We’ve Got Answers… And Another Biggest Game of the Year
By Matt Cordon (kh). Filed in Questions Waiting for Answers |
Dallas has clinched a playoff spot, but I think it is fair to say that most of us want more. And so next week’s game will be the biggest in eight days, for the Cowboys clinch the NFC East with a win. Wins over Philadelphia and Detroit, coupled with a New Orleans loss to either the Giants or the Panthers, means that Dallas gets its first playoff bye week since… oh, 1995. And the Cowboys did pretty well that year, so it’s not a bad goal to have.
Please note that the answers from last week may conveniently disregard the second quarter and most of the third quarter. You will note that this is true when the comments sound particularly happy.
(1) Can the Cowboys prove that they have a short memory? Dallas has not lost two in a row all season and have bounced back from some tough losses all year. Have no reason to think they can’t do it again.
And the Cowboys still haven’t lost two straight. Dallas even proved, to some extent, that it can have a short memory during a game, because the team had every reason to begin doubting itself after falling behind 28-21 in the third quarter.
(2) Does Dallas do anything differently with Tony Romo this week? Bill Parcells suggested that he was going to simplify the offense to some extent for Romo, but I’m not sure that was the problem. Blocking would help. It would also help if Dallas weren’t trailing by a double-digit score.
I’ve still only seen part of the game, but it didn’t sound (literally… sound) as if the Cowboys simplified their approach. As far as balance, the Cowboys run-pass ratio was about even. Romo’s lone interception was a result of the ball being tipped at the line.
(3) Does the Cowboys secondary respond? Roy Williams’ coverage skills (lack thereof) have become more of a focal point this season, given the problems in the Cowboys secondary.
Can I answer this nicely? No?
I’ll let Mickey Spagnola take a shot:
We need to come up with a different name for the safety position for the Cowboys. Safety is a misnomer. There is nothing safe back there, and it doesn’t matter if it’s Roy Williams, Keith Davis, Pat Watkins or now Nate Jones. The Cowboys have tried everything, even picking up Tony Parrish on waivers, although they didn’t even see fit to bring him to the game. The Cowboys even did what you all wanted, got Williams involved closer to the line of scrimmage. That didn’t help. Maybe we’ll just call them Free Danger and Strong Danger.
(4) Does that Terrell Owens fellow prove that he is the major force to stop on the Cowboys’ offense? According to an online poll on the Fort Worth Star Telegram, 67 percent of more than 2200 people who voted said that it was time for Owens to go. Wow.
Two touchdowns, including a 51-yarder, in the first half, and so the answer is yes. Spitting in the face of the opposing corner? Um….
One question: how does a player spit on another player through his facemask? That’s some good aim.
(5) Can the Cowboys contain Michael Vick and the Atlanta running backs? It is not clear which, if either, of the Falcon running backs — Warrick Dunn or Jerious Norwood– will play in this game. The fewer quality players to run routes in the flats, the better…
Dunn played and had some good runs, but he was not a major factor. Dunn and Vick each rushed for 56 yards, but the Cowboys had much more difficulty defending the pass.
(6) How many of us will be listening to this game on the radio? I’m getting more than a little bit ticked off about various aspects of NFL Network this season, given that I am paying for it but don’t get the games. If I end up missing this game… well, I’ll keep watching. Lying is a bad idea.
Tried watching on that Sopcast deal, but the video was delayed by about a minute and continually stopped while rebuffering. I am now convinced that listening to the game on the radio adds to anxiety by 500 to 700 percent.
(7) Prediction: Dallas 20, Atlanta 10. This is based on nothing but hope.
Dallas indeed won by 10, but that’s about all that I got right. But now on to the next biggest game in a long, long time, which should be the last one until the playoffs. But then again, the Lions game could be big because Dallas could be playing for a bye should some things go their way. Aghhh…
Wednesday, December 20th 2006 at 3:36 pm
I was wondering if the cowboys defensive line will be able to get to Jeff Garcia before he has time to pick apart our secondary like he’s been doing to past defenses.
Wednesday, December 20th 2006 at 4:12 pm
Thanks for the comment, Thomas, and good question. I think that the lack of a pass rush is the biggest problem of all, because it has directly contributed to many of the breakdowns in the secondary. And I think that the answer to your statement is yes– Garcia will tear us apart unless something changes, such as more stunting and more imaginative blitzing.