I usually write up my post game thoughts after the game, but I needed a day to decompress from such a lousy performance. The Cowboys we saw before the bye week were no were to be found, and things are getting cloudy now.
If the playoffs started today, we would be on the out looking in yet again.
At 8-4, the Cowboys are still in the hunt, but with performance like they have had the last two games, they will not make it.
Garrett, is in must win mode the rest of the way.
The Cowboys schedule is pretty unforgiving the rest of the way. Not a single “easy” game coming up.
Final four games: @Bears; @Eagles; Colts; Redskins
This team can really head any direction. It’s totally plausible that they could go on a downward spiral and end up 8-8. Garrett would get canned.
The one saving grace has been that these Cowboys have bounced back this year, and have bounced back during games. So, at the minimum, they should be able to split the last four games and end up 10-6.
The scary thing is the NFC South may send a sub .500 team to the playoff. The Cowboys need to win and may need help from other teams losing.
As for the game against the Eagles, the Cowboys were out of sync; looked lethargic, bad play calls on both sides, and unmotivated on both sides of the ball. They didn’t look like they wanted to be on the field. It was the worse performance of the year.
How much of this is a result of the short turnaround? It’s definitely a factor. The NFL screwed us on this schedule, but it’s not like the Cowboys didn’t know this was coming. We knew the schedule since Spring. The Cowboys need to win against the Bears, and then face the Eagles in what could end up deciding the NFC East winner for 2014.
The Eagles are good, and Sanchez has yet to fall apart, so let’s get that out of our heads. The Cowboys need to dig in and come up with some flawless gameplans or we’ll be home for the playoffs – again.
My thoughts on the game:
— DeMarcus Lawrence may end up being the LE in 2015, he’s not getting it done from the RE. I liked last week’s game, but he’s not getting to the QB and not pressuring the QB. Is he better than Mincey? Not right now. Is he better then Selvie or Spencer? Maybe. We traded a lot to get him and I thought by now the sacks would start coming. He had ONE tackle yesterday…
— The Cowboys braintrust need to think about getting a legit pass rusher in free agency, and an additional one in the draft. I feel that this defense is a solid pass rusher away from turning the corner. They need to get that player in 2015, whether its Suh, Hardy or Jason Pierre-Paul, someone needs to be brought in here.
— Should Terrance Williams be demoted in favor of Devin Street? Sounds outlandish, I know, but is it really? Williams is on a serious slump and who knows what it is? Personal or the dreaded sophomore slump. Street was brought in because of his smooth route running and hands. I think we should look into this.
— Cole Beasley can make us celebrate, but he can make some stupid fumbles too. He hadn’t been considering a guy that fumbles often, but all the sudden he’s screwing up. C’mon man, seriously.
— Why are the Cowboys insistent on not using Escobar more? As each game passes by, the more the pick is looking wasted. Jerry said we are not in the business of grooming QBs, but we could be in the business of grooming tight ends. Fasano, and Bennett are the first that come to mind. Will Escobar end up doing better elsewhere once he finishes his rookie contract? I’m going to say yes.
— Brandon Carr is a free agent bust like Marcellus Wiley. We paid a good chunk of money and not getting anything good from him.
— J.J. Wilcox will be competing for his job next season. He can’t cover and make solid tackles. He’ll hit you, he has that covered, but in this passing era, you need to cover and wrap up your guy. No wonder the Cowboys kept hoping Matt Johnson would come around. We need another safety.
— Substituting Dunbar for Murray has not worked out at all. Dunbar is money when is comes to catching the ball out of the backfield, but if you give him a traditional handoff his vision disappears. Leave the traditional run calls to Murray and Randle!
— The Cowboys drop to 2-2 in the division. The Eagles are 3-0.
— Anthony Hitchens led all defensive players with 12 tackles.
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The Bears are next and just a few weeks ago it looked they the wheels had fallen completely off, but they have been competitive. The Bears have given the Cowboys tons of trouble the last two times we have played them, so this game will be a dog fight.
C’mon Cowboys, let’s get over the perpetual 8-8 hump.
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