Michael Irvin thinks he knows exactly why the Cowboys lost to the Packers in the playoffs

[Future]

Had the defense played a bit better in that game, we wouldn't be second guessing all this. We were there & didn't play well enough to win. All this other garbage is excuses.

Well, I think you can make the argument that the defense simply wasn't ready to play. They were outschemed some early, but they were also unable to match the Packers' physicality early. That's a byproduct of a long layoff.

 

[cowboyblue22]

for a long time now tony Romo has been the whipping boy when the cowboys have lost over the last few years he didn't play so now its the defense always excuses why they don't win the simple fact is that they are not good enough from the top down fo coaching staff players just not good enough that's the bottom line

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Confirming what I've said all along. I'd extend that to even how they handled Zeke Elliott. It showed the same coward gender fluid safe space mindset.

Our coward coach blinked in the 2nd half of the Detroit game. The season was lost there. And much to the applause of many fans who didn't want to wisk our players getting huwt and stuff.

Coach of the year? Puh-leaze. He should have been fired the day after the playoff loss.

When Irvin speaks we listen.....that being said I totally agree. I said it the week before that we should play the entire game with our starters. We are being led by rookies and at the QB position(even though you don't like him) Dak needed all the reps he could get.

Hopefully we change our mindset. Look at New England, they played every game to win including week 17 and now Brady is 5 time champion. Garrett should copy Belichek instead of Saban or Duke basketball

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Well, I think you can make the argument that the defense simply wasn't ready to play. They were outschemed some early, but they were also unable to match the Packers' physicality early. That's a byproduct of a long layoff.

Exactly that's why after the first quarter the defense actually played really good. The first 20 minutes hurt us (refs and penalties too) but the team wasn't ready mentality and played catch up all game

 

[jobberone]

A poor pass rush against an elite QB is a poor recipe to winning a game esp in the playoffs. It exposes the defense too long. AR had a terrible game against the Falcons who were able to effectively rush the passer. The Packers know how to win in the playoffs and we are still learning. All the small things don't add up to the biggest problem.....a lack of pass rush.

Perhaps the layoff hurt some but that wasn't the reason we lost.

 

[xwalker]

Exactly that's why after the first quarter the defense actually played really good. The first 20 minutes hurt us (refs and penalties too) but the team wasn't ready mentality and played catch up all game

The penalties early killed a lot of momentum. The "huddle" penalty on Butler and a holding penalty on Free were big problems. If they had scored more early, then the running game would have remained a big part of the game-plan and that would have helped the defense.

 

[Ultra Warrior]

Look at New England, they played every game to win including week 17 and now Brady is 5 time champion

Ryan & the Falcons did the same & blew a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl. Both teams got a week layoff before that game. It's just excuses.

 

[SDCowboy]

And we made bizarre coaching decisions with the game on the line.

Yes, and that. haha

 

[Irvin88_4life]

The penalties early killed a lot of momentum. The "huddle" penalty on Butler and a holding penalty on Free were big problems. If they had scored more early, then the running game would have remained a big part of the game-plan and that would have helped the defense.

I don't blame just the defense. It was the entire team including coaches. Defense had the packers stopped on 3rd down 2 of the 3 first scoring drives by terrible calls by the refs extended it.

I really wish the substitution on defense would get fixed. Seems we get caught numerous times for that

 

[DejectedFan1996]

Yeah just like when we advanced to the NFCCG in 2014 after beating Washington 44-7 in week 17 with nothing to play for...oh wait.

Funny because we came out just as flat the following week against Detroit and took a miracle comeback by Romo and ref hell to advance to the divisional round.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

You might be right, but the Raiders might beg to differ with you. If Zeke or Dak blow out a knee in a meaningless game you would probably look at it differently. We all would. The Raiders might have been in the Super Bowl had they not lost Carr.

Injuries happen.....it's called football. It's not some sissy game. When you play not to get hurt that's when you get hurt. Can't believe people are really still debating about holding players out. If you have a bye week you don't hold players out and get almost 3 weeks of no football for those guys. That's stupid and a main reason we lost in the first game

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Yeah just like when we advanced to the NFCCG in 2014 after beating Washington 44-7 in week 17 with nothing to play for...oh wait.

Funny because we came out just as flat the following week against Detroit and took a miracle comeback by Romo and ref hell to advance to the divisional round.

Actually that was a tight game against detriot and didn't need any miracle or help from the ref to win it.

We shut out Philly in week 17 and the next week we beat them again by double digits to win our first playoff game in almost 20 years.......whats your point

 

[xwalker]

I don't blame just the defense. It was the entire team including coaches. Defense had the packers stopped on 3rd down 2 of the 3 first scoring drives by terrible calls by the refs extended it.

I really wish the substitution on defense would get fixed. Seems we get caught numerous times for that

Yes, it was a little bit of everybody that contributed to the loss. The attempted substitution was really bad considering that everybody knows that Rodgers often catches defenses trying to substitute. The only way defenses are going to be able to sub against Rodgers is by faking injuries.

 

[mldardy]

This doesn't confirm anything. We didn't lose the playoff game because we didn't play the starters very long at Philly. Such stupid silly logic. Kind of wish Irvin and others would move on. There is no one single reason why we lost to GB and it definitely wasn't because of Week 17. We lost time to move on to 2017.

 

[Risen Star]

Once Carr was out they were done. I really don't think the hoodie would say they were a better team without Carr.

No, but Belichick also wouldn't go into pre-season mode before the playoffs. You play to the end. If injuries happen, that's part of the game.

 

[WillieBeamen]

The time off hurt us, but we still should've won that game.

Poor clock-management, play-calling, and bad luck cost us the game

 

[noletime95]

Garrett was here for 2007. He did the same thing in 2016. He's not learning from anything. He doesn't have the stones to do it any other way. He will blink in the future. That's why he should be fired yesterday.

You should have seen it coming. When you actually try to rationalize the intelligence of playing Lance Dunbar on 3rd downs while Ezekiel Elliott is on your bench you know you have a weak leader at head coach. Someone who does that also gives the team a vacation before the playoffs. Safety over preparation. The Football Gods don't reward cowards. Ask Bill Belichick. He farts in Jason Garrett's direction.

Who does love our defense? A homer? It's bad. So no, I'm not liking that side of the ball or the archaic coordinator and his motivational t-shirts. I actually want a defense that performs on the field. Color me unreasonable.

Wade Phillips made the decision to rest players in 2007, can't blame Garrett for that.

You make some good points but teams don't go 13-3 with just a few good players. It takes more than an all pro RB and 4 good OL.

 

[Risen Star]

Wade Phillips made the decision to rest players in 2007, can't blame Garrett for that.

You make some good points but teams don't go 13-3 with just a few good players. It takes more than an all pro RB and 4 good OL.

I didn't blame Garrett for that. But he was there. He saw the results and chose to follow the same gutless path. Which predictably led to the same outcome. That I blame Garrett for. He's weak.

 

[skinsscalper]

The Philly game could have had a small role in the loss, but the reason we lost was because our defense was horrendous.

No. No. No.

That doesn't fit the narrative. Step aside, son. The #douchecrew are in the middle of a rally.

 

[Risen Star]

When Irvin speaks we listen.....that being said I totally agree. I said it the week before that we should play the entire game with our starters. We are being led by rookies and at the QB position(even though you don't like him) Dak needed all the reps he could get.

Hopefully we change our mindset. Look at New England, they played every game to win including week 17 and now Brady is 5 time champion. Garrett should copy Belichek instead of Saban or Duke basketball

Who knows better about the mental game of football than Michael Irvin?

I wish he chose to go into coaching after playing. Would love to have his mindset leading this team.