Packers
As I said anything can happen in a single elimination game. Packers played very loose, with nothing to lose, where the Cowboys played tight as all the pressure to win got to them. All three phases had terrible days and what is worse, the coaching staff was outcoached. Playing so much zone against a team that struggles against press, man coverage? Running the football on first down when they play 5 down lineman? Sam Williams still on punt returns after he makes penalties every week?
What went wrong throughout the season?
You cannot win in this league if you are unable to run the football and stop the run, especially come playoff time. I have said it so many times this season, teams play shell coverage to take away the Cowboys chunk passing plays, teams dare the Cowboys to run the football against light boxes and they just cannot do it! Is it the personnel, blocking scheme, play-calling? This shouldn't be an issue with all the resources up front. As for the run defense, losing Lve/Overshown hurt, but Quinn decided to go with undersized, hybrid players and continue to play Parsons at DE when teams run right at him with tremendous success. These two areas need to be fixed or they will continue to have inconsistent success. Has this team really gotten better from prior seasons as the same issues remain their weaknesses?
Coaching Staff
MM was hired to able to get this team in a deep playoff run. Yes, he has shown to be a far better HC then Jason Garrett, but the team's success is marginally better. He has gotten this team into the playoffs three straight years, is able to do a better job overcoming injuries, but this team still remains one of the worst in committing penalties, MM has been awful in end of game situations.
What this franchise needs to do in my opinion?
They need to change the culture, these players are treated like rock stars, without any accountability. The front office also needs to change their philosophy, they have to start using free agency/trading market more then just relying on a unproven draft class. My thought process earlier on in the season was to target one of those modern, offensive coaches from a coaching tree either from the 49ers or Rams, but they need more then that? 3 Candidates all fit the bill what this team needs: Bellichek, Vrabel or Harbaugh.
All three coaches have a track record of being discipled HC's, who have won with strong running games and stout defenses. They will know how to fix the trenches. Before anyone says that Jerry will never hire or these men will never coach here, Parcells did in the past and changed this franchise for the better.
