Analyzing the Post November Swoon Syndrome

[EPL0c0]

I'm calling it a "Post November" swoon because some seasons we've had regular season games carry over into January. Going back to 1997 because we did win our last playoff game in the Wildcard round of the 1996 season before losing in the Divisional round.

Prior to 1997 we were actually a tough team to play down the stretch as evidenced by 3 Super Bowl titles and 4 NFC Championship games in a 4 year stretch. The records of the teams we played are in parentheses after their name, and Points Scored (ppgs) and Points allowed (ppga) averages are calculated as well.


You might want to turn away if you have a weak stomach.



1997, 0-3, 14.6 ppgs, 24.6 ppga

12/8/97…Lost vs. Carolina Panthers (7-9), 13-23
12/14/97…Lost @ Cincinnati Bengals (7-9), 24-31
12/21/97…Lost vs. New York Giants (10-5-1), 7-20



1998, 2-2, 14.0 ppgs, 14.5 ppga

12/6/98…Lost @ New Orleans Saints (6-10), 3-22
12/13/98…Lost @ Kansas City Chiefs (7-9), 17-20
12/20/98…Won vs. Philadelphia Eagles (3-13), 13-9
12/27/98…Won vs. Washington Commanders (6-10), 23-7

1998 Post Season, 0-1
1/2/99...Lost vs. Arizona Cardinals (9-7), 7-20



1999, 2-3, 19.4 ppgs, 18.8 ppga

12/5/99…Lost @ New England Patriots (8-8), 6-13
12/12/99…Won vs. Philadelphia Eagles (5-11), 20-10
12/19/99…Lost vs. New York Jets (8-8), 21-22
12/24/99…Lost @ New Orleans Saints (3-13), 24-31
1/2/00…Won vs. New York Giants (7-9), 26-18

1999 Post Season, 0-1
1/9/00... Lost @ Minnesota Vikings (10-6), 10-27



2000, 1-3, 13.0 ppgs, 22.0 ppga

12/3/00…Lost @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6), 7-27
12/10/00…Won vs. Washington Commanders (8-8), 32-13
12/17/00…Lost vs. New York Giants (12-4), 13-17
12/25/00…Lost @ Tennessee Titans (13-3), 0-31



2001, 3-3, 14.0 ppgs, 21.8 ppga

12/2/01…Won @ Washington Commanders (8-8), 20-14
12/9/01…Won vs. New York Giants (7-9), 20-13
12/16/01…Lost @ Seattle Seahawks (9-7), 3-29
12/23/01…Lost @ Arizona Cardinals (7-9), 10-17
12/30/01…Won vs. San Francisco 49ers (12-4), 27-21
1/6/02…Lost @ Detroit Lions (2-14), 10-15



2002, 0-4, 12.8 ppgs, 28.8 ppga

12/8/02…Lost vs. San Francisco 49ers (10-6), 27-31
12/15/02…Lost @ New York Giants 10-6), 7-37
12/21/02…Lost vs. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4), 3-27
12/29/02…Lost @ Washington Commanders (7-9), 14-20



2003, 2-2, 15.8 ppgs, 13.0 ppga

12/7/03…Lost @ Philadelphia Eagles (12-4), 10-36
12/14/03…Won @ Washington Commanders (5-11), 27-0
12/21/03…Won vs. New York Giants (4-12), 19-3
12/28/03…Lost @ New Orleans (8-8), 7-13

2003 Post season, 0-1
1/3/04...Lost @ Carolina Panthers (11-5), 10-29



2004, 2-3, 20.0 ppgs, 23.2 ppga

12/6/04…Won @ Seattle Seahawks (9-7), 43-39
12/12/04…Lost vs. New Orleans Saints (8-8), 13-27
12/19/04…Lost @ Philadelphia Eagles (13-3), 7-12
12/26/04…Won vs. Washington Commanders (6-10), 13-10
1/2/05…Lost @ New York Giants, 24-28



2005, 2-3, 16.4 ppgs, 24.0 ppga

12/4/05…Lost @ New York Giants (11-5), 10-17
12/11/05…Won vs. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6), 31-28
12/18/05…Lost @ Washington Commanders (10-6), 7-35
12/24/05…Won @ Carolina Panthers (11-5), 24-20
1/1/06…Lost vs. St. Louis Rams (6-10), 10-20



2006, 2-3, 23.2 ppgs, 32.4 ppga

12/3/06...Won @ New York Giants (8-8), 23-20
12/10/06...Lost vs. New Orleans Saints (10-6), 17-42
12/16/06...Won @ Atlanta Falcons (7-9), 38-38
12/25/06...Lost vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6), 7-23
12/31/06...Lost vs. Detroit Lions (3-13), 31-39

2006 Post season, 0-1
1/6/07...Lost @ Seattle Seahawks (9-7), 20-21



2007, 2-2, 15.0 ppgs, 19.3 ppga

12/9/07...Won @ Detroit Lions (7-9), 28-27
12/16/07...Lost vs. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8), 6-10
12/22/07...Won @ Carolina Panthers (7-9), 20-13
12/30/07...Lost @ Washington Commanders (9-7), 6-27

2007 Post season, 0-1
1/13/08...Lost vs. Giants, 17-21



Final tally...18-29 Regular season, 38% winning percentage, 0-5 Post season

I can see this happened for 1-3yrs, but that covers several coaches, MANY personel changes, etc.

Who else has been there that whole time..... Jerry?

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I don't buy the voodo or jynx theory, but I do believe that some thing is going on in the back of our teams minds when it comes to the playoffs.

I have always said it was the reason Parcells looked so exsasperated late in the season. I think Phillips had that same look. It seems there is nothing that motivates these guys when it matters most.

It's dumbfounding.

 

[Nors]

I don't buy the voodo or jynx theory, but I do believe that some thing is going on in the back of our teams minds when it comes to the playoffs.

I have always said it was the reason Parcells looked so exsasperated late in the season. I think Phillips had that same look. It seems there is nothing that motivates these guys when it matters most.
It's dumbfounding.

we have a winner,

there is a lack of leadership and heart amonst our Veteran leaders.

And it gets exposed in December when it is gut check time.

 

[superpunk]

I don't buy the voodo or jynx theory, but I do believe that some thing is going on in the back of our teams minds when it comes to the playoffs.

I have always said it was the reason Parcells looked so exsasperated late in the season. I think Phillips had that same look. It seems there is nothing that motivates these guys when it matters most.

It's dumbfounding.

Yup.

It's not about overbearing personalities wearing thin on the players.

It's not about blueprints.

It's not about outdated coaching styles.

It's not about Camp Cupcake.

It's not about saying "the player", or not running slants, or not putting TO in motion.

It's not about 2 gap or 1 gap.

It's not about talent level - we've got plenty of that.

It's not about any of those things. And if you read through this post, hoping to find some revelation as to what it is ACTUALLY about, I'm sorry to disappoint you. But why should I pretend to know what the problem is, when two fantastic NFL head coaches can't figure it out, or how to fix it?

Madness.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

we have a winner,

there is a lack of leadership and heart amonst our Veteran leaders.

And it gets exposed in December when it is gut check time.

If any thought is actually given to this idea it is correct. Who is the vocal, emotional leader of this team? The guy you see in the press firing teammates up?

Romo? nope.
owens? nope
Ware? nope
Ellis? nope.

We don't have any Irvins.

That could very well be the cure for or late season collapses. Find that fiery player who can be the emotional leader.

Oh wait, I forgot about Crayton.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I can see this happened for 1-3yrs, but that covers several coaches, MANY personel changes, etc.

Who else has been there that whole time..... Jerry?

You know what? I bash Jerry as much if not more than anybody.
One thing it isn't since 2002 is him.
The man hired exactly what fixed the talent on this team then hired exactly
what that talent said they needed in their coach.
It ain't Jerry.

 

[Bach]

You know what? I bash Jerry as much if not more than anybody.
One thing it isn't since 2002 is him.
The man hired exactly what fixed the talent on this team then hired exactly
what that talent said they needed in their coach.
It ain't Jerry.

One thing I give credit to Jerry for was hiring Jimmy. I also have given him credit for bringing in Bill and giving him a vast amount of control over personnel.

I agree that the late season problems the last 5 years isn't about Jerry.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Yup.

It's not about overbearing personalities wearing thin on the players.

If memory serves me right, the Giants players wanted Coughlin gone last season. They sure didn't look like that this season. They finlay realized they hard *** approach can work. They are the proof.

 

[Hostile]

This team is soft and dumb. At least some people are finally realizing there really was a "swoon", for whatever that matters now.

You mean realizing it like this?

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105441

Check the date on when that thread was posted. I think a lot of us have long accepted it, we just have different translations of causes.

 

[Hostile]

I don't buy the voodo or jynx theory, but I do believe that some thing is going on in the back of our teams minds when it comes to the playoffs.

I have always said it was the reason Parcells looked so exsasperated late in the season. I think Phillips had that same look. It seems there is nothing that motivates these guys when it matters most.

It's dumbfounding.

That's exactly what bothers me.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

That's exactly what bothers me.

Me too bro. It's been going on far too long.

 

[burmafrd]

If it is the players, then nothing will work except a complete rebuilding.
Because I really doubt this is something that can be corrected.

 

[Hostile]

Me too bro. It's been going on far too long.

I am not blaming these 2 players by any means, but Flo and Ellis have both been here since 1998, this slide started a year before them. There's something carrying over.

There should be no coincidence that in the if you were GM thread I had both off the team in 2008.

 

[Bach]

You mean realizing it like this?

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105441

Check the date on when that thread was posted. I think a lot of us have long accepted it, we just have different translations of causes.

I wasn't referring to you, but thanks for contributing.

I was talking (like I'm sure you know) about those who acted like all was well and there was no swoon even after we had struggled for most the month again. Kind of like several people in this thread:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108146&highlight=december

 

[JPM]

I am not blaming these 2 players by any means, but Flo and Ellis have both been here since 1998, this slide started a year before them. There's something carrying over.

There should be no coincidence that in the if you were GM thread I had both off the team in 2008.

Ellis for sure, Spencer can fill in and do just fine, but I think Flo can play 1 more year. Problem is he won't sign for just one year so I'd show him the way out too.

Oh and hello Ray Lewis, J. Leman (my yearly draft LB crush), and Owen Schmitt.http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/fb/owenschmitt.html

 

[SultanOfSix]

I'm sorry, but I just don't think the December swoon is applicable this year.

We had home field locked up relatively early, and that made games meaningless in December. Were the Pack criticized for being soft when they got killed by the Bears when homefield was theirs for the taking?

Now, I can credit the idea that the players may not be mentally tough enough to handle pressure situations later in the year as opposed to earlier in the year. I can also credit the idea that maybe they start wearing down in the latter part of the year. But, even that doesn't seem to apply this year because some of the games were once again meaningless, and quite a few of our starters were slightly injured and out resting.

 

[superpunk]

I'm sorry, but I just don't think the December swoon is applicable this year.

We played far worse in December than the rest of the year.

How can that possibly NOT apply/

We had home field locked up relatively early, and that made games meaningless in December. Were the Pack criticized for being soft when they got killed by the Bears when homefield was theirs for the taking?

In December, besides losing that unfortunate divisional game, the Pack also beat the hell out of Oakland, St. Louis, and Detroit - with their smallest margin of victory in those games being 21 points. Then - they came out in the playoffs and blew the doors off the Seahawks.

Compare that to the December/January Cowboys. I know which team I think deserves criticism - and it's not the Pack.

 

[SultanOfSix]

We played far worse in December than the rest of the year.

How can that possibly NOT apply/

Well, so did the Pats. It's hard to play better when you're 12-1 into the month of December.

In December, besides losing that unfortunate divisional game, the Pack also beat the hell out of Oakland, St. Louis, and Detroit - with their smallest margin of victory in those games being 21 points. Then - they came out in the playoffs and blew the doors off the Seahawks.

Compare that to the December/January Cowboys. I know which team I think deserves criticism - and it's not the Pack.

That wasn't the point. The point was that when the Pack had the chance to lock up home field advantage - due to a Cowboys loss - they didn't either.

Sure, we didn't play great in December, but we played teams when they had opportunities to make the playoffs. Did the Pack? Not really.

It just seems to me like its some silly superstition that some month can be the cause of a team collapse.

 

[Hostile]

I wasn't referring to you, but thanks for contributing.

I was talking (like I'm sure you know) about those who acted like all was well and there was no swoon even after we had struggled for most the month again. Kind of like several people in this thread:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108146&highlight=december

The thing is Bach, and I doubt this is any real news to you, there is an element of fans who believe you cannot diss the team. Not just Cowboys fans, of every team.

Not everybody sees rooting for the team the same. You've got fans who believe they are superior because they never speak ill of the team or players. Then you've got fans who think they are superior because they see things that the "koolaid drinkers" don't.

The truth is no one is a superior fan to anyone else. We're all passionate. We just have different perceptions.

From where I sit, the constant negativity is as annoying as the constant all is well. Maybe that's because I have to referee the inevitable clashes between the two factions. It would be so much easier if people would just use the ignore function.

I've come to realize that a lot of people should have been painters for their profession. The gusto with which they go about trying to paint other people is fascinating.

 

[Bach]

The truth is no one is a superior fan to anyone else. We're all passionate. We just have different perceptions.

From where I sit, the constant negativity is as annoying as the constant all is well. Maybe that's because I have to referee the inevitable clashes between the two factions. It would be so much easier if people would just use the ignore function.

Never said anyone was superior. Just odd why many feel the need to avoid reality and bash anyone who discusses it.

As for negativity, maybe you haven't noticed that we haven't won a playoff game in 11 years. That's a fact. That fact is negative. I guess we should just ignore facts and act like all is rosy. IF that's the purpose of this board, then please tell me.