Reality Check (Warning... Positive Post)

[nake]

To get to the playoffs, off the top of my head we need six things to happen, and probably a lot more:

1.) We need to score a lot of points
2.) Our defense has to get the ball back once or twice a game, and our DB's need to catch the ball when the opposing QB throws it right to them.
3.) No turnovers, no misreads by receivers that lead to picks, and Tony needs to watch for the linebackers sneaking over from right to left in coverage.
4.) We need to run the ball effectively enough to at least get the opposing defense leaning forward a bit.
5.) RHG needs to challenge bad spots and other mistakes by the officials, and he needs to manage the clock correctly at the end of the half and at the end of the game.
6.) Whatever time the bus leaves for the stadium from the hotel, we need to add an hour when giving Free the departure time.

[Nav22]

As soon as Dez's fingertips landed out of bounds vs the Giants, I felt like that was going to be the play that would haunt us all offseason... just like the incomplete deep ball to Austin last year vs the Giants haunted us this past offseason.

I hope like hell I'm wrong, obviously. Giants losing tonight was huge.

[Zordon]

Originally Posted by Zman5

If we play like yesterday and the Deadskins play like they played tonight, I don't see us beating them in cold January weather in Washington.

hey i'd just like to be in a position where that game means something. still a pretty good chance it doesn't.

[Zman5]

Originally Posted by links18

Its not like its Lambeau Field.

But yeah, hard to see a win in that scenario.

My concern is not how low the temperature may get but playing in possible snow or cold rainy day.

We are a passing team and they can run better than us. That's a advantage for them playing in cold and wet weather.

[Beast_from_East]

My prediction.................it all comes down to the last game of the season with the Skins, winner takes the division, loser goes home. Only see 1 team from the East going to the playoffs.


On the road against a Skins team that mauled us on Thanksgiving for the division.................cant say I am real confident at this moment, but at least the last game of the season will still mean something.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by Zman5

My concern is not how low the temperature may get but playing in possible snow or cold rainy day.

We are a passing team and they can run better than us. That's a advantage for them playing in cold and wet weather.

Gonna go out on a limb and say

Romo-Dez-Murray>RG3-Morris-Garcon

I'll take our triple headed monster over theirs in a pressure game.

[Hoofbite]

Originally Posted by Zordon

saints game worries me the most for that exact reason.

It's not like the Skins can't.

I'm worried about the Bengals. Their defense is on a tear right now. 4 sacks in each of the last 4 games and forcing turnovers. They have a tough DL and get pressure up the middle and on the edges. They're Redzone defense has only given up 1 TD on 8 attempts over the last 4 games, they blanked Oakland by not even allowing them in the Redzone and on the flipside they haven't been settling for FGs hardly at all on offense as they've converted on 13 of their last 17 trips.

Going east, early game, losing an hour on the trip and playing against a team that is peaking. Just a tough situation.

If the offense starts slow and the Bengals jump out to a lead and are able to pin their ears back because Dallas has to ditch running the ball, it's gonna be tough. Very tough.

The recent defensive performances for Dallas have been pretty bad. If they don't pick it up the Bengals will score early and rush the passer all out.

[Zman5]

Originally Posted by Zordon

hey i'd just like to be in a position where that game means something. still a pretty good chance it doesn't.

I agree.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by Beast_from_East

My prediction.................it all comes down to the last game of the season with the Skins, winner takes the division, loser goes home. Only see 1 team from the East going to the playoffs.


On the road against a Skins team that mauled us on Thanksgiving for the division.................cant say I am real confident at this moment, but at least the last game of the season will still mean something.

They didn't maul us. We mauled ourselves. We do the dumb things that gets you beat. We don't start playing until the second half.
This whole thread is predicated on us not doing that again.

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by Hoofbite

It's not like the Skins can't.

I'm worried about the Bengals. Their defense is on a tear right now. 4 sacks in each of the last 4 games and forcing turnovers. They have a tough DL and get pressure up the middle and on the edges. They're Redzone defense has only given up 1 TD on 8 attempts over the last 4 games, they blanked Oakland by not even allowing them in the Redzone and on the flipside they haven't been settling for FGs hardly at all on offense as they've converted on 13 of their last 17 trips.

Going east, early game, losing an hour on the trip and playing against a team that is peaking. Just a tough situation.

If the offense starts slow and the Bengals jump out to a lead and are able to pin their ears back because Dallas has to ditch running the ball, it's gonna be tough. Very tough.

[View Full Quote]The recent defensive performances for Dallas have been pretty bad. If they don't pick it up the Bengals will score early and rush the passer all out.

Look, I am committing to a week of positivity in the hopes that they don't do all that..

Let's get some positive mojo working!

[Beast_from_East]

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

They didn't maul us. We mauled ourselves. We do the dumb things that gets you beat. We don't start playing until the second half.
This whole thread is predicated on us not doing that again.

Yea, we have to start playing in the 1st quarter, we cant wait till half time against good teams.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

Okay, so the skins beat the Giants.

We are one game behind. We have a lot of issues on this team BUT can we bring them under control in time to make a push?

I think maybe the chips may be falling in our favor, at least in terms of getting some help.

So here is how this is setting up.

We play the Bengals next week and it is a winnable game. Not easily but winnable.

The Giants play the Saints at home. The way the Giants played tonight the Saints can take them.

The Skins play the Ravens. Ravens are tough so this time next week, we could be in a three way tie for the division with the skins having the tie breaker edge for now.

By the time we play our next game the Skins will have played the Browns (Worried that the Browns won't win but they could) and the Giants will have played at the Falcons. I think the Falcons will win.

The Steeler game could give us the lead IF we win.
[View Full Quote]
It all comes down to if we have the team that can catch lightning in a bottle or will we be the same old same old.

Our last two games are the Saints and the Skins. We will need to play the best ball of the year but with some help along the way from other teams we might...just might sneak into the tournament.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I could see this playing out. I would just hate to get this far only to be heart-broken again, so I may take the conservative approach and expect us to do what we historically do.

[Staxxxx]

Don't forget that Seattle's starting corners are likely going to be suspended their final 3 games of the season. Minnesota is in a tailspin and we hold the tie breaker with Tampa.

I think 10-6 will do it but I'm not convinced we have to win out to get in. Although a lot would have to fall right for us to get in at 9-7.

[links18]

Originally Posted by Hoofbite

I

Going east, early game, losing an hour on the trip and playing against a team that is peaking. Just a tough situation.

Ah, the one time zone over excuse. I've heard it all now.


Just messing with you dude!

[Heisenberg]

Basically, the playoffs have started for the Cowboys. Any loss would be crushing and I think would probably end our chances.