ATouch of Hostility...Week 12

[Hostile]

what I would like to see is someone with the time to spare look at the opponents in those last 5 games and their records- then compare them to our records. I think a lot of the time we were playing some of the best teams in the NFL as well as our division rivals. If that is the case then going 2-3 or 3-2 is probably about right.

Well, we do know last year that was the case. We played the 4 teams who competed for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

1997...Panthers (7-9), Bengals (7-9), Giants (10-5-1)...lost all 3.

1998...Lost to Saints (6-10) & Chiefs (7-9); Won Eagles (3-13) & Commanders (6-10)

1999...Lost to Patriots (8-8), Jets (8-8), & Saints (3-13); Won Eagles (5-11) & Giants (7-9)

2000...Lost Buccaneers (10-6), Giants (12-4) & Titans (13-3); Won Commanders (8-8)

2001...Lost Seahawks (9-7), Cardinals (7-9), & Lions (2-14); Won Commanders (8-8), Giants (7-9) & 40ers (12-4)

2002...49ers (10-6), Eagles (12-4), Giants (10-6), & Commanders (7-9)...Lost all 4.

2003...Lost to Eagles (12-4) & Saints (8-8), Won Commanders (5-11) & Giants (4-10)

2004...Lost Saints (8-8), Eagles (13-3), Giants (6-10); Won Seahawks (9-7) and Commanders (6-10)

2005...Lost Giants (11-5) Commanders (10-6), & Rams (6-10); Won Chiefs (10-6) & Panthers (11-5)

2006....Lost Saints (10-6), Eagles (10-6) & Lions (3-13); Won Giants (8-8) & Falcons (7-9)

2007...Lost Eagles (8-8) & Commanders (9-7); Won Lions (7-9) & Panthers (7-9) THis seasonw e also played one extra November game, a 2nd consecutive Thursday night game and Beat the 13-3 Packers.

I guess oyu could say 2000 and 2008 fit the prescription, but I don't think the other years you can. This team has lost the season finale every year since winning it in 1999. That means we are 0 for the decade to end the season.

 

[Hostile]

One note on the Commanders game in December. Look for it to be a sea of blue at Fed Ex. I've heard Skins fans are selling their tickets to Cowboys fans hoping to embarrass Dan Snyder. I am trying to get enough for a plane fare to attend that game courtesy of a friend here.

We're going to take over their house.

 

[JonJon]

One note on the Commanders game in December. Look for it to be a sea of blue at Fed Ex. I've heard Skins fans are selling their tickets to Cowboys fans hoping to embarrass Dan Snyder. I am trying to get enough for a plane fare to attend that game courtesy of a friend here.

We're going to take over their house.

I'm praying for that to happen. An extra home game at Fed Ex field would be AMAZING!

 

[visionary]

Miles Austin is the MVP of this Season.

I believe he will have a profound effect on the outcome of this season.

Miles Austin represents all that is good in the NFL.

The guy is talented, hungry, humble and when he doesn't have big games statistically, you don't hear him complain.

People may laugh but I believe he is almost as important as Tony Romo at this point.

austin is important but the MVP is romo, no doubt.
we will go as far as romo takes us by his play,
period,
end of story

 

[Joe Realist]

Happy about yesterday's game. Happy to be 8-3 as that was swing game yesterday. I have had my doubts and yes, based on past, and early season. Please prove me wrong. I don't want another December let down. I'll take one game at a time. In addition, we are ALL fans. Nobody's opinion, post count, obsession, etc. holds any more weight than anybody elses. Last time I checked, did anyone here play in the NFL or the Cowboys? I don't think so. Remember that.

Here comes the home stretch, how will it end? A 2-3 December would get us 10 wins and probably the 6th seed. 3-2 December gets us 11-5, perhaps the division. A 4-1 December, well that would be something.

The Giants will be desperate after that loss. We need mistake free game and a great offensive game plan.

The Chargers will be in a fight for their divsion as well and Norv will want to show Jerry he made the wrong choice.

The Saints - they are scary. Could be a shootout. I would expect Romo to play better than 2006.

The Skins will look to spoil our season. Cowboys cannot let it happen.

The Eagles - ugh. It will be a stressful day should this come down to a playoff spot or the division. For once, let's beat them when it really counts.

 

[cowboyjoe]

One note on the Commanders game in December. Look for it to be a sea of blue at Fed Ex. I've heard Skins fans are selling their tickets to Cowboys fans hoping to embarrass Dan Snyder. I am trying to get enough for a plane fare to attend that game courtesy of a friend here.

We're going to take over their house.

i sure hope so, that would maybe make the Commanders play with a poor effort, knowing that their fans arent supporting them and cowboys fans have the Commanders stadium full with cowboy fans

 

[Nightshade]

:clap2:Good Post, Hos. We have a brutal December schedule but we should be battle-tested b/c of it...
:dissgint: looking like pretenders right now...so we'll get no credit for beating everyone's "favorite in the NFCE", but it'll be great for the team's confidence going forward...
:bolts:looking tougher, but are one-dimensional w/ LT aging/regressing. I think our "d" can keep Rivers & co. at bay. Hopefully they'll still have that winning streak intact so we can end it...
:saints:the darlings of the NFC right now. Even if they lose b4 we see them, everyone outside of (and some in) Dallas' fanbase expect this to be a blowout loss...but my silver & blue glasses see it differently! An "L" to them isn't too bad of a loss, though, especially in the VooDoo Dome!
:dissskin: they'll be in spoiler mode so if we jump on them early in this game it should crush their spirits. They will have confidence b/c of their 1st game against us but w/ their fans' impending walkout they may be somewhat distracted...
:disseags: Even w/ Romo saying the team's not focused on last season, playing another season-ender against the Eaglets will bring back all the nasty memories from 2008...especially if we're playing for the NFCE crown. I think the "revenge" angle will motivate and spark the Boys this year...and close out our 1st reg. season in Cowboys Stadium much better than we opened it up!!!

5-0 Dec....I'd be ecstatic!
4-1...this is what I expect!
3-2...acceptable...especially if they're all NFCE wins
2-3...should get us in the postseason, but may lose us the 3rd seed.
1-4 or 0-5....ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE!!!

4-1 would be amazing. With those five teams I'd be very happy with 3 and 2. I think that 3 and 2 in December would have the Cowboys very well placed for the playoffs. The Gints are playing very poorly right now so I'm thinking the Deadskins and the Gints are the easiest of these next games. If they take those two and one game against the Chargers, Philthy or the Saints I'd be happy.

All that said, I think the Cowboys are playing well enough to beat all of those teams right now.

 

[Biggems]

Well, the guests have gone, the leftovers are in the refrigerator, and the pecan pie is calling my name. But the only thing I care about right now is 8-3. We will wake up tomorrow and still be all alone in first place in the NFC East, in control of our own destiny. Eight and three!

We will also be one day closer to December. Is the dread going to set in? Coming into November I posted a thread about how well Tony Romo has played in November. I knew the thread would not be met with mutual acclaim. That's because December follows November. Before I get to that, and I will get to it, let's update Tony Romo's November record and stats. The "realists" will have to get over it. I refuse to cater to their misery.

15-2 won - loss record
350 of 515
68.0% completion %
4643 yards
41 TDs (Only 1 game where he failed to throw a TD pass.)
12 INTs (Only 1 game with multiple INTs.)
113.11 QB Rating

I can't help it, I really like the kid. He makes Thanksgiving a greater holiday than it already is.

While I am at it, I might as well update Jason Witten as well. I have been doing that every week. 2 more receptions and he is #2 on the all time Cowboys list.

All Time Cowboys Receptions

1. Michael Irvin...750
2. Drew Pearson...489
3. Jason Witten...488


All Time TE Receptions

1. Tony Gonzalez...968
2. Shannon Sharpe...815
3. Ozzie Newsome...662
4. Kellen Winslow...541
5. Frank Wycheck...505
6. Ben Coates...499
7. Steve Jordan...498
8. Jason Witten...488

By the time we play the Giants it will be December and the story does change dramatically. First, this is a team game, so let's look at the fact that it isn't only Tony Romo who struggles in December. Since 1997, the year after we won our last post season game, this has been the Cowboys record when Santa Claus is coming to town.

1997...0-3
1998...2-2
1999...2-3
2000...1-3
2001...3-3
2002...0-4
2003...2-2
2004...2-3
2005...2-3
2006...2-3
2007...2-2
2008...1-3

That is 19-34 in December since 1997. A complete 180 degree swing from 3 Super Bowls in 4 years, just 2 years before this started happening to the Cowboys. What changed in 1997? I've seen every theory out there. Rowdy became the team mascot. We made the Salvation Army our Official Thanksgiving Day charity. Joe Jurascyk became the strength and conditioning coach. About the only thing that hasn't been theorized is that Barry Switzer's late Father put a bootlegger's curse on the team for firing his son. Conspiracy theories abound, one fact is irrefutable, the December collapses pre-date the arrival of Tony Romo.

Okay, time to throw Tony under the bus. His detractors will be thrilled. There is no doubt that Tony has struggled in December. Here are his numbers.

5-8 won - loss record
262 completions
435 attempts
60.1% completions
2992 yards
14 TDs
19 INTs
73.46 QB Rating

Pretty stark contrast from the glorious Novembers. Makes those mashed potatoes and gravy taste even better. Okay, so it doesn't, but I for one appreciate today even more because of it.

I know that it is inevitable that something was horribly wrong about the Cowboys win today. For the life of me though, I just don't care nearly as much as I care about 8-3. I know that makes me the absolute worst kind of fan. It stings to know that. I find that I just don't care.

Screw the "broader perspectives" of those who still look at 2008, think ti somehow matters, and predict doom in 2009. All season long they have looked like idiots, and I can't help the smile on my face. I point no fingers here ladies and gentlemen. If someone feels the sting of guilt at my commentary that is not my fault. I have not controlled anyone else's keyboard.

I know, I know, you hope you are wrong. I wish I could believe that. I really do.

We averaged 7.8 yards per carry today. Three of our runners topped 60 yards rushing. No turnovers. Anthony Spencer got 2 sacks. Roy Williams caught a touchdown. Doug Free filled in admirably again. No one went down to injury. We won the time of possession battle. Didn't commit an inordinate number of penalties. And the pass run mix was 29 to 25. I am sure none of these things are good enough to pass muster, but damnit, 8-3 alone on top of the NFC East is.

In my book anyway.

Look, I know there are 5 games left. I know the History. I know the teams we are facing are not pushovers. Not even the stupid Commanders. I know we could miss the playoffs if the team melts down. I know the shadow ahead is Santa Claus coming to town and we have once again been naughty. I don't care.

Like I said earlier, I refuse to succumb to the misery that is December dread about this team. I will worry about that misery when it gets here and not until then. That has been my modus operandi all season long and it has worked. Don't get too high about the wins, or too low about the losses.

I've noticed something about this team all season long and it has given me hope about the stretch run ahead of us. This team is more focused than I have ever seen it. I think they were pissed off about many things in the media in recent years. Camp Cupcake, team obliterater, distractions, and constant reminders of December fades.

The team will get a well earned weekend to enjoy their family and their food. Once again, come 6:00 AM Monday Tony Romo will be in the film room studying the Giants and guys will not take it easy. Victory Mondays have been celebrated with 90% of the team at work studying film anyway. I won't be shocked if some are working out on Saturday. They want it.

I think they know what is ahead. I think they want to get that monkey off their backs. I think they are ready. They need to be more ready than the 5 teams still ahead.

If you take a dinner roll and slice it in half, pile on some turkey breast, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a tiny bit of mashed potatoes...it will put a smile on your face. But not as big as 8-3 will.

Bring on the Giants. Bring on Santa Claus. I ain't skeert. Come what may, I am ready too. Even if it means we fade in December yet again and break down my hopes. I can live with it. I learned a long time ago to Embrace the Hatred.

Kudos to the ostrich, Jason Garrett, for taking his head out of his SAND, and finally getting Witten involved in our vertical passing game. I hope this is a sign of things to come for the remainder of the season. He and Bennett are total mismatches for opposing defenses when they run downfield routes.....I say run our TEs deep and throw some underneath stuff to Austin and Crayton and let them use their speed and elusiveness to fight for YAC.

Choice is my boy, but I do wish he had just that extra bit of burst. It was funny and sad watching him get walked down. Still the exection out of the Wild Poke is awesome.

My boy Folk is frustrating me. He has missed 3 fgs in 3 weeks. I think he is pressing. He needs to find Cerrano and borrow Jobu to help fix foot.

Spencer had one helluva game. It was great to see him get those sacks....and I have a feeling he will end up with double digit sacks for the season.

I was crackin up when Ratliff started celebrating after he tackled his man forward for the first down......His reaction was even funnier when he realized that the guy got the first and he celebrated prematurely.

Someone needs to find the top hypnotist in the world and send him to visit Tony Romo. Have him convince Romo that every game is a Thanksgiving Day Game. 16-0 and complete dominance every game would be sweet.

This team looks like it is having fun again. They look loose and burden free. If the team can continue to have this type of mindset, I don't see them struggling. It seems that they only struggle when they press, act like androids on the sidelines, and play like some dreary Tim Burton movie. Just keep showing emotion, excitement, and child-like exhuberance and we will be just fine.

HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

4-1 would be amazing. With those five teams I'd be very happy with 3 and 2. I think that 3 and 2 in December would have the Cowboys very well placed for the playoffs. The Gints are playing very poorly right now so I'm thinking the Deadskins and the Gints are the easiest of these next games. If they take those two and one game against the Chargers, Philthy or the Saints I'd be happy.

All that said, I think the Cowboys are playing well enough to beat all of those teams right now.

I agree...especially on the defensive side of the ball. If our offense can stay consistent (and healthy) next month, I expect a 4-1 December.

 

[DFWJC]

I agree...especially on the defensive side of the ball. If our offense can stay consistent (and healthy) next month, I expect a 4-1 December.

4-1 would mean they are Super Bowl front-runners because maybe 2-3 teams could maybe do that with that schedule. Even the "easy" game will be be stressful due to rivalries and road trips. Five games back-to-back like that will be tough...so 4-1 would be sweet and I would be thrilled with 3-2.

 

[cowboyjoe]

4-1 would mean they are Super Bowl front-runners because maybe 2-3 teams could maybe do that with that schedule. Even the "easy" game will be be stressful due to rivalries and road trips. Five games back-to-back like that will be tough...so 4-1 would be sweet and I would be thrilled with 3-2.

yeah but 4-1 record might get us the 2nd seed playoff bye week so the cowboys players can rest up.

 

[Hostile]

4-1 would mean they are Super Bowl front-runners because maybe 2-3 teams could maybe do that with that schedule. Even the "easy" game will be be stressful due to rivalries and road trips. Five games back-to-back like that will be tough...so 4-1 would be sweet and I would be thrilled with 3-2.

I think 4-1 in December still puts us behind the Saints, Vikings, and Colts on the front runner list.

 

[jobberone]

I think 4-1 in December still puts us behind the Saints, Vikings, and Colts on the front runner list.

I think you're right. We probably can't catch them. A win in NO will put the fear of God in them though.

Chances are the road to the SB goes thru either NO or MN.

 

[RS12]

One note on the Commanders game in December. Look for it to be a sea of blue at Fed Ex. I've heard Skins fans are selling their tickets to Cowboys fans hoping to embarrass Dan Snyder. I am trying to get enough for a plane fare to attend that game courtesy of a friend here.

We're going to take over their house.

FWIW Bobby Hebert was on ESPN here in Los Angeles and without being prompted said the Saints while not looking past the Patriots, considered the Cowboys game to be the biggest game of the year. Said the Superdome would be rocking on the Saturday night and they considered the Cowboys one of their biggest rivals.

 

[DFWJC]

I think 4-1 in December still puts us behind the Saints, Vikings, and Colts on the front runner list.

Agree...and that would be a very short list of front-runners.

 

[Hostile]

FWIW Bobby Hebert was on ESPN here in Los Angeles and without being prompted said the Saints while not looking past the Patriots, considered the Cowboys game to be the biggest game of the year. Said the Superdome would be rocking on the Saturday night and they considered the Cowboys one of their biggest rivals.

Wow, I consider that to be very interesting. Thank you.

 

[dreghorn2]

The December 'thing' is real, no doubt. And it will remain real until we do something about it.

Its a great schedule for us to erase any doubts about late season collapses. No one can say that this a soft December.

One game at a time and build momentum.

Throw the last shovelful of dirt on the Giants next Sunday and go from there. A controlled, yet passionate, effort against NY and the confidence will build.

I actually like the fact that Jerry made a little speech about staying focused.

Very exciting time to be a Cowboys fan here guys. This is going to be a crazy crazy month one way or the other.

I can't wait!!

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Screw the "broader perspectives" of those who still look at 2008, think ti somehow matters, and predict doom in 2009. All season long they have looked like idiots, and I can't help the smile on my face. I point no fingers here ladies and gentlemen. If someone feels the sting of guilt at my commentary that is not my fault. I have not controlled anyone else's keyboard.

I know, I know, you hope you are wrong. I wish I could believe that. I really do.

Indeed. You have been one of the more positive posters all season long. If you're not positive then you're simply quiet. I wish more posters got that, but that would mean they'd have to see the potential on this team. Right now it's smacking them in the face.

We averaged 7.8 yards per carry today. Three of our runners topped 60 yards rushing. No turnovers. Anthony Spencer got 2 sacks. Roy Williams caught a touchdown. Doug Free filled in admirably again. No one went down to injury. We won the time of possession battle. Didn't commit an inordinate number of penalties. And the pass run mix was 29 to 25. I am sure none of these things are good enough to pass muster, but damnit, 8-3 alone on top of the NFC East is.

In my book anyway.

I agree. And you haven't always been easy to please over the years.

I've noticed something about this team all season long and it has given me hope about the stretch run ahead of us. This team is more focused than I have ever seen it. I think they were pissed off about many things in the media in recent years. Camp Cupcake, team obliterater, distractions, and constant reminders of December fades.

I know you don't like Wade, so here is where I live up to my reputation and stir the pot. Has he done enough to warrant some props yet?

The team will get a well earned weekend to enjoy their family and their food. Once again, come 6:00 AM Monday Tony Romo will be in the film room studying the Giants and guys will not take it easy. Victory Mondays have been celebrated with 90% of the team at work studying film anyway. I won't be shocked if some are working out on Saturday. They want it.

I think they know what is ahead. I think they want to get that monkey off their backs. I think they are ready. They need to be more ready than the 5 teams still ahead.

Let's do this, boys. We have the potential. Go Doug Free!

 

[dreghorn2]

I'll stop after this but i just feel like making post after post about how excited i am about this month of football.

Every game will be huge, pressure on us to prove we will not 'choke' in December, coaches reputations and jobs on the line, player reputation and jobs on the line, all the media hype.. its going to be great.

 

[Chuck 54]

I hope for better, but I won't be disappointed if The Cowboys finish December at 2-3.

2-3 means finishing 10-6 and almost certainly in the playoffs in some fashion.

Getting in the playoffs is the main goal...nothing else matters. Even winning our division likely changes nothing. As a 10-6 wildcard or a division champion, we're still most likely playing in round 1 of the playoffs at home.

Minny and NO play in pretty weak divisions this year, so it's hard to imagine them not finishing with the top 2 seeds.

I'd love to finish December 3-2,4-1,5-0 (certainly unrealistic on the optimistic end of that), but 2-3 won't be a December collapse with that schedule and making the playoffs.

1-4 would and missing the playoffs...that would be a collapse.

However, The Cowboys have not lost 2 games in a row this season, so I'm ready for the ride.