This made me feel better....

[NJCowboy]

I feel a lot better after reading this - bottom line we control our destiny.

Cowboys Still Control Fate Despite Loss

By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Bill Parcells wasn't ranting and raving. No matter how disappointed the coach was after another agonizingly close loss by his Dallas Cowboys, he kept the big picture in perspective.

"I know we are going to have a chance to play the team that is closest to us next time out," Parcells said after the Cowboys' 24-21 overtime loss to Denver on Thursday. "I told Mike (Shanahan), I think his team has a chance to do things, and I really do think we do, too."

The Cowboys (7-4) still have a chance to control things in the NFC East after losing for only the second time in seven games. Both losses came against division-leading teams on last-play field goals.

Plus, after three games in an 11-day stretch that wrapped up Thanksgiving Day, they have more time to rest and prepare for what could be the most important game of their season: Dec. 4 at the New York Giants.

"We have a game for first place in our division in 10 days," Drew Bledsoe said after throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions against the Broncos. "We'll put this one away as quickly as we can and get ready."

New York (7-3) plays Sunday at Seattle with a chance to take the NFC East lead. But even if the Giants win, Dallas could pull even again next weekend and claim a vital tiebreaker with a season series sweep. The Giants lost in overtime at Dallas last month.

"We have to focus on winning the division now," defensive tackle Jason Ferguson said.

Dallas never led the Broncos, but Bledsoe tied the game at 7 with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Keyshawn Johnson; at 14 with a 1-yard plunge on fourth down; and at 21 with a 4-yard TD pass to Jason Witten.



The Cowboys had a chance to go ahead midway through the fourth quarter, but Billy Cundiff - just four days after kicking a franchise-record 56-yard field goal in his first game back - was wide left on a 34-yard attempt.

"I missed it. ... It was completely my fault," Cundiff said.

"Obviously, we are very disappointed in this game," said Bledsoe, who was 29-of-44 - both season highs - for 232 yards. "We fought hard against a very good team and had our chances to win it."

AFC West-leading Denver (9-2) won the coin toss to start overtime, then needed just three plays to win. After a 7-yard pass and Ron Dayne's 55-yard run, Jason Elam kicked a 24-yard field goal.

Until the big run in overtime by Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner who was filling in for injured Dallas-area native Tatum Bell, the Broncos had been held to just 89 yards rushing, about half their season average.

Dallas had won three straight since its 13-10 loss Oct. 23 at the NFC-leading Seahawks (8-2), who got Josh Brown's 50-yard field goal as time expired after Bledsoe threw an interception that was returned 25 yards.

The Cowboys' four losses are by a combined 13 points.

"I told the players it is not going to be without a bump in the road here or there," Parcells said. "I would have liked to have this one, but we didn't get it. So we just have to regroup and get ready to try to play better next time."

 

[Champsheart]

Point blank, we do control our own Destiny!

We can beat any one in the NFL, Period! I do not doubt that. This is a team that has been on the rise since the great off-season we had, and the foundation has been laid, and I have confidence this off-season we continue to put the pieces in place.

For this season we are watching a team grow and contend that has talent. How far we go this year is yet to be determined, but regardless we are on the rise and a team that will not fade away.

WHEN WE WIN next week in New York we will take a strangle hold on the NFC East. Then we need some luck to try and get a bye.

We go 11-5 IMO and then a new season begins. Dont worry about the Denver game, like Parcells said there will be a few bumps in the road.

 

[Mansta54]

We are in GREAT shape.

 

[bbgun]

This made me feel better.

 

[Mansta54]

Damn!!!!! That sure does look good

 

[Cbz40]

Ladie & Gentlemen we will be fine whether we go 0-5, 5-0, 3-2, this team will be where we want them to be real soon.

With each win and loss this team is learning valuable lessons as to what is required for a Championship.

No doubt, one requirement has been proven.......There is No Quit in this team.

 

[DallasDomination]

This made me feel better.

Yum I might just go pick myself up one of them.

 

[lcharles]

We can beat any team in the league.....BUT will we.

Somehow I really don't feel like we control our own destiny. Couple of more games against good teams with yesterdays results and we gonna need a lot of help from others.


:shootfoot :rake: :abuseme: :nervous:

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I agree with much of the sentiment in this thread. While this loss was as painful as they come, it did have 2 silver linings,,,

1. The team remains in great position for the playoffs , and

2. Yesterday's performance shows this team is on the verge of being REAL good. They went toe-to-toe with one of the hottest treams in the league and SHOULD have won despite being held hostage by the kicker and offensive tackles,,, I fully expect Jerry to cough up the dinero for an automatic kicker next season and Bill to shore up the OL depth.

Despite the loss, this game should improve the team's overall opinion of itself... I know my opinion of them is higher.

:starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin :starspin