3-1 vs AFC North

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I respect the AFC North division. And the way they play football. So I am VERY proud of how we played them this year. And to think we would have swept them had Bailey made that FG in OT in Baltimore. And that was when Baltimore NEVER lost games at home. This team is developing some toughness. Especially when you consider how many injuries we have had to overcome!

 

[pupulehaole]

Have we ever beat the Ravens?

 

[StylisticS]

Have we ever beat the Ravens?

Nope.

 

[demdcowboys#1]

Should have been 4-0! So close.

 

[dfense]

Just thought I'd throw it out there. Dallas was a missed kick away from sweeping that division. Not too bad.

Rest of division against the North

Commanders 2-2
Eagles 2-2
Giants 1-2 (play Ravens sunday)

Cowboys 3-1

Go Ravens

 

[WoodysGirl]

It'd be nice if we can go 3-1 against the NFC South too....

 

[Direwolf63]

I respect the AFC North division. And the way they play football. So I am VERY proud of how we played them this year. And to think we would have swept them had Bailey made that FG in OT in Baltimore. And that was when Baltimore NEVER lost games at home. This team is developing some toughness. Especially when you consider how many injuries we have had to overcome!

I've read your past posts about the Cowboys don't have an identity. That one of the biggest problems they have is that they don't know who they are or how to react in adversity. Those were excellent posts and I largely agreed with them.

In this recent run though, I'm starting to see some of what may have been missing before.

This team, win or lose, fights to the end. They never quit. While they still make lots of mistakes (penalties), they seem to be able to overcome them better than before. The past couple of years they found ways to lose games. This group is finding ways to win them.

They have tons of injuries, but that doesn't bring them down emotionally. They keep fighting. Being 7 points down in the 4th quarter is no longer teh end of the world, it's an opportunity to fight back.

I don't think this team is playoff material. I just think there are too many injuries and the talent remaining on the field just won't be able to get it done at the end.

But I like what the intanglibles they are developing. And I think this will bold the team well when the inured guys come back.

Agreed? No?

 

[RastaRocket]

Should have been 4-0! So close.

All I hope for is we don't go back to reflect on these one possession shoulda/coulda/woulda games at the end of the season like we have been recently.

LETS GO COWBOYS!!!! :starspin

 

[BourbonBalz]

We drug the Ravens up and down the field all day. The only reason we lost that game was penalties turning TDs into field goals. Well, that and terrible clock management before the missed field goal.

 

[Misanthrope]

All four games ended on a Dan Bailey kick.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I've read your past posts about the Cowboys don't have an identity. That one of the biggest problems they have is that they don't know who they are or how to react in adversity. Those were excellent posts and I largely agreed with them.

In this recent run though, I'm starting to see some of what may have been missing before.

This team, win or lose, fights to the end. They never quit. While they still make lots of mistakes (penalties), they seem to be able to overcome them better than before. The past couple of years they found ways to lose games. This group is finding ways to win them.

They have tons of injuries, but that doesn't bring them down emotionally. They keep fighting. Being 7 points down in the 4th quarter is no longer teh end of the world, it's an opportunity to fight back.

I don't think this team is playoff material. I just think there are too many injuries and the talent remaining on the field just won't be able to get it done at the end.

But I like what the intanglibles they are developing. And I think this will bold the team well when the inured guys come back.

Agreed? No?

I agree we are starting to form an idenity. A team that will play for 60 mins. Which was not the case in the past. I give Garrett credit for that. But here is what I find interesting. Yesterday DeMarcus Ware said this is the closest team he has played on in 8 years in Dallas. He attributes all the injuries they have had to overcome as to why they have bonded and played so tough.

That got me to thinking....could it be that this team was always so convinced of their talent....that they always ASSUMED somebody else would step up and lead/make a play....and now with 7 defensive starters out...DeMarcus realizes HE has to guide the ship?

I also think guys like Brandon Carr are the right kind of guys. He was not drafted and cultivated in the hero worship culture in Dallas. Where players who have never busted a grape get treated like Super Bowl winners. He is a 5th round pick who has had to scrap his whole NFL life. And working hard for 60 mins is all he knows.

Lastly, I think we are playoff material....and here is why. Who in the NFC scares you? We may not be better than some teams...but if we make it in....I would absolutley feel we belong. The only team that would overwhelm us would be the 49ers. They have been very fortunate with injuries...and with their style of play...a couple of injuries would not change them too much. Really respect how that program has been rebuilt. But I would take my chances with the Falcons and Packers any day. And if we saw Seattle again....I would hope Rob Ryan would approach that game differently. But we have beaten some physical well coached teams this year. And hung in there against the Falcons and Ravens. So our confidence should be sky high.

 

[rwalters31]

I respect the AFC North division. And the way they play football. So I am VERY proud of how we played them this year. And to think we would have swept them had Bailey made that FG in OT in Baltimore. And that was when Baltimore NEVER lost games at home. This team is developing some toughness. Especially when you consider how many injuries we have had to overcome!

OK, don't get cocky now. The Saints are more of a challenge than the Steelers where. This appears to be a game that we need to keep pace with the Saints and win the last possession. We may need the kicker again.

 

[MissouriCowboy]

OK, don't get cocky now. The Saints are more of a challenge than the Steelers where. This appears to be a game that we need to keep pace with the Saints and win the last possession. We may need the kicker again.

One thing about Saints Brees will toss a pick 6 up. Saints D is horrible I expect DeMarrco to tear it up on ground against them.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

OK, don't get cocky now. The Saints are more of a challenge than the Steelers where. This appears to be a game that we need to keep pace with the Saints and win the last possession. We may need the kicker again.

I disagree. The Commanders on the road with everything on the line is a much bigger challenge than the Saints. The Steelers, with all the things they like to defensively is a much bigger challenge than the Saints. If Jason Garrett comes out and throws the first punch....does his part to make sure we force the Saints to chase us....we will beat them. Not saying it will be easy. But the Saints will not be able to stop us on offense. And if we set the tempo...we will keep there offense on the sideline...and force them to become one dimensional by the 3rd quarter.

 

[Direwolf63]

I disagree. The Commanders on the road with everything on the line is a much bigger challenge than the Saints. The Steelers, with all the things they like to defensively is a much bigger challenge than the Saints. If Jason Garrett comes out and throws the first punch....does his part to make sure we force the Saints to chase us....we will beat them. Not saying it will be easy. But the Saints will not be able to stop us on offense. And if we set the tempo...we will keep there offense on the sideline...and force them to become one dimensional by the 3rd quarter.

We need to run the ball 30-35 times and rush for 130+ yards. That keeps Brees on the sidelines and brings play action into the mix for Romo.

It's going to be a shootout. I don't think 30 points will be enough to win the game. I think we can win it, but ball control and time of possession will be very important this week.