No need to limit it to short yardage. Garrett's a bum.Oh, and it's nice to see a decent December. Hopefully we can banish the memory of last year and get to 11-5.Yup, that's the playoffs boys. December swoon is over and now they are peaking at the right time.Still gotta work on the short yardage playcalling, but penalties were a non-issue and they dominated in every facet tonight. Great to see.Bring on b2b Eagles games!
Heading into tonights game Dallas was ranked 3rd in total offense, and T-12 in points scored.No need to limit it to short yardage. Garrett's a bum.Oh, and it's nice to see a decent December. Hopefully we can banish the memory of last year and get to 11-5.Yup, that's the playoffs boys. December swoon is over and now they are peaking at the right time.
Still gotta work on the short yardage playcalling, but penalties were a non-issue and they dominated in every facet tonight. Great to see.
Bring on b2b Eagles games!

You back on the bandwagon??Stick a fork in these guysThey're gonna get rolled by 3 touchdowns on Saturday nightthe offense is f-ing embarrassing and nobody on this team can step up and make a big play when they need itI'm ready to burn down Rome and start over

X 2I can't believe that there isn't more positive postings right now since most of the folks on this board have written Dallas off at one point or another this season. Let's get excited. We are in the Playoffs baby! Romo is looking like a hired killer out there and our defense is rolling. One more win and we will have won our division 2 out of the last 3 years and assured ourselves a home playoff game. It will also mean that we have fair weather throughout the playoffs.

As Romo and I (and others) have been saying all year, it isn't about who the media crowns in October and November. We are rolling at the right time. A win next week will have us primed and ready. We just need to make sure that we save something for the game after.3 things that I really like about this week.1. We kept Moss from killing us for the first season that I can remember off the top of my head. 1. We are in the playoffs.2. The Giants are not. Screw em.Yeah lets do this. I think this game will be one for the ages. What was the last time Dallas played the last game of the season for the division title? I believe it is was famous outing by Emmit with a dislocated shoulder vs the G-Men. Dallas won in OT and went on to win the SB. Of coarse they were the #1 seed that year I believe. Just saying this could be a spring board to bigger things.
and a 1st round bye isnt out of the question yet!
im convinced Roy is not going to progress at this point in his career. he'll make a nice catch and follow it up with a drop. thank gawd for Miles Austin! Al Michaels threw out a stat on Roy. he' leading the NFL in "on target" drops with 10. not sure if that includes tonight. pretty sure he had one drop before Michaels said this, and one after.We apparently don't match up well with the Giants although we I think beat them in yards. Teams with 3 good receiving targets are worse for our defense IMO.
Roy makes as many bad plays as good.
Happy to have good Romo for awhile. Hopefully he's turned the corner. I'd like to see more designed roll-outs in short-yardage situations as an alternative to the power game which doesn't seem to be working. Romo doesn't need to be taking hits with QB sneaks though.
If Columbo is back will Free rotate in at both OT spots? I've heard mixed reviews on Free so far but he's looking better to take over for Flo next year although he's also been better lately.
Still not sure why Witten isn't getting RZ targets.
Less Razorback please.
Root for the Bears, Packers, and Giants to beat the Vikes (16), Cards (17), and Vikes (17). Either way if we win the division it means no more bad weather games.
More offense would have been nice but the team kind of went into cruise control given how bad the Skins are on offense.
Playoffs! Whoo!!!
Yes, Roy has some issues. I'd attribute Romo's pick to Roy not catching a ball that hit him in the hands. A good defensive play, no doubt. But Come On, Man!

I agree. Its two teams that are explosive but inconsistent on offense. Pressure defenses. It may come down to turnovers and big plays. Does Jackson or Austin make the 60 yarder?The Eagles game should be interesting. The key to the game will be if McNabb has time to throw, the Eagles should be able to move the ball through the air. If McNabb does not have time to throw, I don't see the Eagles being able to rely on their running game to move the ball. The Cowboys will get their points against the Eagles, because the Eagles haven't really been a shutdown defense all year. Another key will be for Romo not to force things as the Eagles can force turnovers.I really don't know who will win.
Yeah, if you say you know who will win this game you are full of crap. These are two equal teams and I feel one will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. I sure hope it is the Cowboys cause I can't stand the Eagles.Come to think of it, would anyone be surprised if any of the 6 teams from the NFC are the team that is in the Super Bowl.(NO, MINNY, ARZ, DALLAS, PHILLY, GB)NFC is tough, while the great AFC has two dominant teams in Indy and SD. I really think the NFC takes the crown this year.What team do you think is the favorite to take the NFC?dhockster said:I give the Cowboys credit for backing up their upset of the Saints with a solid performance against the Redskins. Yes, the Redskins offense has had major injuries and doesn't put much pressure on a defense, but still, the Cowboys got up in the first half and were never threatened.The Eagles game should be interesting. The key to the game will be if McNabb has time to throw, the Eagles should be able to move the ball through the air. If McNabb does not have time to throw, I don't see the Eagles being able to rely on their running game to move the ball. The Cowboys will get their points against the Eagles, because the Eagles haven't really been a shutdown defense all year. Another key will be for Romo not to force things as the Eagles can force turnovers.I really don't know who will win.
Nice points but I think you might be a little hard on Roy. He agrees that he needs to play better but from everything I have read and heard he has been working hard. He has to talk to the media when they interview him. They have asked him plenty of pointed questions and he has avoided the bait for the most part. If he didn't talk to the media they would say that he is sulking because of his lack of plays and make up stories about him.It is harder to make plays when you know that you are only going to get 3-4 in a game but he isn't calling anyone out. He knows that until he starts giving better results the team can't afford to give him more targets. Every drop he owned up to in this last game and put the blame on himself. He said he got his hands up late on the ball that was intercepted and that he started running before he caught one because he knew that the corner was on his outside and it was set up to be a big run after the catch.BigDave said:Good
-We're playing much better(especially in Dec. 09 versus 08)
-We're playing more confident, especially defense(thanks Wade)
-Romo has limited his mistakes
-Flozell has even reduced his penalties
Bad
-Still haven't figured out the running game rotation
-Short yardage is a problem
-Romo can't run a QB sneak WTF
-Red Head needs to manage the end of the half and the end of games better
-Roy Williams needs to shut the F up and catch the ball. No more excuses please!
-He has a habit of getting open in the end zone lately and Romo scrambles to find him-Great, doesn't take him off the hook for all the other mistakes
-He can't catch a pass that hits him in the hands/face/wherever and he complains
-Tough game versus the Eagles, glad it's at home
-May face the Eagles again at Linc - Ouch!
My prediction earlier was 11-5 and I still stand by it.
I think we win at least one playoff game and we'll see what else happens.
Overall I'm pleased withthe season so far and have much higher expectations for this team than last year's team.
GO COWBOYS!!!!!
What are you talking about, Romo's played outstanding down the stretch and the majority of the season.Ariakis said:I would also add that neither running game is likely to dominate this contest although I would take the Boys trio over that of the Eagles. That said, the Eagles might have more weapons as Roy Williams is getting worse game by game. McNabb has been as inconsistant as Romo so that's going to be hard to predict. Romo fairs better against zone defenses than pressure defenses which works against him in this game ... although he won in Philly earlier this year. In the end it may come down to home field. All in all I hope they don't meet in week 18.
this is huge in this game. Romo has been among the leagues best at INT/TD ratio, and just generally taking care of the ball. a very big improvement from the past couple years. he needs to take that into the playoffs.what CANNOT happen for the Cowboys to win, is Garrett and Romo to panic and start slinging the ball all over the field. they've been very good at taking what the defense is giving. cant turn the ball over against the eagles. you give Mcnabb too many chances and he'll make you pay.dhockster said:I give the Cowboys credit for backing up their upset of the Saints with a solid performance against the Redskins. Yes, the Redskins offense has had major injuries and doesn't put much pressure on a defense, but still, the Cowboys got up in the first half and were never threatened.
The Eagles game should be interesting. The key to the game will be if McNabb has time to throw, the Eagles should be able to move the ball through the air. If McNabb does not have time to throw, I don't see the Eagles being able to rely on their running game to move the ball. The Cowboys will get their points against the Eagles, because the Eagles haven't really been a shutdown defense all year. Another key will be for Romo not to force things as the Eagles can force turnovers.
I really don't know who will win.
I actually saw the interview on Cowboys.com and the question that was put to him. Before the question he said that he is getting about 3-4 balls a game right now and that he needs to make the most of those and he hasn't been. Afterwards they put the question to him if he thought he would catch more balls if he was targeted more or something like that. It is hard to hear the entire question on the interviews. Now what is the guy supposed to say? No I would probably drop those as well? He is not saying that he needs more targets and he isn't putting himself above the team. I want him to improve and I expect that he will but I am not going to call him out when by all accounts he is being a good teammate and working hard.I don't think I'm too hard on Roy! He's a professional athlete that is paid very well to perform at a top level under pressure situations.
Before it was the fact Romo was throwing awkard balls to him and nice spirals to everyone else.
Maybe some truth there, but you still get paid to catch the ball no matter where it's thrown on or near your body.(watch Austin for clues on how to catch the ball, come back for it, go up for it etc...)
Norm was on the ticket today and mentioned that Roy thought that if he was targeted more then he would perform better and not drop as many balls. Not sure of that logic. I guess a drop or missed catch is magnified more when you only have 4 balls thrown to you.
My response would be that if you want to earn the trust of Romo and have more balls thrown your way, CATCH the ones that he does throw to you and build the confidence in him to throw to you.
Does anyone know what his drop % was in Detroit?
Roy just needs to catch the ball. the Cowboys are an offense by committee. he's not all the sudden going to get brandon marshall type targets.and i agree that he doesnt seem to be a problem in the lockerroom. he admits his faults. it's admirable. BUT if he drops a game winner in the playoffs.........I actually saw the interview on Cowboys.com and the question that was put to him. Before the question he said that he is getting about 3-4 balls a game right now and that he needs to make the most of those and he hasn't been. Afterwards they put the question to him if he thought he would catch more balls if he was targeted more or something like that. It is hard to hear the entire question on the interviews. Now what is the guy supposed to say? No I would probably drop those as well? He is not saying that he needs more targets and he isn't putting himself above the team. I want him to improve and I expect that he will but I am not going to call him out when by all accounts he is being a good teammate and working hard.I don't think I'm too hard on Roy! He's a professional athlete that is paid very well to perform at a top level under pressure situations.
Before it was the fact Romo was throwing awkard balls to him and nice spirals to everyone else.
Maybe some truth there, but you still get paid to catch the ball no matter where it's thrown on or near your body.(watch Austin for clues on how to catch the ball, come back for it, go up for it etc...)
Norm was on the ticket today and mentioned that Roy thought that if he was targeted more then he would perform better and not drop as many balls. Not sure of that logic. I guess a drop or missed catch is magnified more when you only have 4 balls thrown to you.
My response would be that if you want to earn the trust of Romo and have more balls thrown your way, CATCH the ones that he does throw to you and build the confidence in him to throw to you.
Does anyone know what his drop % was in Detroit?
What are you talking about, Romo's played outstanding down the stretch and the majority of the season.Ariakis said:I would also add that neither running game is likely to dominate this contest although I would take the Boys trio over that of the Eagles. That said, the Eagles might have more weapons as Roy Williams is getting worse game by game. McNabb has been as inconsistant as Romo so that's going to be hard to predict. Romo fairs better against zone defenses than pressure defenses which works against him in this game ... although he won in Philly earlier this year. In the end it may come down to home field. All in all I hope they don't meet in week 18.
BTW the knock on Romo is that he has struggled against zone and not man to man. He has had trouble in the past identifying the zone blitzer and finding the safety. This appears to have improved as well lately. He has not had much trouble against the Eagles. He beat them earlier this year and he beat them the first game that they played them last season. As long as we don't give up the ball repeatedly at the beginning of the game we will be fine.What's wrong with a QB sneak in that spot? I don't know that I have ever seen them QB sneak.On 3rd and 4th and short, the Cowboys get all conservative, bunch up and try to run the ball up the middle. On 3 seperate occasions, twice on 4th down and another on 3rd down the Cowboys needed less than a yard and ran Marion Barber for next to nothing on similar plays.
I don't think they Cowboys have it in their playbook.I'm actually serious. I remember Troy talking about this back in the day.What's wrong with a QB sneak in that spot? I don't know that I have ever seen them QB sneak.On 3rd and 4th and short, the Cowboys get all conservative, bunch up and try to run the ball up the middle. On 3 seperate occasions, twice on 4th down and another on 3rd down the Cowboys needed less than a yard and ran Marion Barber for next to nothing on similar plays.
Unbelievable.I don't think they Cowboys have it in their playbook.I'm actually serious. I remember Troy talking about this back in the day.What's wrong with a QB sneak in that spot? I don't know that I have ever seen them QB sneak.On 3rd and 4th and short, the Cowboys get all conservative, bunch up and try to run the ball up the middle. On 3 seperate occasions, twice on 4th down and another on 3rd down the Cowboys needed less than a yard and ran Marion Barber for next to nothing on similar plays.
We would need GB to win as well.Dallas fans should be rooting for the Giants this weekend. A Cowboy and Giant win gives you the #2 seed.
Yes you are correctWe would need GB to win as well.Dallas fans should be rooting for the Giants this weekend. A Cowboy and Giant win gives you the #2 seed.
Hopefully GB will play all out, even though they really don't have much to play for. (5 seed vs. 6 seed)Yes you are correctWe would need GB to win as well.Dallas fans should be rooting for the Giants this weekend. A Cowboy and Giant win gives you the #2 seed.
5 OR 6 seed means something this year in the NFC cause any team can win it so it would not surprise me if #5 meets #6 in the NFC title game. I would think it would be better to be the #5 seed.Hopefully GB will play all out, even though they really don't have much to play for. (5 seed vs. 6 seed)Yes you are correctWe would need GB to win as well.Dallas fans should be rooting for the Giants this weekend. A Cowboy and Giant win gives you the #2 seed.
Agreed. We need to keep playing.All I want is to have a home game during the wildcard. Having a bye week is great but I like the way we are playing right now and would prefer not to have a week off.