Why Do We Start So Slow in These Playoff Games?

[LucaBrasi]

It would certainly be nice to start a playoff game off right and get a 14-0 or 21-3 lead, especially with the way this team is built. Here's another thing, teams like the Patriots, Steelers, Packers, and to an extent the Seahawks the last few years, "expect" to win these type of games. The Cowboys "hope" to win them. Maybe with some playoff experience 2 of the last 3 years, albeit negative, they will develop that attitude.

But here's the thing, and I'm not blaming Jerry for last Sunday, although I love to rip him more than most. I generally try and avoid hearing him talk at all, but before the game last week, whether it was the Irvin interview or wherever, I must have heard him say things like "dream season", "so hard to get to this point", "I'll try and get in front of everyone to let them know how sick they will be on Monday andcTuesday around here if we lose it", he sure as hell doesn't talk like a guy that owns 3 SB trophies. To me, that stuff permeates the entire operation. Stop talking like a ninny, or even better just stop talking at all.

I mean its really not hard for alot of these consistent, well run organizations to get to the divisional round. Its really not alot to ask to make a conference championship once in 20 years. A "dream season" for most organizations is a SB title. He learned they had a championship type team in the 2nd half last week? Will he be hanging the "won the 2nd half of the divisional round game" banner up at some point along with selling commemorative t shirts and hats? For a guy so successful in business and life, he sure sounds like a damn loser. 16 conference/league championship appearances in first 36 years, 0 in last 21. Its amazing how far this franchise has fallen.

 

[links18]

First drive through down field on 3rd and two and then kick a FG, second drive major penalty kills a drive, third drive nada.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I disagree. I think we should have been pedal to the metal through week 17.

We had the bye wrapped up. Why did Garrett think we needed a month between playing our starters? He's such a dingus.

I guarantee if we lost a starter to injury in a meaningless game that people would be flipping out.

People also forget we had 4 healthy defensive lineman and Tyron couldn't even practice at the time.

Did Sean Lee need a meaningless game to play better? Dez? Witten? Dak? Zeke? Would our pass rush had gotten home if two weeks prior to the game they'd chased around Wentz for two hours? Did our line not block effectively or something? Would Butler not have run onto the field and off? Would Butler have not dropped a td? Would Rodgers who is on a tear of a lifetime suddenly sucked? Would Brown have not fouled on an otherwise arm punt from Rodgers?

I understand trying to find blame for the loss... But putting it on this decision and the spike is silly.

Don't be silly.

 

[cowboyblue22]

the epic fail of the playoffs game rests on the shoulders of the head coach

 

[jwooten15]

Because Rod played it too conservatively on defense in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Tried the bend-but-don't-break thing, and we got broke. Quick. THEN finally started making adjustments.

For once, I'd love to see the Cowboys be the aggressors and come out with a purpose in the playoffs.

We sit back and wait to take the first punch before we respond. And that is dangerous ground to tread.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Well, Pitt rested their starters for week 17 and they are now one game away from the Super Bowl. It goes deeper than just resting or not resting starters. In 2014, we played that last game with a full roster. Didn't rest anyone. And we still came out flat against Detroit in the wild card win. We still won the game at the end but these starts are annoying.

That's not true. Pittsburgh didn't have a bye week so they rested a few starters but played the very next week. I agree with Risen (wow can't believe in saying that) but a few of us said it......don't rest guys week 17 because we have a bye and these young guys need all the reps. 2-3 weeks off is not good for any team much less a young one

 

[Cowboys_22]

You should learn in victory what you would have learned in defeat.....we left some lessons on the table

 

[Mr Cowboy]

This has always been Garrett's MO..... In the 2014 season there were a couple of games where they went in there and destroyed the opponent from the kick off to the end of the game, (perhaps NO and Indy). But that doesn't happen enough, and Garrett has actually said many times that he likes to feel what the other team is going to give them and take it from there. I hate that approach, he should come in and let the opponent know what they were taking on that day and just take it.

 

[Blackspider214]

That's not true. Pittsburgh didn't have a bye week so they rested a few starters but played the very next week. I agree with Risen (wow can't believe in saying that) but a few of us said it......don't rest guys week 17 because we have a bye and these young guys need all the reps. 2-3 weeks off is not good for any team much less a young one

I do agree with we should have played them more in week 17. This isn't the Pats where they have experience in winning in the playoffs. Dak and Zeke were still rookies.

But I still don't think it's the rest factor. We've did it both ways this last decade and still come out flat.

The last playoff game I remember coming out strong was the Eagles game in 2009. Under Wade.

Someone hit the nail on the head earlier. Our motto seems to be we hope to win, not expect to win. I expected to beat GB, especially with how depleted they were. Their best WR was out and their secondary was in shambles.

 

[Kaiser]

There is no comparison between the three games mentioned.

In the Detroit game we had a bad defense, gave up a big play to Golden Tate in the first drive for 51 yards and to Reggie Bush in the second drive - along with a roughing the punter penalty.

There was no slow start in the 2014 GB game, it was a 7-0 deficit as mentioned before.

In this last game Dallas started the first quarter out of sync, which happens often to teams that get a first round bye. I said it could happen after the Philly game two weeks before that game and it is exactly what ended up happening.

 

[Risen Star]

Well, Pitt rested their starters for week 17 and they are now one game away from the Super Bowl. It goes deeper than just resting or not resting starters. In 2014, we played that last game with a full roster. Didn't rest anyone. And we still came out flat against Detroit in the wild card win. We still won the game at the end but these starts are annoying.

Pittsburgh didn't have a bye week.

Try again.

Make sure you inform Bill Belichick that the correct thing to do at the end of the season is go coward and hide in safe spaces.

 

[Floatyworm]

The coward of the year shut his team down at the end of the season even with a bye week coming. It's not surprising they'd start slow after having weeks off.

He prioritized safety over preparation and it's why he should no longer be the head coach.

Exactly...

But don't worry all you ginger lovers....He's probably gonna get a raise and a new roll of bubble wrap for his players.