My Only Concern: 2 Weeks Off

[guag]

I'm incredibly hyped about this team and our chances in the playoffs, especially with just about everyone coming back healthy and this defense seemingly gelling together at the perfect time.

However, as awesome as the bye is for getting guys healthy, I'm also a little concerned about the possibility of coming out flat in the Divisional round. This team seems to have a history of playing flat after bye weeks... even this season in the first Eagles game. We did win that one, but if you remember, we started out not so great (Dak with an end zone INT), and were trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter. We did eventually come back and win in OT, but it took some time to shake off the rust. We absolutely can't let this happen against the Giants or Packers.

Am I just being paranoid?

 

[jwooten15]

I don't know why, but I feel we are going to come out on fire.

Set the tone early and show the rest of the league what to expect the rest of the way.

I don't usually feel like this, but I think the rest will rejuvenate the team and we will come in super focused.

 

[ctrous25]

I like the theory of, "staying hot", during the season. However, I feel that Garrett will have these guys READY with little or no rust. I'm very confident in our team

 

[LandryFan]

I don't know why, but I feel we are going to come out on fire.

Set the tone early and show the rest of the league what to expect the rest of the way.

I don't usually feel like this, but I think the rest will rejuvenate the team and we will come in super focused.

I think we'll come out of the gate well, too. But I have a reason why I think that will happen: Leadership. The leaders of this team (players and coaches) will make sure it happens. This team works hard and doesn't take anything for granted. There is an air of professionalism and work ethic that I haven't witnessed on this team for many a moon. I like our chances.

 

[DenCWBY]

I'm incredibly hyped about this team and our chances in the playoffs, especially with just about everyone coming back healthy and this defense seemingly gelling together at the perfect time.

However, as awesome as the bye is for getting guys healthy, I'm also a little concerned about the possibility of coming out flat in the Divisional round. This team seems to have a history of playing flat after bye weeks... even this season in the first Eagles game. We did win that one, but if you remember, we started out not so great (Dak with an end zone INT), and were trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter. We did eventually come back and win in OT, but it took some time to shake off the rust. We absolutely can't let this happen against the Giants or Packers.

Am I just being paranoid?

No paranoia and I agree, it's been a part of our make up coming off long periods of off time. I leave it up to the coaches to have them ready from the first tick of the play clock. That was one thing about Jimmy Johnson is he always had our teams prepared for the playoffs (bye or no bye). I hope JG has this all worked out because (considering who we'll be playing) there is no or hardly anytime to knock off the rust. We need to perform like the top NFC team we're seeded as.

 

[JD_KaPow]

I'm incredibly hyped about this team and our chances in the playoffs, especially with just about everyone coming back healthy and this defense seemingly gelling together at the perfect time.

However, as awesome as the bye is for getting guys healthy, I'm also a little concerned about the possibility of coming out flat in the Divisional round. This team seems to have a history of playing flat after bye weeks... even this season in the first Eagles game. We did win that one, but if you remember, we started out not so great (Dak with an end zone INT), and were trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter. We did eventually come back and win in OT, but it took some time to shake off the rust. We absolutely can't let this happen against the Giants or Packers.

Am I just being paranoid?

Yes.

In that Eagles game, we drove 75 yards for a TD on our second drive. We drove 52 yards for a FG on our third drive. On our fifth drive, we drove 68 yards before the end zone INT. All against a very good defense. And we gave up one FG in the Eagles first three drives. That's not coming out flat.

We weren't "flat" in the Giants games (the other ones where we had longish layovers). Our offense was just outplayed by their defense all game long. If we play them again, we need to figure that out.

In general, "flat" is just another way of saying that the other team is outplaying you.

We have had a few games where the defense didn't start well: 49ers, Ravens, Lions. I can't think of one where the offense stumbled around for a while before finding their footing: when the offense struggled, against the Giants and Vikings, it pretty much struggled for the whole game.

 

[Idgit]

Normally, I prefer to just play through meaningless games and use the reps to get better, but with the ankle sprains and back issues and soft tissue stuff we've had, it made a lot of sense to rest people. I don't worry about the time off, and I do get the feeling that this team is getting ready to play a monster game in the playoffs (though our opponent might be just as good and just as ready).

If I worry about anything at all, it's a positions like Lawrence and Claiborne where we sort of have a rhythm with our backups that's working and introducing them back into things--even though they're better players--might make it difficult for their position groups to really hit the ground running. But there you have to just trust the position group coaches to use the players in roles where we get the benefit of their superior athleticism without taking away from a personnel group that's been playing well together in recent weeks.

I'm not at all worried about Dak or the rest of the players who've been logging a lot of snaps being flat after a week or two off. They're getting plenty of reps in practice, and they have worked together a lot at this point.

 

[Avery]

Playoffs are a different animal. Health matters; look at the cake walk of QB play in the AFC and tell me if anyone really thinks OAK, MIA or HOU is going to beat PIT, NE or KC.

You're either focused or not. If you come out flat, it's not shaking off the cobwebs, its mental.

This may or may not be our year and our youth may be a blessing or a curse, but it will be fun and frustrating to watch.

 

[guag]

I hope (and suspect) ya'll are right. This is a different team from previous seasons and I too feel in my gut we will be ready, but I can't help but think about it.

Yes.

In that Eagles game, we drove 75 yards for a TD on our second drive. We drove 52 yards for a FG on our third drive. On our fifth drive, we drove 68 yards before the end zone INT. All against a very good defense. And we gave up one FG in the Eagles first three drives. That's not coming out flat.

We weren't "flat" in the Giants games (the other ones where we had longish layovers). Our offense was just outplayed by their defense all game long. If we play them again, we need to figure that out.

In general, "flat" is just another way of saying that the other team is outplaying you.

We have had a few games where the defense didn't start well: 49ers, Ravens, Lions. I can't think of one where the offense stumbled around for a while before finding their footing: when the offense struggled, against the Giants and Vikings, it pretty much struggled for the whole game.

Ah, I didn't remember that about the Eagles game, when seeing the actual stats it did seem as though the offense was churning. Makes me feel a bit better.

 

[JoeKing]

Cowboys = World beaters.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Use that extra time off to work on trick plays! I want to see flea flickers, more WR passes, hook and laterals, etc. Make the Packers/Giants pay with new wrinkles that they never would have expected. A lot of college teams do that in the weeks off they have to prepare for bowl games and it usually works.

 

[Aven8]

I think you are thinking of the old Cowboy teams. I'm guilty of it as well. Dak and company don't seem to care about that past stuff. Give the ball to 21 at least 30-35 times and lets make a date for the NFC title game!

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Would you rather play now with guys banged up? If I'm not mistaken, the last 3 years all of the #1 seeds made the SB.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I'm incredibly hyped about this team and our chances in the playoffs, especially with just about everyone coming back healthy and this defense seemingly gelling together at the perfect time.

However, as awesome as the bye is for getting guys healthy, I'm also a little concerned about the possibility of coming out flat in the Divisional round. This team seems to have a history of playing flat after bye weeks... even this season in the first Eagles game. We did win that one, but if you remember, we started out not so great (Dak with an end zone INT), and were trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter. We did eventually come back and win in OT, but it took some time to shake off the rust. We absolutely can't let this happen against the Giants or Packers.

Am I just being paranoid?

We are a physical football team on offense. So rest is good for this team. Zeke is still 21. His body has NEVER endured what he just went through. Martin and Frederick have played in every game. Smith has been hampered all year. Free has been hampered all year. Dez missed games due to his knee and will always battle back issues. Witten is always playing through nicks. All of these aforementioned guys play a physical brand of football. Letting there bodies rest and recuperate is what is best...regardless of the outcome.

 

[Ranching]

I'm incredibly hyped about this team and our chances in the playoffs, especially with just about everyone coming back healthy and this defense seemingly gelling together at the perfect time.

However, as awesome as the bye is for getting guys healthy, I'm also a little concerned about the possibility of coming out flat in the Divisional round. This team seems to have a history of playing flat after bye weeks... even this season in the first Eagles game. We did win that one, but if you remember, we started out not so great (Dak with an end zone INT), and were trailing by 10 in the 4th quarter. We did eventually come back and win in OT, but it took some time to shake off the rust. We absolutely can't let this happen against the Giants or Packers.

Am I just being paranoid?

No you are not being paranoid. Its a real concern, the reality of it all can set in and add more pressure to a young team. Garrett and staff need to earn their money this week. The distraction of the Gregory issue might actually help.

 

[Nightman]

They could have gone to Miami to do drugs with Bieber, Trey Songz and Johnny Football like the NYG did or is that Menudo?????

 

[Nightman]

We are a physical football team on offense. So rest is good for this team. Zeke is still 21. His body has NEVER endured what he just went through. Martin and Frederick have played in every game. Smith has been hampered all year. Free has been hampered all year. Dez missed games due to his knee and will always battle back issues. Witth een is always playing through nicks. All of these aforementioned guys play a physical brand of football. Letting there bodies rest and recuperate is what is best...regardless of the outcome.

The Rookie Wall is real and Zeke and Dak can use the rest....so can all our injured guys

If they come out flat it is on them and they deserve to suffer for it

 

[Ranching]

They could have gone to Miami to do drugs with Bieber, Trey Songz and Johnny Football like the NYG did or is that Menudo?????

They can party just as hard in Dallas if they want too. As for the drugs, I'm sure Gregory knowa a guy. Lol

 

[MileyDancer]

I don't know why, but I feel we are going to come out on fire.

Set the tone early and show the rest of the league what to expect the rest of the way.

I don't usually feel like this, but I think the rest will rejuvenate the team and we will come in super focused.

I'm with you. I think so, too.

 

[dallasfan4lizife]

Would you rather play now with guys banged up? If I'm not mistaken, the last 3 years all of the #1 seeds made the SB.

You have to go and jinx us didn't you?