Random mini-factoids...

[silverbear]

1) The Cowboys currently have the fourth best points differential in the league, at +114... the Bears are +168, the Chargers are +140, and the Pats are +116... until I looked at those numbers earlier today, I didn't realize they ranked that high in this important stat...

2) For the second week in a row, the Boys do not list ANYBODY on their injury report... this is incredible good fortune, this late in the season... certainly, they haven't enjoyed a run of injury-free good fortune like this in quite a few seasons... this might be their ace in the hole come playoff time (unless the injury bug bites between now and then, God forbid)...

3) As most of you may already know, the Boys get three of their last four games at home... this, combined with their hot play ever since Tony Romo took over the starting QB job, has me optimistic that they can earn home field advantage in the playoffs against every team except the Bears... I do still worry a bit about the Seahawks, but if the Boys win out, I feel certain they'll be the number 2 seed in the playoffs...

4) The Cowboys have one of the league's elite offenses... they rank in the top 5 in the following categories:

Total Offense-- 4th, 375.6 yards per game...

Yards Per Play-- 4th, 5.7...

First Downs Per Game-- 2nd, 22.0...

Third Down Conversion Percentage-- 2nd, 49.4%...

Time Of Possession-- 2nd, 32:28...

Rushing Attempts-- 2nd, 32.4 attempts per game...

Rushing TDs-- 2nd, 17...

Passing Offense-- 5th, 245.0 yards per game...

Passing TDs-- Tied 5th, 20...

Scoring-- 2nd, 27.7 points per game...

5) The Cowboys' defense isn't as dominating as their offense is, but it's still pretty good (top 10, anyway)... here are the major categories in which they rank in the top 5 in the league:

Rushing Defense-- 4th, 90.3 yards per game...

Rushing Attempts-- 5th, 24.9 attempts per game...

First Downs Rushing-- 5th, 58...

Completion Percentage Allowed-- tied 3rd, 56.2%...

TD passes Allowed-- tied 5th, 11...

6) If Mat McBriar is not the NFC's punter in the Pro Bowl, something's seriously wrong... he leads the NFL in gross punting average at 48.7 yards per punt, and is 5th (2nd in the NFC) in net punting average, at 38.5 yards per punt...

Just some things for us all to ponder as we enjoy this winning streak...

 

[Clove]

How long has it been since we've been proud of our very own offense? Wow!

Now if we can just learn how to get after the QB more.

 

[sago1]

Really good info; hard to believe our offense is so good. We used to make so many mistakes which shortcutted our ability to score and win games. Now we don't make anywhere near the mistakes and it's a pleasure to sit back and watch these players get it down. Hats off to our QB, WRs, TEs, RBs, FB Hoyte (we gotta give this guy a name like we did Moose) and even our OL looking better even if nowhere near really good.

 

[Woods]

Interesting how many of us, including myself, thought our defense would be (much) better (at least statistically speaking) than our offense before the season started. This has been a pleasant surprise.

On offense, the only thing we're really missing is a young OL to develop behind Rivera - or possibly replace Rivera, and a top-flight WR to develop behind TO and Glenn. And we may even have that developmental WR on the roster in Austin and/or Hurd. (I'm hoping we re-sign Gurode and Colombo.)

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Great research.......wow, we have come a long way in a short period of time

 

[followthestar]

"He Hoyte Me"

 

[DTK]

"He Hoyte Me"

:laugh2:

Nice!!

 

[Yeagermeister]

Oliver "Pit Bull" Hoyte

 

[VICTOR710]

"He Hoyte Me"

Thats probably what Demps is calling him,due to that hit Mr. Hoyte gave him.

 

[sbuscha]

Yet people will still try to find a way to bash Zimmer....

5) The Cowboys' defense isn't as dominating as their offense is, but it's still pretty good (top 10, anyway)... here are the major categories in which they rank in the top 5 in the league:

Rushing Defense-- 4th, 90.3 yards per game...

Rushing Attempts-- 5th, 24.9 attempts per game...

First Downs Rushing-- 5th, 58...

Completion Percentage Allowed-- tied 3rd, 56.2%...

TD passes Allowed-- tied 5th, 11...

Just think if these naysayers got their wish. We bring in a new "D" coordinator change the terminology, system, and have the players learn it all over again. Do you still think we would be this good?????

 

[percyhoward]

Completion Percentage Allowed-- tied 3rd, 56.2%...

TD passes Allowed-- tied 5th, 11...

When you combine those two stats with INT's and pass yards allowed (defensive passer rating), the Cowboys are 5th in the league.

Brees has only faced two of the top 8 pass D's (according to defensive passer rating), and those were his two worst games of the season.

 

[silverbear]

Interesting how many of us, including myself, thought our defense would be (much) better (at least statistically speaking) than our offense before the season started. This has been a pleasant surprise.

Yeah, that was my point in talking about all that... it's not like the defense has been disappointing, it's still a legit top 10 defense... but the offense has come along REAL quick, once Romo became the starter...

 

[silverbear]

Yet people will still try to find a way to bash Zimmer....

Well, I won't be one of them... I think Zimmer is actually kinda underrated...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

How long has it been since we've been proud of our very own offense? Wow!

this late in the season to boot

 

[2much2soon]

I do still worry a bit about the Seahawks, but if the Boys win out, I feel certain they'll be the number 2 seed in the playoffs...

I think Seattle loses one more, to San Diego.
Dallas wins out and they lock up the 2 spot. Its not going to be easy but the 'Boys are rolling and could run the table.