Now that we've reached our yearly 8th win, let's talk

[Proximo]

So here we are, 8-3 with 5 to go. Just got done sweeping the Giants for the 2nd straight year and now we're staring at a Thanksgiving showdown against the Eagles in what could end up being the most important game of the year. Boy is this fun!

What a year this has turned out to be. This isn't what I expected back in August, and I'm definitely not sure how it's going to end- but this ride has been a good one.

So the big question now is- how is the home stretch going to play out?

My 2 cents:

I think these next 2 games are going to be our primary opportunity to take control of the East, if not the conference. This 3 games in 12 days stretch is going to be critical. And honestly, I wouldn't have been shocked if we would've lost last night's game. It just had that feel of the late season games we've lost in recent years. But, just like the rest of this season has proven, this is clearly not the same team we've seen the last few years. And I think one of the main differences is, we have an identity and the way we play is not only sustainable, but perhaps even built for these upcoming December games. And it is so satisfying to be able to say that.

We are certainly capable of beating the Eagles in our house on Thanksgiving. If we can get through that and take care of business in Chicago (and stay healthy), we should most definitely be headed for the playoffs. Sitting at 10-3 heading into basically a mini-bye would be a very nice spot. I don't expect us to finish 13-3, but if we get to 10-3, we could definitely realistically finish with 11 or 12 wins.

I can't remember the last time I felt this good about our chances.

Romo is playing lights out, the O line and run game are dominant and basically unstoppable, and the defense has been nothing short of a pleasant surprise. We're seeing a well coached team that plays with tenacity and grit. Let's hope it carries into December and beyond.

 

[casmith07]

I think more than anything we just need to beat the Eagles twice this year. If we can do that, the rest will shake itself out for the NFC East, IMO. Of course winning out, or nearly winning out would be great as well.

 

[MissouriCowboy]

Proximo I agree what you laying out there,,,,,,,,,,I say at worse Dallas splits with the Beagles and wins out.

 

[Proximo]

I think more than anything we just need to beat the Eagles twice this year. If we can do that, the rest will shake itself out for the NFC East, IMO. Of course winning out, or nearly winning out would be great as well.

Sweeping the Eagles would be huge. If we can do that it makes some of those other games less critical. It'll be interesting to see how the remainder of their season plays out with Sanchez at the helm. I won't be surprised if they finish poorly.

 

[Proximo]

Proximo I agree what you laying out there,,,,,,,,,,I say at worse Dallas splits with the Beagles and wins out.

I'd be completely fine with that.

 

[xwalker]

I think more than anything we just need to beat the Eagles twice this year. If we can do that, the rest will shake itself out for the NFC East, IMO. Of course winning out, or nearly winning out would be great as well.

This. They must beat the Eagles once and really need to do it both times.

 

[casmith07]

Sweeping the Eagles would be huge. If we can do that it makes some of those other games less critical. It'll be interesting to see how the remainder of their season plays out with Sanchez at the helm. I won't be surprised if they finish poorly.

I would be surprised. Everyone they play loves to just lay down and give them multiple defensive or special teams scores. Yesterday was the first time they scored a touchdown on offense that wasn't in garbage time in like three weeks.

 

[Crown Royal]

Couldn't ask for a better game on Thursday. Both teams have flaws and keep waiting on the other to drop a game somewhere. It just hasn't happened so now we are forced to go head to head two times. Really hope we can take advantage of being home on Thursday.

 

[Crown Royal]

I would be surprised. Everyone they play loves to just lay down and give them multiple defensive or special teams scores. Yesterday was the first time they scored a touchdown on offense that wasn't in garbage time in like three weeks.

Our ST has not been so great this year. Now with Heath out it's a concern. Bisaccia is coaching for his job.

 

[Dion2288]

We go 4-1 down the stretch, finish 12-4.

The Cardinals collapse and miss the playoffs. The Lions fall apart, again.

The Packers get home field. Cowboys get a 1st round bye.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

If we could go 5-1 in the division again this year I'd be pleased beyond belief.

 

[Nexx]

one game at time baby, one game at a time.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I think we need to keep the same type of plan that we have been doing. And the Giants game was a good example of sticking to the plan and not panicking because the defense was playing like a sieve in the first half. We kept running the ball and we switched it up on first and second downs. The defense started to come around and you could see that the Giants defense started to wear down towards the end. We limited the amount of pass attempts Romo had to make and the offense was very efficient and effective in the process. We'll have to see how the offense handles the 3-4 as 2 of our losses have come against 3-4 teams.


YR

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think we need to keep the same type of plan that we have been doing. And the Giants game was a good example of sticking to the plan and not panicking because the defense was playing like a sieve in the first half. We kept running the ball and we switched it up on first and second downs.

It reminded me of the Rams game. Keep running the ball.

 

[Proximo]

one game at time baby, one game at a time.

I always laugh when people say this.

We're fans, not players. We can look as far ahead and speculate/predict as much as we want. As long as the team isn't looking ahead.

 

[Proximo]

I think we need to keep the same type of plan that we have been doing. And the Giants game was a good example of sticking to the plan and not panicking because the defense was playing like a sieve in the first half. We kept running the ball and we switched it up on first and second downs. The defense started to come around and you could see that the Giants defense started to wear down towards the end. We limited the amount of pass attempts Romo had to make and the offense was very efficient and effective in the process. We'll have to see how the offense handles the 3-4 as 2 of our losses have come against 3-4 teams.


YR

Agreed. It's refreshing to see the team stick to their plan and remain composed. You can tell they're confident and believe in "the process", so to speak.

 

[Proximo]

We go 4-1 down the stretch, finish 12-4.

The Cardinals collapse and miss the playoffs. The Lions fall apart, again.

The Packers get home field. Cowboys get a 1st round bye.

I like this. However it shakes out though, I strongly prefer we not travel to Lambeau at any point.

 

[VACowboy]

Couldn't ask for a better game on Thursday. Both teams have flaws and keep waiting on the other to drop a game somewhere. It just hasn't happened so now we are forced to go head to head two times. Really hope we can take advantage of being home on Thursday

Very well-said. I think the Cowboys have fewer flaws, though, and I do not buy the full-time, up-tempo offense as a solution in the NFL.

Couldn't agree more on winning at home. Winning on the road doesn't mean much if you don't take care of business on your own turf.

I think one of the main differences is, we have an identity and the way we play is not only sustainable, but perhaps even built for these upcoming December games. And it is so satisfying to be able to say that.

Yeah, me too. I absolutely love the physical, power-running, line up and punch you in the mouth way the Cowboys play. Football swag doesn't get much better than that. I also love the fast and furious, play hard and quick, everybody smack the guy with the ball defense Martinelli is preaching. I think we're just a few players away from putting it together on D.

On the other hand, Philly's offense seems gimmicky and soft to me.

 

[cowboys1981]

Let's beat the Eagles Thursday and send them home shaken with confidence against a newly confident Seattle defense. I'm confident Philly loses that one and sweeping them will have us focused on getting a bye. As long as we keep winning everything will take care of itself.

The Oline will carry us and it's been a long time since we can say that with confidence. It goes to show where the games are won and lost.

Defense has improved in stopping the run. Still need to be a little more consistent in applying pressure. I don't want to see anymore 4 pass rushers on 3rd down. Set the tone early and make the opposing QB know there will be pressure coming. When we started doing more stunts it really caused the line to breakdown for NY last night. Eli started going through reads too fast and it may have contributed to that mis throw that led to the INT and missing Beckham running solo wide open.

 

[JakeCamp12]

I think we need to keep the same type of plan that we have been doing. And the Giants game was a good example of sticking to the plan and not panicking because the defense was playing like a sieve in the first half. We kept running the ball and we switched it up on first and second downs. The defense started to come around and you could see that the Giants defense started to wear down towards the end. We limited the amount of pass attempts Romo had to make and the offense was very efficient and effective in the process. We'll have to see how the offense handles the 3-4 as 2 of our losses have come against 3-4 teams.


YR

JPP was sucking wind on that last drive. Running the ball early and often helps wear down the defense. It was great seeing the OLine just manhandle the Giants defense in the 4th quarter.