...........The Cowboys kick a field goal to take a 24-23 lead with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. You promptly mourn the impending Cowboys defeat.
...........The Cowboys make a big play and you immediately fear the appearance of a penalty flag.
............You see some statistic proclaiming how the Cowboys are almost guaranteed to win because of some stat (i.e., teams that lead by 10 points in the fourth quarter have such-and-such an overwhelming likelihood of winning,) and say, "STOP SAYING THAT!" because you now think the Cowboys are going to lose.
.............You are watching a Cowboys game with a fan of the opposing team. The Cowboys lead his team by 6 points. His team trails the Cowboys by 6 points. Yet both of you are equally ashen-faced in despair.
..............Opposing kickers never seem to miss field goal attempts.
..............The opposing team faces a crucial 3rd down. You know they'll convert.
...............The opposing team faces a crucial 4th down. You know they'll convert.
..............You see Romo lining up in the shotgun in the red zone and screech in panic, "No interception! No interception! No interception! No interception! No interception! "
...............The opposing quarterback heaves a throw deep downfield. You know it'll be caught, even if in double coverage.
................Six-point and two-point leads make you extremely nervous. (I.e., the Cowboys lead 27-21. You immediately think they'll lose 28-27. Or they lead 23-21. You think they'll lose 24-23.)
................You assume that all penalty flags are against the Cowboys until proven otherwise.
...............You fret over whether the Cowboys are leading their opponent by one possession (1-8 points) or two possessions (9-16 points.)
...............The Cowboys are in the red zone. You say, "Run the ball! Run the ball! Don't throw a pass! Run the ball!" The Cowboys run a passing play. It ends up being a touchdown pass. You heave a sigh of relief. But the next time, you still want the Cowboys to run the ball in the red zone.
