COWBOYS FINALLY ON THE RIGHT TRACK
By mark rogers
December 28, 2009
I'm not saying they're going to stay on the right track...
What I'm saying is that I'd rather end the regular season on a high note, than start off strong and fizzle when it really matters...like we've done the last few years.
With a win next week against Philadelphia, we'll clinch the NFC East.
If we lose next week, we still go to the playoffs in the Wild Card slot (nine Wild Card teams have won the Super Bowl by the way).
If we win next week and Minnesota loses tonight and next week...we get the #2 seed and a first round bye. So the 6- through 2-seeds are up for grabs.
We're in this position because we've won four of our last six games. And that's despite losing the first two games in December which did nothing but bolster the "Dallas Doesn't Do December" belief.
Tony Romo (like him or not) played at a phenomenal level this month. And his play has seemingly rallied the troops...
The offense ranks 2nd in the NFL in yards per play (only the Saints gain more) and 2nd in the NFC in yards per game (again, only the Saints gain more).
Our three "horses" in the running back stable have combined to carry 365 times for 1,784 yards and 12 TDs.
Jason Witten will have a chance at a 100 reception season.
Miles Austin is leading the NFC in receiving yards and touchdowns despite not starting until the 5th game and only tallying 5 catches for 81 yards and a TD in the first four. He's also leading the NFC with 20 catches of 20 or more yards (which comes in at 3rd in the entire NFL). His 7 catches of 40 or more yards is 2nd in the conference and 3rd in the league.
But as good as the offense has been lately, the defense has outshined them.
5th in the NFC in opponents 3rd down conversion percentage.
2nd in the NFC in rush yards per attempt and per game.
We're the only team in the NFC that hasn't allowed a run of more than 40 yards all season. We've only given up 5 pass plays of 40 or more yards. Only the Bears and Seahawks have given up fewer.
The defense ranks 5th in sacks after getting off to a dismal start in that category to start the season.
And, my personal favorite, we have given up the fewest points in the entire NFC and are third in the NFL behind the Jets and Ravens. That's how you win games.
All that to say, after starting off December in what seemed to be pretty typical Dallas Cowboys Disasterdom, we've righted the ship and are now a "Hot Team to Watch Out For" headed into the post season.
And with the Saints, Vikings and Colts all coming off their high-horses lately, I'd say it's anybody's Super Bowl Title at this point.
Will we lose this week and get hammered in the first round? Possibly.
Then it's back to hating the Cowboys all over again...but at least they make it interesting.
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