OJarx-5NCYeNdVu7XxR_W9CvgD9IK0S500?docId=D9IK0S500