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December is the moment of truth for Dallas Cowboys
Column by BILL NICHOLS / The Dallas Morning News | brnichols@***BANNED-URL***
Bill Nichols
IRVING – Moments after their 24-7 victory over Oakland on Thursday, Cowboys defensive linemen donned camouflaged hunting gear – vests, rain pants, boots, hats, gloves.
"We hunted the Raiders," Marcus Spears explained. "It was about a 3 ½-hour hunt, and we knocked out 53 guys. I think we had a good harvest."
The Cowboys lead the NFC East at 8-3. They have the NFL's fourth-ranked offense, second-ranked scoring defense and are among the leaders in several special teams categories.
But now they must switch into survival mode and go Bear Grylls on the month of December. They have shot mostly blanks during this perilous stretch.
The Cowboys are 18-31 in December since 1996, when they went 3-1 and beat Minnesota in an NFC wild-card game. Since then, their only winning December was 2001 (3-2). Since 1996, the Cowboys are 19-34 in December and January.
The calendar's final 31 days have become the bane of their existence.
"That's the month we're judged on around here," receiver Patrick Crayton said. "I don't know why it's been like that in December. We've got to change that. We know what's in front of us. We control what happens."
Even during their 13-3 season of 2007, the Cowboys lost two of their final three games, then lost their first playoff game.
That's why, after the Raiders game, coach Wade Phillips and owner Jerry Jones talked to the players about forging through the tough schedule with singular focus. They want to do more than stay alive over the final five games. That means building on their 8-3 record instead of celebrating it.
"There shouldn't be anybody feeling full of themselves about where we are," Jones said. "We may not, on an individual basis, get to be in a spot like this again."
The Cowboys appear set for a strong finish. After winning twice in five days, they are 1 ½ games ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC East. The Giants are two games back after losing to Denver on Thursday.
Dallas' defense has allowed 21 or fewer points in nine straight games, the longest such streak since 2003. And an offense that produced only 14 points combined against Green Bay and Washington found renewed vigor against hapless Oakland. The Cowboys amassed 494 yards with a balanced attack.
They also rediscovered the big play Thursday, with 10 of at least 20 yards, and receiver Miles Austin, who had seven catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
"We've done all this work to get to this point, we don't need to let it slip away," said tight end Jason Witten, who gutted out a season-high 107 yards on five receptions despite a sprained left foot.
Asked about December, Witten said: "That's what it's all about. We know where we're at, what we've done in the past, and it's not going to be any easier this year."
Quarterback Tony Romo, fighting lower back pain, completed 18 of 29 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. It was his sixth game without an interception.
Romo continued his tradition of feasting on Thanksgiving. He's 4-0 with three 300-yard games, 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions. But he knows his 5-8 record in December is a hot topic.
"If you play the Eagles, the Giants, the Ravens and the Steelers, it's going to be a tough month no matter when you're doing it," Romo said. "Does that give you an excuse? No, because you've got to go beat them.
"At some point, you're going to have to beat them anyway to accomplish your goals. It's all about improving each time you're out there; if you do that consistently, December will take care of itself."
The Cowboys' road is rugged. Next up is the Giants, who beat Dallas, 33-31, in Week 2, and must win to stay in the NFC East race. Then come division leaders San Diego and New Orleans, followed by NFC East rivals Washington and Philadelphia.
At least, they don't have to eat a scorpion.
GETTING COLDER
Cowboys' record in December and January since 1997:
Yr. Dec.* Finish Yr. Dec.* Finish
'08 1-3 9-7 '02 0-4 5-11
'07 2-2 13-3 '01 3-3 5-11
'06 2-3 9-7 '00 1-3 5-11
'05 2-3 9-7 '99 2-3 8-8
'04 2-3 6-10 '98 2-2 10-6
'03 2-2 10-6 '97 0-3 6-10
*includes January games
CLOSING STRETCH
The Cowboys' final five opponents have a combined record of 32-19:
Dec. 6 at NY Giants (6-5)
Dec. 13 San Diego (7-3)
Dec. 19 at New Orleans (10-0)
Dec. 27 at Washington (3-7)
Jan. 3 Philadelphia (6-4)
Column by BILL NICHOLS / The Dallas Morning News | brnichols@***BANNED-URL***
Bill Nichols
IRVING – Moments after their 24-7 victory over Oakland on Thursday, Cowboys defensive linemen donned camouflaged hunting gear – vests, rain pants, boots, hats, gloves.
"We hunted the Raiders," Marcus Spears explained. "It was about a 3 ½-hour hunt, and we knocked out 53 guys. I think we had a good harvest."
The Cowboys lead the NFC East at 8-3. They have the NFL's fourth-ranked offense, second-ranked scoring defense and are among the leaders in several special teams categories.
But now they must switch into survival mode and go Bear Grylls on the month of December. They have shot mostly blanks during this perilous stretch.
The Cowboys are 18-31 in December since 1996, when they went 3-1 and beat Minnesota in an NFC wild-card game. Since then, their only winning December was 2001 (3-2). Since 1996, the Cowboys are 19-34 in December and January.
The calendar's final 31 days have become the bane of their existence.
"That's the month we're judged on around here," receiver Patrick Crayton said. "I don't know why it's been like that in December. We've got to change that. We know what's in front of us. We control what happens."
Even during their 13-3 season of 2007, the Cowboys lost two of their final three games, then lost their first playoff game.
That's why, after the Raiders game, coach Wade Phillips and owner Jerry Jones talked to the players about forging through the tough schedule with singular focus. They want to do more than stay alive over the final five games. That means building on their 8-3 record instead of celebrating it.
"There shouldn't be anybody feeling full of themselves about where we are," Jones said. "We may not, on an individual basis, get to be in a spot like this again."
The Cowboys appear set for a strong finish. After winning twice in five days, they are 1 ½ games ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC East. The Giants are two games back after losing to Denver on Thursday.
Dallas' defense has allowed 21 or fewer points in nine straight games, the longest such streak since 2003. And an offense that produced only 14 points combined against Green Bay and Washington found renewed vigor against hapless Oakland. The Cowboys amassed 494 yards with a balanced attack.
They also rediscovered the big play Thursday, with 10 of at least 20 yards, and receiver Miles Austin, who had seven catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.
"We've done all this work to get to this point, we don't need to let it slip away," said tight end Jason Witten, who gutted out a season-high 107 yards on five receptions despite a sprained left foot.
Asked about December, Witten said: "That's what it's all about. We know where we're at, what we've done in the past, and it's not going to be any easier this year."
Quarterback Tony Romo, fighting lower back pain, completed 18 of 29 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. It was his sixth game without an interception.
Romo continued his tradition of feasting on Thanksgiving. He's 4-0 with three 300-yard games, 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions. But he knows his 5-8 record in December is a hot topic.
"If you play the Eagles, the Giants, the Ravens and the Steelers, it's going to be a tough month no matter when you're doing it," Romo said. "Does that give you an excuse? No, because you've got to go beat them.
"At some point, you're going to have to beat them anyway to accomplish your goals. It's all about improving each time you're out there; if you do that consistently, December will take care of itself."
The Cowboys' road is rugged. Next up is the Giants, who beat Dallas, 33-31, in Week 2, and must win to stay in the NFC East race. Then come division leaders San Diego and New Orleans, followed by NFC East rivals Washington and Philadelphia.
At least, they don't have to eat a scorpion.
GETTING COLDER
Cowboys' record in December and January since 1997:
Yr. Dec.* Finish Yr. Dec.* Finish
'08 1-3 9-7 '02 0-4 5-11
'07 2-2 13-3 '01 3-3 5-11
'06 2-3 9-7 '00 1-3 5-11
'05 2-3 9-7 '99 2-3 8-8
'04 2-3 6-10 '98 2-2 10-6
'03 2-2 10-6 '97 0-3 6-10
*includes January games
CLOSING STRETCH
The Cowboys' final five opponents have a combined record of 32-19:
Dec. 6 at NY Giants (6-5)
Dec. 13 San Diego (7-3)
Dec. 19 at New Orleans (10-0)
Dec. 27 at Washington (3-7)
Jan. 3 Philadelphia (6-4)
