I question the maturity, focus and mental toughness of this operation

[Bach]

this makes no sense to me. If the Cowboys are having relentess pressure on a QB, then the response to that IS for the QB to throw quick passes. Green Bay entered that game attacking deep. I don't know why they were doing that but that was the game plan. Dallas didn't take the short pass away, Mike McCarthy did with the play calling.

EXACTLY!

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't have any questions about the mental toughness of this team. Teams that lack mental toughness do not pull off some of the come from behind wins this team has had this season. Personally I think many are making way too much out of this past loss, this team is 12-2 not one of the many teams hanging around the 500 mark hoping to make the post season. It truly amazes me how people will over react to a loss in what has been a very good season.

 

[Bach]

So who in the NFC is peaking right now?

The team that was defeated by the Cowboys a mere two weeks ago?

It should be a two team race between the two teams with the bye, Dallas and GB. It's true we did beat them in Texas Stadium three weeks ago. But if we lose another game and they continue to win out, then our potential next meeting would be in Lambeau.

Hopefully we will win our last two and maintain homefield. But anyone paying attention can see we haven't played well the last 2 1/2 games and there is reason for some concern.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I don't have any questions about the mental toughness of this team. Teams that lack mental toughness do not pull off some of the come from behind wins this team has had this season. Personally I think many are making way too much out of this past loss, this team is 12-2 not one of the many teams hanging around the 500 mark hoping to make the post season. It truly amazes me how people will over react to a loss in what has been a very good season.

I am not overeacting to losing...it is HOW WE HAVE PLAYED...for the last time...I love the Boyz....I don't want to have to think about what could have been...we are healthy and have enough talent to win the NFC..but no one is going to hand it to us because we have 12 Pro Bowlers and are 12-2. It is going to take even more of an effort now that we are a team full of all-stars..and all I am saying that the euphoria and nostalgia of being 12-2 should be behind us and it is time to buckle down and get the monkey of our back's with all the playoff failures...and when all the talk out of the lockeroom is about everything BUT the Panthers...I found it alarming and it makes me nervous.

Of course I hope we manhandle the Panthers and right the ship...but stop acting like our body of work to this point is good enough to think teams will roll over and play dead.

I live and Commanders countrty....I have gone to some of their home games this year...they have been chanting "we want Dallas" since the Cardinals game...and all I am saying is I hope the guys on this team understand that as much as we love them...their are plenty who want to make their lives miserable

 

[Doomsday101]

I am not overeacting to losing...it is HOW WE HAVE PLAYED...for the last time...I love the Boyz....I don't want to have to think about what could have been...we are healthy and have enough talent to win the NFC..but no one is going to hand it to us because we have 12 Pro Bowlers and are 12-2. It is going to take even more of an effort now that we are a team full of all-stars..and all I am saying that the euphoria and nostalgia of being 12-2 should be behind us and it is time to buckle down and get the monkey of our back's with all the playoff failures...and when all the talk out of the lockeroom is about everything BUT the Panthers...I found it alarming and it makes me nervous.

Of course I hope we manhandle the Panthers and right the ship...but stop acting like our body of work to this point is good enough to think teams will roll over and play dead.

I live and Commanders countrty....I have gone to soem of their home games this year...they have been chanting "we want Dallas" since the Cardinals game...and all I am saying is I hope the guys on this team understand that as much as we love them...their are plenty who want to make their lives miserable

I'm not saying you are not allowed to panic or worry but some of us are not some of us belive in these players and this team. We lost a game so what, we had a tough game vs Det and won we faced the 2nd best team in the NFC in Green Bay and beat them. I don't expect any team to roll over for the Cowboys and I understand it is not easy to win in the NFL and more games than not will be close games. If you want to worry fine I think this is a good team and will be just fine.

 

[Boysboy]

Eh-if Parcells were still here, we would merely be 8-6.

We wouldn't be eating the cheese if he were here? We would be a more disciplined football team if he were here? Right.............

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The entire season has been nothing but pure, dumb luck... we probably ought to be around 2-12, rather than the other way around...

We just have to hope Matt Moore and Co. don't run up the score on us Patriots-style Saturday night.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

those guys were on the 8-4 team? I think you are making MY point..the talent and QB was different but the results were the same

Different talent doesn't necessarily mean better talent.

All of Parcells' teams suffered from some fatal weakness.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

It should be a two team race between the two teams with the bye, Dallas and GB. It's true we did beat them in Texas Stadium three weeks ago. But if we lose another game and they continue to win out, then our potential next meeting would be in Lambeau.

So all of this consternation and bellyaching is predicated solely on the possibility that Dallas might lose again and Green Bay might win out?

Since we're dealing with hypotheticals, I should mention it's also possible that Dallas wins out and Green Bay loses again.

Why are we assuming and fretting over the worst possible scenario?

I can already anticipate your answer: "Because Green Bay has looked better than Dallas over the past two weeks."

Did you ever consider competition level? The Cowboys have played two teams fighting desperately for a wild card spot while Green Bay has played two dregs that were eliminated from any realistic playing contention before the season was even halfway over.

 

[Bach]

Why are we assuming and fretting over the worst possible scenario?

I can already anticipate your answer: "Because Green Bay has looked better than Dallas over the past two weeks."

People are obviously concerned with our history of floundering down the stretch. Of course the past doesn't mean it will happen again, but the last 2 + weeks isn't encouraging.

Did you ever consider competition level? The Cowboys have played two teams fighting desperately for a wild card spot while Green Bay has played two dregs that were eliminated from any realistic playing contention before the season was even halfway over.

Level of competition? You mean those two teams we just played that aren't going to be in the playoffs? Yeah, I did consider the level of competition and it's not like we just got finished playing the Patriots and Colts.

And I'm sure the Lions and Eagles were "fighting desperately". I don't think being outfought by our last two opponents is a good thing. Did you see what the Chargers did to the Lions? Or the struggling Giants? Or Green Bay?

You can come up with excuses why we haven't played well the last few weeks, but the bottomline is that we haven't played well. All most are saying is that this needs to change in order for us to gain homefield and have a chance for the Super Bowl.

 

[Boysboy]

You can come up with excuses why we haven't played well the last few weeks, but the bottomline is that we haven't played well. All most are saying is that this needs to change in order for us to gain homefield and have a chance for the Super Bowl.

I'm very concerned too-but a win tomorrow night will at least make everyone feel alot better here.

 

[Bach]

I'm very concerned too-but a win tomorrow night will at least make everyone feel alot better here.

I agree. We definitely can't afford to lose another one.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Bach, you could say the exact same thing about the Patriots barely beating the Eagles, Ravens, and Jets. None of those teams are any good this year -- and the Ravens just lost to Miami!

 

[Trendnet]

but a win tomorrow night will at least make everyone feel alot better here.

I disagree that a win will make everyone feel better.

Matt Moore could complete a 8 yard pass on 3rd and 7 and the announcers will point out a "blown coverage"... and this board will have endless threads about how "if we don't tighten up our coverage Brett Favre will carve us up"... or Romo could throw a few passes too high and endless threads will start about how Romo's love life is affecting him.

The Cowboys could win 42 to 0 and the usual suspects will still complain. All in the guise of calling themselves "realists"...

 

[tyke1doe]

The Cowboys could win 42 to 0 and the usual suspects will still complain. All in the guise of calling themselves "realists"...

If the Cowboys win 42-0 I doubt you'll hear even the "realists" complaining, unless all 42 points come on defense.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I disagree that a win will make everyone feel better.

Matt Moore could complete a 8 yard pass on 3rd and 7 and the announcers will point out a "blown coverage"... and this board will have endless threads about how "if we don't tighten up our coverage Brett Favre will carve us up"... or Romo could throw a few passes too high and endless threads will start about how Romo's love life is affecting him.

The Cowboys could win 42 to 0 and the usual suspects will still complain. All in the guise of calling themselves "realists"...

look...the score is not as important to me as how we play....everyone knows 12 -2 is a great record...heck 12-4 is a great record...but in order for us to meet our goals it appears we are going to have to keep winning...and winning on the road...and we have to play better to win on the road...it we play as close to our potential as possible...if we play like a team that is serious about going to the Super Bowl...the score will take care of itself

 

[Bach]

Bach, you could say the exact same thing about the Patriots barely beating the Eagles, Ravens, and Jets. None of those teams are any good this year -- and the Ravens just lost to Miami!

Maybe so, but 1) I'm not a Pats fan and 2) The Pats have proven themselves over the years. It doesn't guarantee they'll win it all (I hope not), but no one doubts whether they know how to play come crunch time and the postseason.

We don't have a recent history of finishing strong, and since we haven't won a playoff game in years, you take our performance in the last 2+ games and our recent history and yeah, many fans are concerned.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

People are obviously concerned with our history of floundering down the stretch. Of course the past doesn't mean it will happen again, but the last 2 + weeks isn't encouraging.

Level of competition? You mean those two teams we just played that aren't going to be in the playoffs? Yeah, I did consider the level of competition and it's not like we just got finished playing the Patriots and Colts.

And I'm sure the Lions and Eagles were "fighting desperately". I don't think being outfought by our last two opponents is a good thing. Did you see what the Chargers did to the Lions? Or the struggling Giants? Or Green Bay?

You can come up with excuses why we haven't played well the last few weeks, but the bottomline is that we haven't played well. All most are saying is that this needs to change in order for us to gain homefield and have a chance for the Super Bowl.

No excuses here. Merely facts.

You're the one dealing in what-if hypotheticals, not I.

Level of competition is a very factual, quantifiable reality in the NFL. The Eagles and Lions are markedly better than the Rams and Raiders.

You should also understand that every team in the NFL loses from time to time, even great ones. The dynastic Cowboy teams of the 90s never lost fewer than 3 games in a season and usually lost 4. Those teams also lost games in (are you ready for this?) December. ::gasp!:: In fact, during the 1995 season, the Cowboys lost multiple times in that most important, momentum-building month. ::swoon::

So let's try to keep some vestige of perspective here. This current Cowboys team has lost a mere 2 games with only 2 games remaining, matching the best start in Cowboys' history. Forgive me if I'm not too concerned just yet.

And I would be wary of any argument predicated on the success of the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are 9-5 after going 14-2 last year. They put themselves in the precarious position of needing to win out. They trounced Detriot last week, but squeaked past Tennessee the previous week in overtime. And Tennessee is a team very similar to Detroit and Philly regarding dwindling playoff aspirations.

Are you really contending you would rather be in San Diego's position than Dallas'?

 

[Bach]

No excuses here. Merely facts.

You're the one dealing in what-if hypotheticals, not I.

Level of competition is a very factual, quantifiable reality in the NFL. The Eagles and Lions are markedly better than the Rams and Raiders.

You should also understand that every team in the NFL loses from time to time, even great ones. The dynastic Cowboy teams of the 90s never lost fewer than 3 games in a season and usually lost 4. Those teams also lost games in (are you ready for this?) December. ::gasp!:: In fact, during the 1995 season, the Cowboys lost multiple times in that most important, momentum-building month. ::swoon::

So let's try to keep some vestige of perspective here. This current Cowboys team has lost a mere 2 games with only 2 games remaining, matching the best start in Cowboys' history. Forgive me if I'm not too concerned just yet.
.

Do we have to go back a dozen years to find a time we had success after having a late season struggle? That makes me feel a lot better. thanks.

As I said earlier in the week, we shall find out soon enough what this team is made of. Hopefully we win the next two, gain homefield and perform strong in the playoffs.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Do we have to go back a dozen years to find a time we had success after having a late season struggle? That makes me feel a lot better. thanks.

Actually, we need only to revisit last season. The Colts went 2-3 in December, including a 44-17 trouncing at Jacksonville.