MAQB: Revisiting week 17 vs the Eagles

[Bleu Star]

It's crystal clear to me that it took our boys 20 of 60 minutes to shake off the resulting rust from three full weeks of inactivity. We played our brand of ball for 40 minutes. 40 minutes folks...

Yes. It's easy to say it in hindsight but I have to say it anyway. Given how far we were ahead of the pack to close the season, we should have treated the Eagles game like any other game and balled.

We went into that game yesterday against a team that was laser focused due to the rhythm achieved by playing through. It took us 20 minutes to achieve that same laser focus. If we come out yesterday clicking, we are having a different conversation this afternoon. Resting guys sucks. It's a necessary evil. I know.. But man... Woulda coulda shoulda. Yeah yeah. I'll just stop now.

 

[ryanbabs]

I totally agree. The fear of injuries kept us from staying sharp and focused. Need to keep the pedal to the medal.

 

[TwoDeep3]

Fool's gold.

Penalties derailed the offense. Marinelli made an adjustment to stop their offense but it was late.

 

[Aven8]

My problem with it all is the week before JG was spewing how we play all of our players blah blah blah. Then the next they all sit out.

 

[cowboyblue22]

coaching and penalties cost the cowboys this game as it has for several years now also no talent defense

 

[ifixoldhouses]

I said the same thing in another thread, was ridiculed, they did the same thing in 07 too.

 

[tecolote]

coaching and penalties cost the cowboys this game as it has for several years now also no talent defense

Also the offense had 13 points going into the 4th quarter against a horrible defense. It was too late after that.

 

[Tenkamenin]

Also the offense had 13 points going into the 4th quarter against a horrible defense. It was too late after that.

It wasn't too late because we tied the game. The defense could not stop the Packers for getting in scoring position, that's what did us in.

 

[tecolote]

It wasn't too late because we tied the game. The defense could not stop the Packers for getting in scoring position, that's what did us in.

Ok but getting behind so fast and not keeping up threw us off our game wich was feeding Zeke the ball.
Both the offense and the defense were bad until late in the second half that's all I'm saying.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

And if Zeke tore his achilles on the cold Philly turf in a meaningless game you all would feel the same way?

The cowboys came out slow in their bye, even though they won the game before the bye. The Philly game meant nothing

 

[Tenkamenin]

Ok but getting behind so fast and not keeping up threw us off our game wich was feeding Zeke the ball.
Both the offense and the defense were bad until late in the second half that's all I'm saying.

When we tied the game it's like starting over with a 0-0 score. Our defense at that point had a chance to force a turnover, or make a stop so we could head into OT. They were unable to do that just like they couldn't in 2014. The defense sucks!

 

[willia451]

When we tied the game it's like starting over with a 0-0 score. Our defense at that point had a chance to force a turnover, or make a stop so we could head into OT. They were unable to do that just like they couldn't do it in 2014. The defense sucks!

This. OMG so much this.

Marinelli came out with the wrong defensive scheme and we damn near got blown out because of it. They fixed that at halftime and at least tightened up a bit. The offense got rolling and tied up the game. And then the defense imploded yet again.

Should have gone for it on 4th down. Would have been better than being humiliated in our house on 3rd and 20.

 

[Direwolf63]

A ridiculous play by Rodgers on a 3rd and 20 with 15 seconds left did us in. This right after Rodgers somehow didn't fumble on the blindside hit by Heath the play before. Rodgers fumbles there, we hit the GW FG, not them.

This had nothing to do with the Philly game.

 

[reddyuta]

A ridiculous play by Rodgers on a 3rd and 20 with 15 seconds left did us in. This right after Rodgers somehow didn't fumble on the blindside hit by Heath the play before. Rodgers fumbles there, we hit the GW FG, not them.

This had nothing to do with the Philly game.

when are we going to get a break in the playoffs?its seems the dice never rolls in our favor in the playoffs.

 

[beacamdim]

It's crystal clear to me that it took our boys 20 of 60 minutes to shake off the resulting rust from three full weeks of inactivity. We played our brand of ball for 40 minutes. 40 minutes folks...

Yes. It's easy to say it in hindsight but I have to say it anyway. Given how far we were ahead of the pack to close the season, we should have treated the Eagles game like any other game and balled.

We went into that game yesterday against a team that was laser focused due to the rhythm achieved by playing through. It took us 20 minutes to achieve that same laser focus. If we come out yesterday clicking, we are having a different conversation this afternoon. Resting guys sucks. It's a necessary evil. I know.. But man... Woulda coulda shoulda. Yeah yeah. I'll just stop now.

I agree with your larger point, but McAdoo's decision to play WASH straight up didn't really work out any better.

 

[noshame]

As I said back at the game it is stupid to give a young team that's just beginning to jell time off to rest in an attempt to prevent injuries.

Although I'm not sure if they would have played tighter or if it would have helped Free who can't seem to pull his head out and play an entire decent game. Staying sharp was a better way to go

Free is free to go

I'll be here all week

 

[Super_Kazuya]

Even if they played five OTs against the Eagles for an extra long workout, they still were going to be staring at a bye week. Two weeks off no matter what.
What's sad is that the bye week worked for us... one of the benefits is the attrition of the Giants and Packers having to play right before us while we rest. And sure enough the Packers lost one of the best receivers in football as a result of having to play that week. Still couldn't take advantage.

 

[conner01]

I totally agree. The fear of injuries kept us from staying sharp and focused. Need to keep the pedal to the medal.

Except we would have still been off a week because we won division
By that logic you are better of winning wild card than division since you won't have an off week

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Resting players is ridiculous. Players play. That's what they are paid to do.

With our brilliant idea to rest our starters: Ezekial Elliot touched the ball 35 times in the last four weeks. That is not good for a running back who is 21 years old.

Terrible coaching and terrible idea to rest our players.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Also the offense had 13 points going into the 4th quarter against a horrible defense. It was too late after that.

People forget this part