"Win-or-go-home" from a team point of view

[percyhoward]

Record in playoff games when own defense allows a 115+ rating to opposing QB:
*includes all win-or-go-home (some of which are non-playoffs)
Romo 0-4*
Rodgers 0-2
Brady 0-2
PManning 0-4
EManning 0-0
Brees 0-0
Roethlisberger 0-2

Avg. passer rating allowed by own defense in playoffs
*includes all win-or-go-home (some of which are non-playoffs)
Romo 103.1*
Rodgers 82.0
Brady 76.6
PManning 83.2
EManning 77.7
Brees 88.3
Roethlisberger 82.8

 

[Idgit]

Record in playoff games when own defense allows a 115+ rating to opposing QB:
*includes all win-or-go-home (some of which are non-playoffs)
Romo 0-4*
Rodgers 0-2
Brady 0-2
PManning 0-4
EManning 0-0
Brees 0-0
Roethlisberger 0-2
Avg. passer rating allowed by own defense in playoffs
*includes all win-or-go-home (some of which are non-playoffs)
Romo 103.1*
Rodgers 82.0
Brady 76.6
PManning 83.2
EManning 77.7
Brees 88.3
Roethlisberger 82.8

Lol. I think this point is pretty much getting ground into the ground, right? Anybody still disputing what's been causing us to lose the big games?

 

[85Cowboy85]

The untold story of the past two years is how bad the pass defense has been. I don't think there has been a single article written about it that I can remember from the DMN folks or the national media.

People liked Rob Ryan. Heck I liked Rob Ryan his press conferences were great. But it's obvious something had to change on the defensive side if this team was going to compete for anything. Kiffen may be old but his defense is still in use around the league and his NFL track record speaks for itself. I don't know if it's going to work out. There's some question about scheme fit and whether he still has anything left in the tank. There is risk with any hire but I like the gamble.

 

[percyhoward]

And it was the player that got all the accolades for bringing us to a win or go home situation for playing lights out, and its that same player that failed to play up to par as the previous four games that deserves some of the criticism,especially for that ill-advised pick.

In week 17 last season...

You guys just naively mention these games as if the Cowboys' involvement in them were a given. This team had no business being involved in a win-or-go-home game the past two years, as was thoroughly detailed in OP. Did you even read the OP?

I wonder why anyone would expect so much more from the QB than they do from the rest of the team. There's nothing inherent about football that says your passing game should routinely rank in the top 10 when the rest of your team ranks in the bottom, and certainly nothing that says your team should go anywhere under those conditions. And yet, some people act like it happens all the time.

 

[KJJ]

You guys just naively mention these games as if the Cowboys' involvement in them were a given. This team had no business being involved in a win-or-go-home game the past two years, as was thoroughly detailed in OP. Did you even read the OP?

I wonder why anyone would expect so much more from the QB than they do from the rest of the team. There's nothing inherent about football that says your passing game should routinely rank in the top 10 when the rest of your team ranks in the bottom, and certainly nothing that says your team should go anywhere under those conditions. And yet, some people act like it happens all the time.

The only ones who are naive are the ones who use all sorts of misleading stats like passer ratings to try and remove Romo from any of the blame for the Cowboys 1-6 win or go home record. I only glossed the OP it's all about defending Romo as per usual with you. This team you're talking about is a talented football team that should be better than an 8-8 team. This team has 10-6 to 12-4 talent and 8-8 coaching. In 2010 after a 1-7 start the Cowboys went 5-3 with an interim HC and an aging backup QB. That 5-3 record included a win on the road vs a Peyton Manning led Colts team. How can you say this team that has a Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Demarcus Ware, Sean Lee and a host of other good players had no business being in a win or go home game the past 2 years in a division where 10 wins is the best anyone within the division has come up with in the past 3 years?

The Giants won the SB in 2011 winning only one more regular season game than the Cowboys. In 2011 the Cowboys went toe to toe with NE on the road and it was poor coaching decisions that cost the team that game. That same season it was poor coaching decisions that cost the team against AZ. The Cowboys should have won at least 12 games that season if you count the throw away game by Romo vs the Jets on opening night and the blown 12 point lead vs the Giants. Last season the Cowboys went toe to toe with the Ravens on the road and again it was poor coaching that cost the team in the end. If this team ever receives good coaching and Romo would step up in win or go home games and be the solid playmaking QB we see through most of the regular season this team could end up going deep. Rankings mean very little because they take in the entire season. By the time the season ends a team can be playing better or worse than their regular season offensive or defensive ranking.

The key is getting hot at the right time. In 07 NE's offense was ranked #1 and the Giants #16. The Pats defense was also ranked higher than the Giants during the regular season but neither NE's offense or defense was playing up to their regular season ranking by the time the playoffs started. The Giants defense was playing better than their regular season defensive ranking. Last season Flacco ranked 14th in passing yardage but was on a 4600 yard pace for a 16 game regular season during the playoffs. He put up only 22 TD's during the regular season but had 11 TD's in the playoffs and SB.

 

[IrishAnto]

He has receivers who are a lot better. Clark made one memorable catch he was an average receiver.

And sometimes one great catch is all it takes to propel a team to greatness.

These better receivers the Romo has, name me a play they’ve made that has anywhere the significance of Clark’s play?

 

[KJJ]

And sometimes one great catch is all it takes to propel a team to greatness.

These better receivers the Romo has, name me a play they’ve made that has anywhere the significance of Clark’s play?

They've never had the opportunity to make a play anywhere near the significance of the Clark play because they don't have a Joe Montana as their QB leading them to championship games. For a team to be propelled to greatness they need a great QB and an excellent HC. Clark would have never had the opportunity to make that CATCH if Montana didn't get that pass off over the out stretched hands of Too Tall Jones and put it where he had the chance to make a play on it. When Montana won his first SB Jerry Rice and John Taylor hadn't even arrived. He won SB's with different sets of receivers.

Most great QB's make a receiver no one would have ever heard of Clayton and Duper if they didn't have Dan Marino as their QB. Most of the receivers in the HOF had HOF QB's throwing to them. A lot of receivers reflect their QB and some of Romo's receivers seem to reflect him. They'll make great plays during the regular season but never come up big when it matters most. The type of impulsive, gunslinging QB Romo is can create issues at times with communication between him and his receivers. There was a heated exchange on the sidelines between Romo and Witten last season after a misfire on 3rd down. Romo takes a lot of chances and forces the ball at times. There's a trust factor I think this team lacks with Romo. We've seen that with some of the play calling like in NE in 2011 not allowing Romo to throw the ball to try and put NE away in the final 3 minutes.

We saw it in AZ later that season with Garrett again not allowing Romo to put the ball up after just making a big play to Dez to try and make for an easier FG attempt. Garrett is so afraid of turnovers he would rather rely on his kicker from 48 yards out. The great teams had trust in their QB regardless of the situation and in each other. Here's a quote from Amad Bradshaw on NFLN in 2012: “You know what, man, I don’t see it happening,” Bradshaw said on NFL Network. “I don’t think they believe it, and they’re America’s team. It all comes in together. If the fans don’t believe it, the team doesn’t. They’re kinda doubtful with Romo.”

 

[IrishAnto]

They've never had the opportunity to make a play anywhere near the significance of the Clark play because they don't have a Joe Montana as their QB leading them to championship games. For a team to be propelled to greatness they need a great QB and an excellent HC. Clark would have never had the opportunity to make that CATCH if Montana didn't get that pass off over the out stretched hands of Too Tall Jones and put it where he had the chance to make a play on it. When Montana won his first SB Jerry Rice and John Taylor hadn't even arrived. He won SB's with different sets of receivers.

Most great QB's make a receiver no one would have ever heard of Clayton and Duper if they didn't have Dan Marino as their QB. Most of the receivers in the HOF had HOF QB's throwing to them. A lot of receivers reflect their QB and some of Romo's receivers seem to reflect him. They'll make great plays during the regular season but never come up big when it matters most. The type of impulsive, gunslinging QB Romo is can create issues at times with communication between him and his receivers. There was a heated exchange on the sidelines between Romo and Witten last season after a misfire on 3rd down. Romo takes a lot of chances and forces the ball at times. There's a trust factor I think this team lacks with Romo. We've seen that with some of the play calling like in NE in 2011 not allowing Romo to throw the ball to try and put NE away in the final 3 minutes.

We saw it in AZ later that season with Garrett again not allowing Romo to put the ball up after just making a big play to Dez to try and make for an easier FG attempt. Garrett is so afraid of turnovers he would rather rely on his kicker from 48 yards out. The great teams had trust in their QB regardless of the situation and in each other. Here's a quote from Amad Bradshaw on NFLN in 2012: “You know what, man, I don’t see it happening,” Bradshaw said on NFL Network. “I don’t think they believe it, and they’re America’s team. It all comes in together. If the fans don’t believe it, the team doesn’t. They’re kinda doubtful with Romo.”

I see it's all on the QB.
So there are no great players beyond the QB?
And since we don't have a Joe Montana we're stuffed.
Might as well stop watching now.

 

[IrishAnto]

They've never had the opportunity to make a play anywhere near the significance of the Clark play because they don't have a Joe Montana as their QB leading them to championship games. For a team to be propelled to greatness they need a great QB and an excellent HC. Clark would have never had the opportunity to make that CATCH if Montana didn't get that pass off over the out stretched hands of Too Tall Jones and put it where he had the chance to make a play on it. When Montana won his first SB Jerry Rice and John Taylor hadn't even arrived. He won SB's with different sets of receivers.

Most great QB's make a receiver no one would have ever heard of Clayton and Duper if they didn't have Dan Marino as their QB. Most of the receivers in the HOF had HOF QB's throwing to them. A lot of receivers reflect their QB and some of Romo's receivers seem to reflect him. They'll make great plays during the regular season but never come up big when it matters most. The type of impulsive, gunslinging QB Romo is can create issues at times with communication between him and his receivers. There was a heated exchange on the sidelines between Romo and Witten last season after a misfire on 3rd down. Romo takes a lot of chances and forces the ball at times. There's a trust factor I think this team lacks with Romo. We've seen that with some of the play calling like in NE in 2011 not allowing Romo to throw the ball to try and put NE away in the final 3 minutes.

We saw it in AZ later that season with Garrett again not allowing Romo to put the ball up after just making a big play to Dez to try and make for an easier FG attempt. Garrett is so afraid of turnovers he would rather rely on his kicker from 48 yards out. The great teams had trust in their QB regardless of the situation and in each other. Here's a quote from Amad Bradshaw on NFLN in 2012: “You know what, man, I don’t see it happening,” Bradshaw said on NFL Network. “I don’t think they believe it, and they’re America’s team. It all comes in together. If the fans don’t believe it, the team doesn’t. They’re kinda doubtful with Romo.”

According to your version of events, they should rename “The Catch” as “The Throw” as Clark had little to do with it.

 

[KJJ]

What's causing the Cowboys to lose these win or go home games has been a combination of poor defensive play and Romo turning the ball over and never being on his game. The D starts fading at the end of every season. Last season in week 16 Brees shredded the defense for 444 yards through the air. The next week in the season finale Washington had virtually no passing game due to RG3 being injured so the D figured what the hell lets give up close to 300 yards rushing this week to change things up a bit.

At least "some" of the poor defensive play in these win or go home games has to be attributed to Romo's 12 turnovers that's put the defense back on the field. Continuing to put a struggling, tiring, injured defense back on the field isn't going to inspire a defense especially when some of those turnovers result in the D having to defend a short field. If the defense would step up and Romo would stop turning the damn ball over putting the D back on the field this 1-6 win or go home record can be improved upon very quickly.

 

[KJJ]

According to your version of events, they should rename “The Catch” as “The Throw” as Clark had little to do with it.

Was my version of events not accurate? Two things had to happen for that pass to be completed and it all got started with Montana avoiding the rush and getting the pass off. Had Clark not had to leap as high as he did to make the play it could have very easily been called The Throw but he made a great CATCH. Tyree would have never made the play he did had Eli not pulled away from what appeared to be a certain sack and got the ball off.

That pass had to be on the money or I should say on Tyree's head to pull that catch off. Neither Clark or Tyree would have had very eventful careers had it not been for those plays. That's all anyone will ever remember them for and I'm sure they both thank their lucky stars every single day they were apart of 2 plays that were so memorable.

 

[KJJ]

I see it's all on the QB.
So there are no great players beyond the QB?
And since we don't have a Joe Montana we're stuffed.
Might as well stop watching now.

If you're reading that it's all on the QB than you're not comprehending. All QB's need a good supporting cast to be successful and Romo has a good supporting cast as far as the skill positions but the great QB's can elevate the play of the players around them. Tebow sucked as a passer but the fans in Denver and his teammates were so inspired by his leadership and intangibles it elevated their play and led to a playoff win.

 

[IrishAnto]

Was my version of events not accurate? Two things had to happen for that pass to be completed and it all got started with Montana avoiding the rush and getting the pass off. Had Clark not had to leap as high as he did to make the play it could have very easily been called The Throw but he made a great CATCH. Tyree would have never made the play he did had Eli not pulled away from what appeared to be a certain sack and got the ball off.

That pass had to be on the money or I should say on Tyree's head to pull that catch off. Neither Clark or Tyree would have had very eventful careers had it not been for those plays. That's all anyone will ever remember them for and I'm sure they both thank their lucky stars every single day they were apart of 2 plays that were so memorable.

And if Clark didn’t leap a high as he did and stay in bounds, it would have been an incomplete pass.

Even if Clark was just an average player for most of his career it was still a great play by him and certainly more on him than on Montana.

It’s rare for anybody on the Dallas offense to elevate their play to that sort of height and it’s most certainly not all on the QB.

Let’s see Tebow get on going through 16 games than the play offs before comparing him to Romo.

 

[percyhoward]

I only glossed the OP...

OK, that figured.

 

[percyhoward]

I see it's all on the QB.
So there are no great players beyond the QB?
And since we don't have a Joe Montana we're stuffed.
Might as well stop watching now.

Actually, when somebody says, "It's all on the QB" that's not much of a stretch. They just forget that every team you'll ever play is saying the same thing about their own QB. Even Montana needed a pass defense. When the 49ers' or Chiefs' defense held the opposing QB to a 72.5 rating or lower, Montana was 14-0 in the playoffs.

When they allowed a 75.5 or higher, Montana was 4-6, including 0-2 when it was above 100.

 

[Rockport]

If you're reading that it's all on the QB than you're not comprehending. All QB's need a good supporting cast to be successful and Romo has a good supporting cast as far as the skill positions but the great QB's can elevate the play of the players around them. Tebow sucked as a passer but the fans in Denver and his teammates were so inspired by his leadership and intangibles it elevated their play and led to a playoff win.

If Romo has such a good supporting cast then why have we gone 8-8 the last 2 years?

 

[dstovall5]

If Romo has such a good supporting cast then why have we gone 8-8 the last 2 years?

Isn't it obvious? Romo is holding us back. We have one of the better supporting cast in the league, we have a great running game, a good pass defense, and a above average o-line. Ohh never mind, actually I think I just got us confused with the Baltimore Ravens, because for Dallas Romo has a horrible running game, a bad pass defense, and a even worse o-line. Though, what's funny is one of the few strengths we have is our passing offense, wonder why? Though we do have problems scoring the ball, and it's due to our atrocious running game (which is obvious).

 

[Rockport]

Isn't it obvious? Romo is holding us back. We have one of the better supporting cast in the league, we have a great running game, a good pass defense, and a above average o-line. Ohh never mind, actually I think I just got us confused with the Baltimore Ravens, because for Dallas Romo has a horrible running game, a bad pass defense, and a even worse o-line. Though, what's funny is one of the few strengths we have is our passing offense, wonder why? Though we do have problems scoring the ball, and it's due to our atrocious running game (which is obvious).

Damn Romo for causing us to have the 31st ranked run offense.

 

[KJJ]

If Romo has such a good supporting cast then why have we gone 8-8 the last 2 years?

It's been primarily the coaching. Immediately after Wade got fired a 1-7 Cowboys team with an aging backup QB went 5-3 including a win on the road over a Peyton Manning led Colts team. Even in 2010 the Cowboys showed they were capable of winning games if they're motivated and players have their head in the game. Are you going to tell me Romo doesn't have a good supporting cast? How has he been able to put up the numbers he does without some talent around him? The Cowboys have been a poorly coached disorganized team. You have players that don't hustle or know when to be on the field. The team has a HC who's a work in progress and still hasn't figured out when to call a time out.

 

[Rockport]

Are you going to tell me Romo doesn't have a good supporting cast?

It's been well documented that he does not have a good supporting cast.