These are the situations where we have traditionally fallen apart under Garrett

[DOUBLE WING]

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

 

[Hoov]

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

I think so. Feels different to me.

 

[Slashar00]

I can't say it's any different. We've only played 7 quarters of great football in a row. We were bad in the first quarter against the Rams, solid against the Titans, and terrible against the 49ers.

However, we're running the ball now which means three things: Romo doesn't have to do everything; Garrett isn't calling plays; the defense has less opportunities to give up a lead. In those ways, this team is different and we could avoid the letdowns of the past.

 

[Zordon]

They don't know how to handle success. The San Diego game after the Giants game is the main one that comes to mind.

That being said, Fitzgerald is terrible so I expect us to win.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

JG has matured. We finally have what seems to be the right coaches in the right places.
We have built one of the must haves, the oline. Now the down side for me is the defense. I think they are playing good ball but every week I wait for it to fall apart on that side of the ball.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I can't say it's any different. We've only played 7 quarters of great football in a row. We were bad in the first quarter against the Rams, solid against the Titans, and terrible against the 49ers.

However, we're running the ball now which means three things: Romo doesn't have to do everything; Garrett isn't calling plays; the defense has less opportunities to give up a lead. In those ways, this team is different and we could avoid the letdowns of the past.

Romo has gotten better each week, I think that has to be accounted for also.

 

[Slashar00]

Romo has gotten better each week, I think that has to be accounted for also.

That is true. He's been looking better and better with each game. Healthier.

 

[romothesavior]

I hear you, and I'm also trying to temper my enthusiasm given this team's history of crushing my soul since I was like 7 years old.

But I am seeing an attitude, a passion that I haven't seen from Cowboys teams since 2007. You've got guys like Dez, Demarco, Dwayne Harris, etc. who just love the game and have so much passion for playing it. You've got guys with a chip on their shoulder like Scandrick, McClain, and Witten who want to knock you the **** out. We've got smart coordinators who call a good game and get the most out of the team. And our O-line is an energetic, powerful, and downright dominant unit.

Of course, I'm fully prepared for another collapse, because it's all I know. But there is serious reason to like this team. It's been a while since I've felt this way.

 

[cml750]

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

I hope so. There is less Garrett now that Linehan is here and less Garrett can never be a bad thing.

 

[CowboyGil]

It has a different feel to it. I honestly thought our D would be the cure-all for the Aints offense. I was pleasantly stunned. Romo isn't carrying the offense on his shoulders. And I think the defense's aggressive approach is taking people by surprise. I know it took the Aints by surprise. Feels like we're on the right path for the first time in a long time.

 

[mrmojo]

The next two weeks will be telling...and .if we can get to midyear at 6-2 or 5-3 I think there's a chance to at least to have a home game in the playoffs. This team feels different if they just keep this same course.

 

[ilykdrama]

Love this post. Couldn't agree more. This situation is too familiar for me, and I'm nowhere near excited yet, until this team can put great games together. Bravo.

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

 

[Vtwin]

We have better coaching on both sides of the ball and we have an o-line that takes no prisoners which we can run behind.

We previously have lacked both of those very important characteristics.

 

[Brooksey]

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

The common thread in those close losses was passing it 65-70%. Those days are over, we are much more balanced today.

 

[Fredd]

feels much different to me than in the 3 recent years mainly because there is a focus on HOW to play well on offense...in previous years, Romo would need to chuck it around (and quite often did)...now, it's pick your poison...if you stack the box, the passing game is going kill ya...if you defend the pass, the running game will gash you for 6 or 7 yards a carry when needed....MUCH different for me on the offensive side of the ball....and, on defense, McClain has made the difference along with Crawford....there is fire in them that the defense lacked in recent years...

 

[DallasInDC]

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

Based on recent history, I can't completely allow my my emotions for this team to take off. Too many times over the past 4-5 years I thought we had turned the corner only to be disappointed with a severe let down game, whether it was poor game management from Garret, the defense not being able to stop the opponent when necessary or Romo throwing a back breaking INT. something always happened to destroy any momentum we started to build. I want it to be different this time, I know It feels different this time, but until we put together a string of wins and demonstrate we can dictate our success and not completelly fall apart when the media and fans start singing their praise, I will remain hesitant to embrace the most recent success (even though it felt great to win the way we did Sunday)

 

[maxdallasfan]

I'm taking it one game at a time.

I'll be convinced one way or the other after the clock reads 00:00 in game #16

 

[Toruk_Makto]

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

Had we lost Sunday you could have said "This is where we traditionally fall apart."

Narrative building is fun.

 

[boysfanindc]

We will see, this team still has a whole lot to prove, let's just hope they know that.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

Had we lost Sunday you could have said "This is where we traditionally fall apart."

Narrative building is fun.

Not really. I don't think anyone was tooting this team's horn after beating the lowly Titans and barely scraping by the Rams.