NFL network predicts Tampa win

[Go Big D!]

If our D plays the way it did against the Giants, we'll kick the crap out of the Bucs. I have no doubt that our O will get back on track this game. This is one of those games where we find out not only what the players are made of, but the coaches too. I want to see how bad they want to get the bad taste of a loss out of their mouths.....

Hope you're right

 

[Vtwin]

There are three distinct seasons within a season.

Before Thankgiving when teams are finding out what they are, establishing their identity. You've got to get some wins to stay in contention but overall this is the least important segment.

After T-day when you, and your opponents, know what you are. Wins are harder to come by as there are fewer surprises and teams have a book on how to play you. This is the time when the cream rises to the top. Games are more important and playoff spots and seedings are decided now. The pressure is increased.

The playoffs when the opposition is all quality and there is nowhere to hide your deficiencies. Obviously the pressure it at its highest and its do or die.

The Cowboys breezed through stage 1, which is now meaningless.

Stage 2 is off to a rocky start. The Tampa game is a huge game. Possibly the biggest game to date in determining what exactly this Cowboys team really is. This game could tell us a lot about whether the fantastic record through the least important part of the season is an accurate reflection of this team or is it a reflection of a decent team that had things fall their way more often than not.

I don't know which way its going to go but I don't think it will be an easy win by any stretch.

 

[MileyDancer]

11 wins in a row and we drop one game and suddenly we have lots of problems?

Huge problems. After all, if we had won what would the media have to harp on?

 

[SportsGuru80]

Good good!

 

[ctrous25]

If our D plays the way it did against the Giants, we'll kick the crap out of the Bucs. I have no doubt that our O will get back on track this game. This is one of those games where we find out not only what the players are made of, but the coaches too. I want to see how bad they want to get the bad taste of a loss out of their mouths.....

 

[cowboyblue22]

most fans on here don't want to think it but this team is in trouble when you have a opportunity to go and clench the division and home field and you lay a egg tells you a lot about who they are this team needs a qb that can pass them out of this or its going tobe a wild card and one done and a epic collapse without really good qb play this month the cowboys are done its that simple and one of the best opportunities for a superbowl win is flushed down the toliet

 

[dallasfan4lizife]

most fans on here don't want to think it but this team is in trouble when you have a opportunity to go and clench the division and home field and you lay a egg tells you a lot about who they are this team needs a qb that can pass them out of this or its going tobe a wild card and one done and a epic collapse without really good qb play this month the cowboys are done its that simple and one of the best opportunities for a superbowl win is flushed down the toliet

You're overthinking this..

 

[Parche]

Our defense has looked better and better over the last few weeks.

I'm actually encouraged by our team even though they lost.

We just got in a situation where our QB and offensive coordinator didn't have an answer. They need to figure it out.

When you press us and blitz us we have to have an answer.

I agree with you. As long as we can play our D like last sunday, I like our chances. I find easier to fix problems on our O, than on our D.

If our D plays like last sunday, we´ll be fine.

 

[Scandri100]

Tampa **** sucks we will destroy them even with Prescott at qb...horrible matchup for them.

 

[Joe Realist]

If we can't win the next 2, then this season is over in playoff game one. THIS is what you are fighting for. Two games in a row at HOME against PLAYOFF teams. Win the next 2 and everything is aligned. NFC East, BYE, HFA. Lose, then it is what it is.

 

[1972COWBOY]

Cowboys had trended downward the last few games and the a Bucs are licking their chops. Lets see what happens at home.

 

[Chuck 54]

The offense has been under-performing lately; it's not just the defenses we've played. It's poor execution and/or losing 1-1 battles.

• That's a fact that only an ostrich would deny.
• It is a concern; that's a fact that we cannot deny.
• If the offense continues to struggle, it will become a bigger concern and a bigger story every week....that's a fact.

It's up to the coaches and the players to go out and execute and put this story behind them. If they can't do that, then there is a major reason to be alarmed, and quoting the team record and pretending all is well is just stupid. It's a real concern until it's not.

 

[erod]

The temperature for Sunday nite is forecast to be windy and low 20's.
They have Doug Martin and we have the zeketer.
They have Mike Evans and we have dez.
They have a great dline and lbers.
We have a great o line.
This should be a fantastic matchup.
Hopefully we can grind out a win.

Yeah, they'll be indoors, so.........

 

[Parche]

If we can't win the next 2, then this season is over in playoff game one. THIS is what you are fighting for. Two games in a row at HOME against PLAYOFF teams. Win the next 2 and everything is aligned. NFC East, BYE, HFA. Lose, then it is what it is.

Things get A LOT easier just winning next one with Tampa. But I agree with you, both games are PO caliber, so it will be a reaally good test on us.

 

[bayeslife]

Our problems i.e. playing two of the best defenses on the road.

 

[erod]

Just pointing out it was not the past few games. The game vs Minn was tough but it has been tough for every team who had gone up to Minn and played there. NY game was just a poor outing no excuses but it just appears at the 1st sign of trouble some people go into this panic mode of what is wrong with the Cowboys. Outside of losing last weeks game there is nothing wrong.

Heck I'm more encouraged that the defense played as well as they did and should help build some confidence on that side of the ball.

The defense is very encouraging, but the book is out on our offense. Good defenses can shut us down pretty easily.

The left DE stays disciplined for the play-action roll-out, and the defense sells out on Zeke and covering the short passes in the middle (for Beasley and Witten) of the field. Make Dak throw from the pocket to the side and deep areas of the field. He's got to prove he can do that, or this is isn't going to get better this season.

 

[Doomsday101]

The defense is very encouraging, but the book is out on our offense. Good defenses can shut us down pretty easily.

The left DE stays disciplined for the play-action roll-out, and the defense sells out on Zeke and covering the short passes in the middle (for Beasley and Witten) of the field. Make Dak throw from the pocket to the side and deep areas of the field. He's got to prove he can do that, or this is isn't going to get better this season.

Sorry I don't buy that. Pitt is a good defense did not shut us down, Raven are a good defense did not shut us down. Vikes game Cowboys had so many penalties some that cost us big plays that came back. NY they played poorly. If you feel the book is out and it is all down hill from here fine I don't.

 

[windward]

most fans on here don't want to think it but this team is in trouble when you have a opportunity to go and clench the division and home field and you lay a egg tells you a lot about who they are this team needs a qb that can pass them out of this or its going tobe a wild card and one done and a epic collapse without really good qb play this month the cowboys are done its that simple and one of the best opportunities for a superbowl win is flushed down the toliet

NEWSFLASH: Super Bowl contenders have lost tough games to other playoff contenders before.

 

[windward]

The offense has been under-performing lately; it's not just the defenses we've played. It's poor execution and/or losing 1-1 battles.

• That's a fact that only an ostrich would deny.
• It is a concern; that's a fact that we cannot deny.
• If the offense continues to struggle, it will become a bigger concern and a bigger story every week....that's a fact.

It's up to the coaches and the players to go out and execute and put this story behind them. If they can't do that, then there is a major reason to be alarmed, and quoting the team record and pretending all is well is just stupid. It's a real concern until it's not.

A lot of it is that they are playing really good defenses on the road. In fact it's the primary reason.

 

[erod]

Sorry I don't buy that. Pitt is a good defense did not shut us down, Raven are a good defense did not shut us down. Vikes game Cowboys had so many penalties some that cost us big plays that came back. NY they played poorly. If you feel the book is out and it is all down hill from here fine I don't.

They played us more straight up. They stacked the box, but didn't counter the rollouts and didn't do anything special in the secondary. The play-action rollout was killing teams. Dak is very comfortable rolling to his right. Teams are going to take that away now.

There are a thousand points out there on the edges and deep seams. When Dak shows he can do that, they'll have to back off.

We're also missing the back-shoulder throws, which are Dez' favorite plays. Dak isn't as comfortable with those yet.