By my memory the cowboys have typically been dominant in November but December has been a different story. This team feels different. With dominant performances late in the season the team looks poised to surge into the playoffs. It also helps that Dak is playing as well as any QB in the league

You're right, JR15. The national types have come around to the cowboys being able to finally do it this year. A lot of that centers around Dak. The stats are one thing, but it's the consistency and the leadership/poise he's showing throughout the game, no matter the circumstances that is keeping this team from spiralling. We just reset, go back out and do it again.

It's good to watch. The fumble-6 by Dak on Sunday could have been a turning point in the game, and I'd argue is the turning point we've seen in the past where Dak then comes out and makes another mistake, or at the very least doesn't elevate his team to overcome the shift in momentum.

Here's the play sequence after that fumble-6:

• 1st & 10 at DAL 25
  (10:41 - 3rd) T.Pollard right guard to DAL 30 for 5 yards (M.Tuipulotu, K.Byard).
• 2nd & 5 at DAL 30
  (10:06 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Prescott pass short right to T.Pollard to DAL 36 for 6 yards (S.Leonard).
• 1st & 10 at DAL 36
  (9:25 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Prescott pass incomplete short right to M.Gallup (D.Slay).
• 2nd & 10 at DAL 36
  (9:21 - 3rd) (Shotgun) R.Dowdle right guard to DAL 40 for 4 yards (J.Sweat, M.Tuipulotu). DAL-R.Dowdle was injured during the play.
• 3rd & 6 at DAL 40
  (9:08 - 3rd) Timeout at 09:08.
• 3rd & 6 at DAL 40
  (8:58 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Prescott pass short middle to J.Ferguson to PHI 28 for 32 yards (S.Brown).
• 1st & 10 at PHI 28
  (8:09 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Prescott pass short right to T.Pollard to PHI 22 for 6 yards (K.Byard).
• 2nd & 4 at PHI 22
  (7:31 - 3rd) (Shotgun) C.Lamb left end to PHI 22 for no gain (Z.Cunningham; J.Bradberry). PENALTY on DAL-T.Biadasz, Clipping, 15 yards, enforced at PHI 22 - No Play.
• 2nd & 19 at PHI 37
  (6:41 - 3rd) (Shotgun) R.Dowdle left tackle to PHI 33 for 4 yards (S.Brown).
• 3rd & 15 at PHI 33
  (6:05 - 3rd) (Shotgun) D.Prescott scrambles up the middle to PHI 23 for 10 yards (E.Ricks). PENALTY on DAL-T.Biadasz, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at PHI 33 - No Play.
• 3rd & 25 at PHI 43
  (5:38 - 3rd) (Shotgun) T.Pollard right end to PHI 41 for 2 yards (K.Ringo; Z.Cunningham).
• 4th & 23 at PHI 41
  (4:49 - 3rd) B.Aubrey 59 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-T.Sieg, Holder-B.Anger.

12 plays, some good throws to extend the drive that probably ends in a touchdown if Biadasz doesn't get 2 offensive penalties. Ends with a 59y field goal and we keep it at a 3 score game. That's huge!!! And the reason why these cowboys are different than the cowboys we've seen in the past.

Defense goes out after a long break, shuts them down, and that turnover turns into a minor blip on the radar.


I really like the Ryen Russillo podcast and he had a great segment with Todd McShay yesterday on Dak and the cowboys.

Good post. I know he gets some grief for the occasional game management snafu, but McCarthy deserves a ton of credit for Dak and this offense. The guy knows how to run an offense.

I am out of podcasts to listen to, so I turned on Undisputed just now and of course it's the cowboys as a topic and Skip says that AJ Brown made a mistake of telling Stephon Gilmore he was old early in the game...

Simple case of "I'm not as good as I once was. But I'm as good once, as I ever was!" hahaha, dude definitely had a fire about him that whole game.

Yep, I agree. I was a little miffed that some people were venting during the game thread after the scoop & score. We all say dumb stuff in the heat of the moment so I'm not holding it against anyone.

But, I think one comment was "just when I thought Dak was through doing dumb crap". I don't think I responded, but in my head I was thinking, what an idiotic thing to say. Every QB will eventually turn the ball over, they literally touch the ball every play. Why are we Dak hating all of a sudden?

The point being, yes, it was refreshing to see a play go really bad for us... as bad as a play could possibly go... and yet, the offense and defense just kept on doing their thing and we still kicked the crap out of a good football team.

ChemAg15 said:

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By my memory the cowboys have typically been dominant in November but December has been a different story. This team feels different. With dominant performances late in the season the team looks poised to surge into the playoffs. It also helps that Dak is playing as well as any QB in the league

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Hardline was discussing this talking point yesterday. Here are Dak's and McCarthy's December W/L record since arriving:

Dak Prescott: 20-6 (Has a 95.0 QBR for the month of December in his career)
Mike McCarthy: 12-2 (one of them being an OT loss to the Jaguars)

Legal Custodian said:

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ChemAg15 said:

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By my memory the cowboys have typically been dominant in November but December has been a different story. This team feels different. With dominant performances late in the season the team looks poised to surge into the playoffs. It also helps that Dak is playing as well as any QB in the league

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Hardline was discussing this talking point yesterday. Here are Dak's and McCarthy's December W/L record since arriving:

Dak Prescott: 20-6 (Has a 95.0 QBR for the month of December in his career)
Mike McCarthy: 12-2 (one of them being an OT loss to the Jaguars)

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Yeah, the December slumps go way back to the Jason Garret days... specifically, some of the later Romo years. Just goes to show you how long fans and the media will hold on to things when it's related to the Cowboys.

I think that happens when it's been so long even getting to the NFC title game... we tend to hold onto every negative trend and think "Oh no, it's going to happen again".

But I agree, this team is different. Heartbreak may still be a month away, but it will be because we just got beat, not because of any "here we go again" choke job.

This made me laugh. I saw his cheap shot on Dobbs. The fumble ended up being the difference in the game. Dobbs hasn't been the same ever since.

Literally every other player has figured it out. What an idiot.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39098859/kareem-jackson-not-sure-how-protect-other-player-hits

jr15aggie said:

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Legal Custodian said:

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ChemAg15 said:

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By my memory the cowboys have typically been dominant in November but December has been a different story. This team feels different. With dominant performances late in the season the team looks poised to surge into the playoffs. It also helps that Dak is playing as well as any QB in the league

---

Hardline was discussing this talking point yesterday. Here are Dak's and McCarthy's December W/L record since arriving:

Dak Prescott: 20-6 (Has a 95.0 QBR for the month of December in his career)
Mike McCarthy: 12-2 (one of them being an OT loss to the Jaguars)

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Yeah, the December slumps go way back to the Jason Garret days... specifically, some of the later Romo years. Just goes to show you how long fans and the media will hold on to things when it's related to the Cowboys.

I think that happens when it's been so long even getting to the NFC title game... we tend to hold onto every negative trend and think "Oh no, it's going to happen again".

But I agree, this team is different. Heartbreak may still be a month away, but it will be because we just got beat, not because of any "here we go again" choke job.

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Garrett never had any business being a head coach in the NFL. Garrett and the coaches would prepare a game plan and if it didn't work, they would stand there like a bunch of deer in headlights while the other team tore us apart.

They would never adjust or send help. It's why Calvin Johnson and that defensive lineman from Atlanta had career days against us.

While getting the #1 seed is the best outcome this season it's most likely not happening. But the #2 seed is actually the easier path considering we'd have to play the 7 seed at home then most likely the eagles or lions at home. Then probably onto SF but we can cross that bridge when we get to it

All I do is Nguyen said:

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While getting the #1 seed is the best outcome this season it's most likely not happening. But the #2 seed is actually the easier path considering we'd have to play the 7 seed at home then most likely the eagles or lions at home. Then probably onto SF but we can cross that bridge when we get to it

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How likely could we get a path of

@ New Orleans / TB / or Atlanta

@ Detroit

@ SF / Philly

3 road games in a row, but I wouldn't mind that. Could be a lot worse.

Honestly the best case scenario, if it plays out optimally, is the 2 seed.

You get a slack jawed 8 win team from the NFC South or North at home in the wild card round, then another home game against Detroit and then get Philly at home in the conference title game when they upset SF. And it's really the only realistic scenario left where you could avoid SF entirely barring a MASSIVE upset. As the one seed you do play one less game BUT you are almost guaranteed to face both Philly and SF to get to the SB. Dallas at home is so much better than whoever they'd see in the WC round that I'd trade that risk for only having to play one of those teams, because Detroit is so far behind both of them. I also don't think where we play SF matters much, they are just such a terrible matchup in terms of scheme and personnel.

If you're the 5 seed the most likely path to the SB is to play 3 road games. The 1st game is automatically on the road. The second game is a road game unless the 2 and 3 seeds both lose in the wildcard. Then you're on the road unless you're playing the 6 or 7 seed in the NFC championship.

jr15aggie said:

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Legal Custodian said:

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ChemAg15 said:

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By my memory the cowboys have typically been dominant in November but December has been a different story. This team feels different. With dominant performances late in the season the team looks poised to surge into the playoffs. It also helps that Dak is playing as well as any QB in the league

---

Hardline was discussing this talking point yesterday. Here are Dak's and McCarthy's December W/L record since arriving:

Dak Prescott: 20-6 (Has a 95.0 QBR for the month of December in his career)
Mike McCarthy: 12-2 (one of them being an OT loss to the Jaguars)

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Yeah, the December slumps go way back to the Jason Garret days... specifically, some of the later Romo years. Just goes to show you how long fans and the media will hold on to things when it's related to the Cowboys.

I think that happens when it's been so long even getting to the NFC title game... we tend to hold onto every negative trend and think "Oh no, it's going to happen again".

But I agree, this team is different. Heartbreak may still be a month away, but it will be because we just got beat, not because of any "here we go again" choke job.

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The last two years definitely hasn't been choking, they just ran into their kryptonite both years. Winning championships in a single elimination postseason format is as much about matchups and injuries as it is talent/skill. There's some luck involved especially when it comes to things like multi team tiebreakers and such.

2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2022 were all Super Bowl caliber teams. All those teams were better than a number of actual SB champions. The fact that NONE broke through to even the conference title game is a statistical anomaly. The 2014 team really stands out, they came out on the short end of a three team tie for the #1 seed despite being 1-0 against the other two teams AND were in that position because they lost two games due to Romo getting hurt. And even then it was the call in GB that cost them an title game appearence.

Grapesoda2525 said:

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They would never adjust or send help. It's why Calvin Johnson and that defensive lineman from Atlanta had career days against us.

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I remember the Saints breaking the record for most first downs in a game as well. Thinking about the Garrett years gives you that I wasted so much of my life feeling

Last year for sure… I can't remember the year before but I believe it was Dak and Moore. Moore sucks as an OC.

Dak Had a propensity to turn a bad play on into complete death spiral. That may have been Kellen Moore completely. I'll bet $1000 that he isn't an OC in 2-3 years. Hes really bad. I'd say next year, but the chargers surprise the hell out of me.

As I get older I recognize age means something. Experience means something and Dak paired with this play calling is really good. He had elevated his game. Hes NEVER been more decisive and he's delivering dimes. Dak is a different person and it's undeniable.

Woods Ag said:

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Last year for sure… I can't remember the year before but I believe it was Dak and Moore.

Dak Had a propensity to turn a bad play on into complete death spiral. That may have been Kellen Moore completely. I'll bet $1000 that he isn't an OC in 2-3 years. Hes really bad. I'd say next year, but the chargers surprise the hell out of me.

As I get older I recognize age means something. Experience means something and Dak paired with this play calling is really good. He had elevated his game. Hes NEVER been more decisive and he's delivering dimes. Dak is a different person and it's undeniable.

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I remember Romo saying something to the effect that playing QB in the NFL is cruel in that by the time you start to figure things out and get the mental side down and you've seen everything, that's when your body starts to fail and you can't physically do what your mind and will now know to do.

Thays 100% true for Romo. By the time he was ready the original team was too old and it took a rebuild. By the time that team was ready - The injury and Dak. I believe we win the Super Bowl his final year that he blessed Dak to continue.

We may be seeing the same thing with Dak. If you aren't Mahomes or Burrow. It just takes time with a good QB. They have to fall on their face 5-6 times. Stop giving **** and then they're ready. I always put Burrow in the Mahomes category bc I think he's the most complete QB I've ever seen.

Exactly what we were talking about…

Mark Sanchez was Dak's teammate in 2016. He actually mentor Dak during his rookie year. Casuals makes fun of Dak's age but it's funny when the greats had their best years post 30.

Sanchez broke it down beautifully. Dak has seen everything from a coverage standpoint .Just years… pic.twitter.com/56UooiHRs9

— MartinTalkCowboys (@DAK_4_MVP) December 13, 2023

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The #2 seed does look appealing in terms of who you'd likely play in the division round, but you will play a better team in round 1 than who the 5 seed will.

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How do you figure? The 7 seed could very well be the team that finishes SECOND in the NFC South or NFC North. None of those teams are worrisome. Seattle and LA would be the two that could potentially be dangerous but we've already beaten both teams this year, and looking at the Rams schedule they'll probably get the six seed (their only tough game, SF, is in week 18 and they may have clinched everything and rest starters).

That's really good. Thanks for sharing.

Infection_Ag11 said:

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Quote:

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The #2 seed does look appealing in terms of who you'd likely play in the division round, but you will play a better team in round 1 than who the 5 seed will.

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How do you figure? The 7 seed could very well be the team that finishes SECOND in the NFC South or NFC North. None of those teams are worrisome. Seattle and LA would be the two that could potentially be dangerous but we've already beaten both teams this year, and looking at the Rams schedule they'll probably get the six seed (their only tough game, SF, is in week 18 and they may have clinched everything and rest starters).

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The NFC South all still play each other once... I have a very hard time believing their #2 will be a WC. But I suppose it's possible.

But you're right, no way of knowing right now... but what is pretty much a lock already is the #2 NFC East Team will be playing the #1 NFC South team and that should be a gimme playoff win. It's the only silver lining of not winning the East.

I'm pretty sure Seattle and LA are going to get the other two WC spots and I really don't care to play Seattle again. But I'll take my chances if that means they beat the Eagles on Sunday!!!

The Saints make me a little nervous, they have a competent QB, a solid defense and we'd have to play them in the dome. Atlanta and TB would almost certainly be laughers though. This defense will eat Ridder or Mayfield alive.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/cam-newton-says-mvp-favorites-dak-prescott-brock-purdy-among-game-managers-theyre-not-difference-makers/amp/

Pretty rich coming from a guy who couldn't make a roster in his early 30s.

And I'm all for having your own style but he looks like a complete ****ing doofus.

jr15aggie said:

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Infection_Ag11 said:

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Honestly the best case scenario, if it plays out optimally, is the 2 seed.

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It's funny, cause a few weeks ago the #5 seed looked like the easiest path to the NFC title game. You'd get to play the terrible NFC South first and then you'd get Philly instead of SF. Not anymore.

The #2 seed does look appealing in terms of who you'd likely play in the division round, but you will play a better team in round 1 than who the 5 seed will.

But forgetting all the scenarios, I want home playoff games for Dallas. #1 or #2 seed all the way and I'll take our chances with whoever we have to play.

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Don't forget that we always seem to trip on our own dicks when we play the packers and they're still in the mix. I've been rooting against them, but they're still hanging around. They even handled us without Rodgers last time we played them.

We been tripping over our own dicks for 28 years. It's freaking brutal considering how talented the teams have been at various points.

Made me laugh bc you gotta be a true fan to be looking in the rear view mirror at the packers going "alright mother ****ers, enough already" sweating a potential future playoff matchup

Edge declared for the draft. That needs to be our 1st pick. Then find some fat strong dude that can't be moved and our defense is complete.

Would love Cooper, but I don't think he will project as a 1st round LB. I could be wrong, but that would surprise me.

I also don't feel like we are as concerned about LB if Overshown had been playing all year. What he showed in a very short amount of time reminded me of LVE his rookie season... sideline to sideline dude... big, fast, powerful. He would have helped us this year and I really hope he comes back 100%.

Woods Ag said:

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We been tripping over our own dicks for 28 years. It's freaking brutal considering how talented the teams have been at various points.

Made me laugh bc you gotta be a true fan to be looking in the rear view mirror at the packers going "alright mother ****ers, enough already" sweating a potential future playoff matchup

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Don't think the packers were on anyone's radar to be the team that would end our season during Dak / Zekes rookie year. I thought we would go to NFC title game or Super Bowl at least.

He won't which is why he'll be there at the end of the 1st.

Him and Overshown roaming the middle. That speed would be legit.

jr15aggie said:

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Would love Cooper, but I don't think he will project as a 1st round LB. I could be wrong, but that would surprise me.

I also don't feel like we are as concerned about LB if Overshown had been playing all year. What he showed in a very short amount of time reminded me of LVE his rookie season... sideline to sideline dude... big, fast, powerful. He would have helped us this year and I really hope he comes back 100%.

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Sucks to imagine what this defense could've been like if we had overshown and diggs all season. Although…..we still need a run stop / middle plugger guy. Hankins is serviceable at best and Mazi is slow developing.

I don't think Cooper will be a 1st round pick not because he's not talented, but because I think linebacker is becoming a less drafted position super high in the draft. If he's going to be a first round pick it's going to be late 1st at the absolute best.

I agree that Cooper may not be a 1st rounder but we absolutely need a playmaking LB or mountain that can't be moved on the DL in the first round.