My take on what it will take for the Cowboys to win

[Pass2Run]

We're going to have to beat the 9ers at some point and they have McCaffrey, which means they get to practice against a player who's very similar to Pollard.

I still think the 9ers are the team to beat in the NFC.

If they win this game, which it looks like they will, the 9ers are going to be a tough team for any team in the NFC.

 

[Pass2Run]

The Bucs play WAY better against the run than the pass. If we are gonna try and run the ball to set up the pass we'll be looking at a lot of 3rd and longs.

We need to pass to set up the run..

 

[Clove]

So this entire thread is about what Dak should do? How about what the defense should do or what the offensive line should do? We need the defense to stop Brady, we need the special teams to not be a disaster, we need the offensive like to be an offensive line and not a turnstile, we need the receivers to runs crisp routes and not drop the ball, we need the runners to find open lanes and get there, and we need Dak Prescott not to be an idiot and hit his targets without throwing interceptions. I summed it up for you.

 

[Rockport]

I'm not a hater; I'm a Cowboys fan.
You're a Dak fan.
We are not the same. And you can't understand what you aren't willing to see.

I’m a Cowboy fan since before you were born. You’re a hater, pure and simple. I watched Tom Landry coach this team from losers to Super Bowl winners. You do nothing but crap on Dak. So take your BS and stick it.

 

[Pantone282C]

Lean on the run game is the mantra of the delusional fan still clinging to the early nineties. 2016 was the only time we did that and we killed it almost overnight

Not judging your opinion, just wondering what your mean.
I personally think if we have a balanced attack with good play calling, we have a good chance of winning.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

You need to produce either documents that prove your allegations against me, or tell me your real name before you respond to any of my posts.
I'm sick of your lies and I will find out who you are.

my name is Expose You

tell me if you were not sued when you had your Dry Wall business?

 

[leeblair]

my name is Expose You

tell me if you were not sued when you had your Dry Wall business?

You are making up lies. You've gone too far.
Where's the proof of your lies?
Come on, you coward!
It will come home to you.

 

[zekecowboy]

IF the Cowboys will focus on their run game and plays that don't put the onus on Dak to make the difference, he'll have a great game. Dak doesn't respond well to game plans or situations that revolve around and depend on his ability to move the team.
But, if he is not the central focus of the offensive scheme, and the Cowboys defense plays aggressive early, Dak will shine. Any time the coaches see Dak being pressured to make a play, they must change the narrative and keep the pressure on the running backs.
Dak is great when he doesn't feel that he has to be the leader. If the Cowboys can grab the momentum early and Dak can take his time assimilating into the game plan, that's when he is at his best. He's that way because he is a nice guy, and doesn't know how to be the guy that is "in your face" with the game.
In short, the Cowboys can count on Dak's best if he doesn't know they are counting on it.
Some players are just that way. Dak is a chameleon; he plays like the rest of the team is playing - good, or bad. He'll play great if he feels like the rest of the team is carrying the load..
Mark my word; If Dak is relaxed when he hits the field and is allowed to think the rest of the team will carry him, he'll play well. But if he thinks the pressure is on him get ready for some three-and-outs.
This is the secret to Dak Prescott. He wants to be part of the team and enjoy their success, but he doesn't want to have to lead them.

I want to see what Jerry does with McCarthy if Dallas loses the game.

Buccaneers vs. Cowboys: Jerry Jones goes back on his word​

Earlier this week, Jerry Jones did his weekly radio appearance and stated that if the Cowboys lose to the Buccaneers, Mike McCarthy will not lose his job. I don't believe him. If Dallas loses to Tampa on Monday night (which I, a Cowboys fan, have been predicting will happen since it became clear all the way back in October that we would likely see this matchup on Super Wild Card Weekend), then the Cowboys will have a new coach next season. Whether that's Dan Quinn, Sean Payton, or somebody else, is not yet clear. But it won't be Mike McCarthy.

 

[JoeKing]

There is far too much concern being expressed here on how the sausage is made. In the end, all that matters is the Cowboys outscoring the Bucs and not how they do it.

 

[leeblair]

I’m a Cowboy fan since before you were born. You’re a hater, pure and simple. I watched Tom Landry coach this team from losers to Super Bowl winners. You do nothing but crap on Dak. So take your BS and stick it.

You're a Dak fan. Everyone here knows it.
I would be, too, if I hadn't seen him choke for the last six years, and hadn't been forced to endure 14 years of Garrett.
Dak is Garrett 2.0, and I am not wiling to settle for moral victories.

 

[leeblair]

I’m with you on the running game. We’re not in the regular season anymore and it has to do well. Having said that do you remember the Xmas Eve game? Sure Hurts didn’t play but he doesn’t play defense. Dak had that early awful pick 6 but after that it was one of his finest games. One of Moore’s finest games as a play caller. This is a team game and everyone has to come together. When one mistake happens it happens to everyone no matter what position.

I think Dak can have a big game as long as he doesn't have to.
I don't know if you understand what I mean, but Dak-although not a leader- can put up big numbers if he is playing complimentary football. Some guys are like that; he just doesn't respond well to the pressure of having to lead.
But if he feels that he is able to add to the plan instead of being the plan, he may produce a lot.
You have to work with what you have.

 

[plasticman]

It will take what it takes for every team to be successful in the postseason.

Their best players must play their best football.

This is what separates the great ones from the rest. This is why they get paid, it has very little to do with the regular season. They are getting paid to perform in the big games under the big lights in front of a national audience

Look at the Cowboys in the 80's. Those guys winning playoff games for the Cowboys weren't no-names, it was the Triplets, their offensive stars.

Look at the 49es on Saturday. Which players had the gaudy numbers? McCafferty and Samuels,

Dak, Zeke and CeeDee are supposed to be the stars. This is their game. This is the time to step up and be a star in this league.

Parsons and Diggs cannot disappear during a playoff game. They have to make the big defensive plays.

If these guys shine in the playoffs the Cowboys will be successful

 

[diamonddelts]

I don't think Dak should be in the NFL. He's a nice guy, but he's not NFL caliber. Plenty of people can throw a football accurately if they get to stand behind a wall and take their time, but NFL caliber is a different skill set. Dak doesn't make good decisions under pressure- and that is not just talking about the pass rush. He chokes whenever the game requires him to make the difference. He has never been the reason the Cowboys went from struggling to winning. Someone else has to make the difference.
That's not NFL caliber.

Does his backup belong in the NFL?

 

[diamonddelts]

well if dak goes down, and rush comes in, we win this one.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.

 

[diamonddelts]

It will take what it takes for every team to be successful in the postseason.

Their best players must play their best football.

This is what separates the great ones from the rest. This is why they get paid, it has very little to do with the regular season. They are getting paid to perform in the big games under the big lights in front of a national audience

Look at the Cowboys in the 80's. Those guys winning playoff games for the Cowboys weren't no-names, it was the Triplets, their offensive stars.

Look at the 49es on Saturday. Which players had the gaudy numbers? McCafferty and Samuels,

Dak, Zeke and CeeDee are supposed to be the stars. This is their game. This is the time to step up and be a star in this league.

Parsons and Diggs cannot disappear during a playoff game. They have to make the big defensive plays.

If these guys shine in the playoffs the Cowboys will be successful

Agree with the entire post except for Zeke. Replace his name with Pollard and this post is gold.

 

[Verdict]

X Factors this game:

Offense:

1. Getting the ball to Pollard in space.
2. No turnovers
3. Legitimate play calling.

Defense:

1. Making TB one dimensional (kill the run).
2. LVE and Hankins playing lights out.
3. Finding a corner who can play that 2nd outside corner at least at some legitimate level. (Rhodes?, coaching up the Rapper?, some other reject)

 

[Silverstar]

Run Dak run!

 

[plasticman]

Agree with the entire post except for Zeke. Replace his name with Pollard and this post is gold.

I mention Zeke due to his salary, which would then be justified of he were to dominate in the playoffs. That's really why he was drafted #4 overall. He was supposed to be the next Emmitt Smith.

He has not played up to expectations but he could turn his career right around if he were to have a couple 100 yard playoff games this year.

 

[leeblair]

Does his backup belong in the NFL?

Yes. He's proven that he does. We don't know how good he can be, but with Prescott we have seen him repeatedly choke when the game gets too big for him.
Rush responded to the pressure by producing from the start.