Waiting for resistance that might not be there

[erod]

The Cowboys remain the lone steady mast on the horizon. The rest of the NFC seems lost with nowhere to go, like fresh fish flopping around at the bottom of a boat caught in a whirlpool.

Book the division. The Giants threw up all over themselves yesterday. The Commanders remain a self-inflicted underachieving mess. The Eagles look like they got hit with a stun gun and can't break free. Yep, the NFC East is signed, sealed, and delivered for Dallas.

So I look around the NFC, and I'm looking for danger. Real danger.

Football habits say Seattle. But I can't shake that 5-point malaise they threw down in Tampa, and elsewhere other times this season. Three points against the Rams? Now, they're down Earl Thomas for the season, a huge loss for a team built on defense. The Seahawks offense is still struggling to find its way behind that iffy o-line. Never mind what they did to Carolina, which can't shake the Cam Newton stupor that has the Panthers paralyzed.

Nope, Carolina has no excuse. None. Cam Newton's selfish diva ways have cursed that franchise from the moment he ole'd that fumble last February. That mojo is no mo.

Matchup logic says Atlanta should be a concern. But there they were, the Falcons in their historically hapless way, figuring out how to lose a game with a lead on a stinking conversion. Matt Ryan would be awesome if he wasn't Matt Ryan. That dude can cycle Jeckyll-and-Hyde at warp speed, and because defense remains a required inconvenience in Atlanta, they'll implode in proper time.

So, who? Detroit? They trail every fourth quarter for a reason. Green Bay? Too late to salvage that ship. Tampa? Down the road, maybe, but not this season. Arizona? See Carolina. Minnesota? Dispatched and fading.

Who, ******?

Lest I sound nose-up pompous and coach-cliche'd, the only foe able to take down this sudden juggernaut we have here is injury and headlines. If there's a strength in Jason Garrett, its grounding a team into a steady focus. His teams don't lay eggs when it comes to effort and preparation, and he'll stop any threat from within in its tracks.

It remains much to expect of a rookie QB, but Dak seems immune to the nerves and pitfalls that are supposed to be haunting his ability to find peace of mind this time of year. There seems to be a book building on him from opponents, but some extra time this week could squelch that worry. The guy puts in his X-and-O time, and he's sponging up all the mind vitamins LInehan and Romo are throwing his way. And if our draft fortune isn't unfair enough, the Cowboys hold a trump card in the deck if an unforeseen turn threatens this season. Tony Romo is the best dadgum backup QB in the whole damn league, and he can go Romo on somebody if called upon.

The mild rookie quarterback concern aside, along with our overly hospitable defense at times, are comfortably offset by the real star attraction of this popsicle stand.

I've seen nary an answer to the real meat and taters of this Cowboys roster. This offensive line is offensive, and the Tazmanian ball of ginsu knives running behind it is no fun for no-body. The pounds of raw flesh that group gouges out of defenses is marvelously criminal. It ain't fair. Giggle.

So once this formality of revenge is complete in The Meadowlands - Dallas 34, New York 13 - the real challenge lies in staying on point through a month of almost meaningless Sundays. We'll wait while the rest of the NFC flops a fish into our den mid-January.

Arrogance says nobody in this lousy conference can come here and win in the playoffs. Of course, that's football absurdity, but I don't see a worthy adversary. Seattle travels horribly, and the rest aren't ready for primetime.

This party boat, however, is.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Fantastic post.

The NFC is there for the taking. This is Dallas' best shot to end the Super Bowl drought in the 20 years or so it's been going on. They need to take advantage.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

You had me till

If there's a strength in Jason Garrett, its grounding a team into a steady focus. His teams don't lay eggs when it comes to effort and preparation, and he'll stop any threat from within in its tracks.

Jason Garrett has a butt load of laying eggs from lack of preparation and some with effort.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

You had me till

Jason Garrett has a butt load of laying eggs from lack of preparation and some with effort.

I've seen Garrett coached teams beat themselves with penalties, turnovers, and boneheaded mistakes. But I can't recall a game in the Garrett era where it looked like the team just flat quit. There were many times between 2010-13 especially where they were clearly outclassed, but I just can't recall them lacking effort.

 

[DFWJC]

Can't recall a weaker NFC.

Just stay focused and doing what you're doing, Dallas, and this could end up truly a year to remember.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

I've seen Garrett coached teams beat themselves with penalties, turnovers, and boneheaded mistakes. But I can't recall a game in the Garrett era where it looked like the team just flat quit. There were many times between 2010-13 especially where they were clearly outclassed, but I just can't recall them lacking effort.

Thats lack of preparation and effort.

Now if you're talking about "everyone gets a trophy! E for Effort!" then ya, you're right.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Can't recall a weaker NFC.

Just stay focused and doing what you're doing, Dallas, and this could end up truly a year to remember.

Actually, I'm old enough to recall a weaker NFC. In 1999, Dallas was one of two 8-8 wild cards.

 

[DFWJC]

Actually, I'm old enough to recall a weaker NFC. In 1999, Dallas was one of two 8-8 wild cards.

I'm talking about the very best teams...so the absolute hurdles to get to the Super Bowl.
Are you saying the best teams back then in the NFC were not very good?

You could be right.
I do think the Rams were pretty good that year though, but the depth was a bit slim.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I'm talking about the very best teams...so the absolute hurdles to get to the Super Bowl.
Are you saying the best teams back then in the NFC were not very good?

No, I'm not saying that, I misunderstood your post. I think that was the year the Rams' "Greatest Show On Turf" tore up the league. They were excellent.

 

[tyke1doe]

The Cowboys remain the lone steady mast on the horizon. The rest of the NFC seems lost with nowhere to go, like fresh fish flopping around at the bottom of a boat caught in a whirlpool.

Book the division. The Giants threw up all over themselves yesterday. The Commanders remain a self-inflicted underachieving mess. The Eagles look like they got hit with a stun gun and can't break free. Yep, the NFC East is signed, sealed, and delivered for Dallas.

So I look around the NFC, and I'm looking for danger. Real danger.

Football habits say Seattle. But I can't shake that 5-point malaise they threw down in Tampa, and elsewhere other times this season. Three points against the Rams? Now, they're down Earl Thomas for the season, a huge loss for a team built on defense. The Seahawks offense is still struggling to find its way behind that iffy o-line. Never mind what they did to Carolina, which can't shake the Cam Newton stupor that has the Panthers paralyzed.

Nope, Carolina has no excuse. None. Cam Newton's selfish diva ways have cursed that franchise from the moment he ole'd that fumble last February. That mojo is no mo.

Matchup logic says Atlanta should be a concern. But there they were, the Falcons in their historically hapless way, figuring out how to lose a game with a lead on a stinking conversion. Matt Ryan would be awesome if he wasn't Matt Ryan. That dude can cycle Jeckyll-and-Hyde at warp speed, and because defense remains a required inconvenience in Atlanta, they'll implode in proper time.

So, who? Detroit? They trail every fourth quarter for a reason. Green Bay? Too late to salvage that ship. Tampa? Down the road, maybe, but not this season. Arizona? See Carolina. Minnesota? Dispatched and fading.

Who, ******?

Lest I sound nose-up pompous and coach-cliche'd, the only foe able to take down this sudden juggernaut we have here is injury and headlines. If there's a strength in Jason Garrett, its grounding a team into a steady focus. His teams don't lay eggs when it comes to effort and preparation, and he'll stop any threat from within in its tracks.

It remains much to expect of a rookie QB, but Dak seems immune to the nerves and pitfalls that are supposed to be haunting his ability to find peace of mind this time of year. There seems to be a book building on him from opponents, but some extra time this week could squelch that worry. The guy puts in his X-and-O time, and he's sponging up all the mind vitamins LInehan and Romo are throwing his way. And if our draft fortune isn't unfair enough, the Cowboys hold a trump card in the deck if an unforeseen turn threatens this season. Tony Romo is the best dadgum backup QB in the whole damn league, and he can go Romo on somebody if called upon.

The mild rookie quarterback concern aside, along with our overly hospitable defense at times, are comfortably offset by the real star attraction of this popsicle stand.

I've seen nary an answer to the real meat and taters of this Cowboys roster. This offensive line is offensive, and the Tazmanian ball of ginsu knives running behind it is no fun for no-body. The pounds of raw flesh that group gouges out of defenses is marvelously criminal. It ain't fair. Giggle.

So once this formality of revenge is complete in The Meadowlands - Dallas 34, New York 13 - the real challenge lies in staying on point through a month of almost meaningless Sundays. We'll wait while the rest of the NFC flops a fish into our den mid-January.

Arrogance says nobody in this lousy conference can come here and win in the playoffs. Of course, that's football absurdity, but I don't see a worthy adversary. Seattle travels horribly, and the rest aren't ready for primetime.

This party boat, however, is.

I usually don't read posts this long, but this is well written.

 

[erod]

You had me till

Jason Garrett has a butt load of laying eggs from lack of preparation and some with effort.

This team has played hard for Jason Garrett every game he's been here. That's not a problem. You can question other things about him, but not that.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Fantastic post.

The NFC is there for the taking. This is Dallas' best shot to end the Super Bowl drought in the 20 years or so it's been going on. They need to take advantage.

They 2007 team was better.

 

[NEODOG]

Tampa.....don't know why, but that team scares me

 

[SDCowboy]

Book the division. The Giants threw up all over themselves yesterday.

This made me laugh way more than it should have.

Great thread, erod.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

They 2007 team was better.

Yes, the 2007 Cowboys certainly had a better defense than the 2016 Cowboys. The 2007 offense was a pass-first attack, this offense wants to run and impose it's will. But the NFC was stronger as a whole, so the 2016 Cowboys may have a better shot at a title.

 

[landroverking]

I worry about the Lions.
If Dallas had to play the Seahawks on the road that would worry me too.

 

[DFWJC]

They 2007 team was better.

I think as an all-around team, it most certainly was.

Obviously with this oline (even though that one in 2007 wasn't bad) and Zeke (even though Barber was decent) that team would have been almost unbeatable.

I think the 2014 offense was very good too. 29+ ppg or so, I think. Very few turnovers too.

 

[T-RO]

Few numbers for the Cowboys-can't-be beat folks:

1 - Combined number of punts and turnovers our defense forced on Skins
1 - Number of true offensive drives we had against Vikings
23-16 Eagles - the score at 3:22 left in the game
23-20 Skins - the score at 5:51 left in the game (1st skins game)
30-28 Steelers - the score at :34 left in the game
20-19 Giants win over Cowboys

We are far from an invincible team.

 

[Diehardblues]

The Jerry jinx thats been on this franchise for two decades is still there until we wipe the slate clean. Will we finally overcome it ? We're counting on a Rookie QB to do it in which might inly our answer.

I never like making these arrogant assumptions with an unproven playoff team. The playoffs are a different level. In a one game elimination anything can happen.

I do agree that the competition level does appear as low as I've seen it in years but for the same reasons I don't have the confidence without our recent success in playoffs I'm weary of a team which has dominated the NFC in last 3 years .

We usually see a team have to lay the groundwork for years of greatness to come like we did in late 60's and early 90's. We've never won it in our first attempt.

Hopefully this is our time and the baton will be passed but I never count out the heart of a champion. The good news ; this is just the beginning of a new era .We should be in this position for years to come and soon we'll have that confidence of recent playoff success with the heart of a championship mojo.

 

[JJHLH1]

It's there for the taking but it won't be easy. It never is. I think we can book the NFC East, but home-field advantage is still a concern given our tough remaining schedule.