Tired of the Turtle

sjmike

sjmike

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It seems that every year we get to the end of the year and turtle up. We can't seem to win a big game in December or January. Last year, it was the Giants game. In the past, it's been the Eagles that beat us when making the playoffs or playoff positioning was on the line.
They need to win the big games starting tomorrow. We have a better team than Washington, on both sides of the ball, so they need to force their will on the football team.
I am the biggest Cowboy homer around but I always seem to get crushed at the end of the season because we cannot finish. I was hoping that it was a Garrett thing but last year was no different with McCarthy. I know that we were injured and it was Covid but it was more of the same from the previous regime.
Does anyone have confidence that we can play our best football at the end of the year this year? Can anyone help me get over the ghosts of the late season's past? I would really appreciate any insights into a different outcome this year
 
Last edited:
sjmike said:
It seems that every year we get to the end of the year and turtle up. We can't seem to win a big game in December or January. Last year, it was the Giants game. In the past, it's been the Eagles that beat us when making the playoffs or playoff positioning was on the line.
They need to win the big games starting tomorrow. We have a better team than Washington, on both sides of the,so they need to force their will on the football team.
I am the biggest Cowboy homer around but I always seem to get crushed at the end of the season because we cannot finish. I was hoping that it was a Garrett thing but last year was no different with McCarthy. I know that we were injured and it was Covid but it was more of the same from the previous regime.
Does anyone have confidence that we can play our best football at the end of the year this year? Can anyone help me get over the ghosts of the late season's past? I would really appreciate any insights into a different outcome this year
Click to expand...
It's just a game. The sun will come up tomorrow...Salud!
 
I’m not overly confident about tomorrow but I think we have a decent chance of winning. If we allow Washington to establish the line of scrimmage by running the ball and controlling the clock we’re done! If they jump on as early it’s probably going to be a long day. The Cowboys have to jump on Washington early and force Taylor Heinicke to have to beat us. We need to take them away from the running game and pressure Heinicke into mistakes. We can’t allow ourselves to be manhandled upfront and let them to control the ball. If we can make Washington have to play catch-up we can pin our ears back and come after Heinicke. Trust me, he’ll turn the ball over under pressure. If the tables are turned and we have to play catch-up Dak will likely have a rough day. The biggest key to winning this game is jump on Washington early. We can’t allow them to put us in an early hole.
 
I mean the last two seasons haven't been great but I think the narrative about December is a bit of recency bias. Below is the team's Dec/Jan record since 2016 when Dak took over. I'd say it's more correct to say that the last two years have been challenging, with 2019 being a clearly declining team with Garrett about to be shown the door, and last year being a complete shamble without our starting QB, 9038204th version of an OL and a barely-NFL defense.

  • 2016 - 4-2*
  • 2017 - 3-1
  • 2018 - 4-2*
  • 2019 - 2-2
  • 2020 - 2-3
  • Combined - 15-10 (.600)
*Playoffs Game included, 1-2 record

Every season is a new year, and I'm not really concerned about the 2021's Cowboys being all that similar to 2019 and 2020. Not to say that means they will absolutely be great, but I think each year's circumstances are sort of their own.
 
The last good December we had was in 2018 we were 3-1 and it led to a playoff win. Limping into the playoffs usually leads to a one and done.
 
Winning tomorrow means that the rest of the coming NFC East games, which is the majority of the division games all here at the end, are largely meaningless other than Wash and Phil maybe dining it out for a WC. Wash winning would make the rematch in two weeks even more pivotal and important. If you’re a conspiracy theorist, you’d expect a lot of garbage penalties a la our raiders game and a Wash win. And Lord help us if Hochuli’s crew is ref’ing the game.
 
KJJ said:
The last good December we had was in 2018 we were 3-1 and it led to a playoff win. Limping into the playoffs usually leads to a one and done.
Click to expand...

True but interestingly enough I feel like that December + Seattle victory set us back 2-3 years. Returned Garrett (I was fine with that) but made NO significant roster improvements despite some CLEAR flaws exposed against the Rams. I remember going into the offseason hearing them say how much they like our guys and feeling like it was the 2009-2010 offseason all over again. Dismantling in the Divisional round, no offseason improvement and a mega disappointment to get the coach fired the next year.

DEJA VU.
 
KJJ said:
I’m not overly confident about tomorrow but I think we have a decent chance of winning. If we allow Washington to establish the line of scrimmage by running the ball and controlling the clock we’re done! If they jump on as early it’s probably going to be a long day. The Cowboys have to jump on Washington early and force Taylor Heinicke to have to beat us. We need to take them away from the running game and pressure Heinicke into mistakes. We can’t allow ourselves to be manhandled upfront and let them to control the ball. If we can make Washington have to play catch-up we can pin our ears back and come after Heinicke. Trust me, he’ll turn the ball over under pressure. If the tables are turned and we have to play catch-up Dak will likely have a rough day. The biggest key to winning this game is jump on Washington early. We can’t allow them to put us in an early hole.
Click to expand...
It’s easy not to have confidence for this game. For some. I truly believe we are the better team. But the path tells us there’s going to be an issue. I say screw the past
 
Crown Royal said:
I mean the last two seasons haven't been great but I think the narrative about December is a bit of recency bias. Below is the team's Dec/Jan record since 2016 when Dak took over. I'd say it's more correct to say that the last two years have been challenging, with 2019 being a clearly declining team with Garrett about to be shown the door, and last year being a complete shamble without our starting QB, 9038204th version of an OL and a barely-NFL defense.

  • 2016 - 4-2*
  • 2017 - 3-1
  • 2018 - 4-2*
  • 2019 - 2-2
  • 2020 - 2-3
  • Combined - 15-10 (.600)
*Playoffs Game included, 1-2 record

Every season is a new year, and I'm not really concerned about the 2021's Cowboys being all that similar to 2019 and 2020. Not to say that means they will absolutely be great, but I think each year's circumstances are sort of their own.
Click to expand...

Last year Dallas was 3-1 in Dec.
 
Crown Royal said:
True but interestingly enough I feel like that December + Seattle victory set us back 2-3 years. Returned Garrett (I was fine with that) but made NO significant roster improvements despite some CLEAR flaws exposed against the Rams. I remember going into the offseason hearing them say how much they like our guys and feeling like it was the 2009-2010 offseason all over again. Dismantling in the Divisional round, no offseason improvement and a mega disappointment to get the coach fired the next year.

DEJA VU.
Click to expand...
Jerry GM's as a fan would. He cannot look past winning to see what areas need to be shored up. This is fine for a fan, but a death sentence for a GM.
 
Cowboys will eventually do Cowboys things.
That's why I wasn't ready to throw a parade when everyone thought this team was world beaters .
 
Let's see if we're contenders. I'm not totally convinced yet, but we might be. Healthy, we have as good a team as anyone in the NFC. Let's see how it plays out.

Not since 2016 have I been this excited about a Cowboys team. And we have a better defense than 2016 by far. Anything can happen.
 
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