Eerie similarities have sprung up for the Cowboys in this final month of the season, with four December wins, the Cowboys have unloaded the December woes from their backs. This eerie similarity goes all the way back to 1992, check this list out below:
1992 DALLAS COWBOYS
– Failed to win a preseason game.
-Beat the defending Super Bowl champs on the road.
-The starting quarterback set a new franchise record for highest completion % in a single season.
-The star wide receiver (who wears 88) enters his 5th year in the NFL and is voted to his 2nd consecutive Pro Bowl (and 2nd of his career).
-The star running back leads the NFL in rushing yards
-The young, dominant center earns his first trip to Pro Bowl.
-Nine different defenders recorded at least 1 interception.
-No defensive players selected to the Pro Bowl.
-Won the NFC East in Week 16- a week before the regular season season finale
-Won their first of three Super Bowls that decade
2014 DALLAS COWBOYS
– Failed to win a preseason game.
-Beat the defending Super Bowl champs on the road.
-The starting quarterback set a new franchise record for highest completion % in a single season.
-The star wide receiver (who wears 88) enters his 5th year in the NFL and is voted to his 2nd consecutive Pro Bowl (and 2nd of his career).
-The star running back leads the NFL in rushing yards
-The young, dominant center earns his first trip to Pro Bowl.
-Nine different defenders recorded at least 1 interception.
-No defensive players selected to the Pro Bowl.
-Won the NFC East in Week 16- a week before the regular season season finale
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This week as we touchback through week 17 in the NFC East the champs make a statement and the Eagles end a really bad streak.
Game: Score: Record:
Dallas 44 12-4
Washington 17 4-12
Scrutinized for playing his starters the whole game, Jason Garrett proved his critics wrong. Why start the big three in Washington, when the game really meant nothing? The last time the Cowboys entered the playoffs as NFC East champs and earned the bye week with a 13-3 record–the Cowboys rested their starters in the final week, Romo spent the week in Cabo and the rest is history as the Giants won three straight road games and beat the undefeated Patriots for the Super Bowl win. Jason Garrett took the risk of injury and played his starters. Dallas Scored on their first five possessions of the game. On back to back plays Cowboys records were broken: Murray surpassed Emmitt Smith with the single-season rushing record, with over 1800 yards for the year. On Bryant’s second touchdown of the game, he scored his 16th touchdown of the season surpassing Irvin and Owens. The Cowboys no name defense with no talent and no ability to stop anyone held their opponents in the final 4 weeks to less than 70 points. Garrets decision to play the starters for the full game will help keep the momentum rolling as they will host the Lions this Sunday at 3:10 p.m. at AT&T Stadium.
Side Note:
The Washington Redskins with another disappointing year must at this point seek not to fire the coach, not to trade for number 1 in the draft, but hold their position and begin to fill in the holes around the players they currently have through the draft. Will Snyder be able to allow this to happen in the beast known as the NFC East?
Game: Score: Record:
Philadelphia 34 10-6
New York 26 6-10
Philadelphia finished what was a disappointing 2014 in New York Sunday. Overcoming the loss of Foles proved to be a difficult task; however, Sanchez actually proved that he can play the quarterback position and be successful. Usually 10-6 affords a team a chance to compete in the playoffs, yet with the dominance in the NFC North this year, the Eagles three losses in December proved to be fatal for their season. The Eagles who strolled into AT&T stadium and handedly defeated the Cowboys, were optimistic in winning the NFC East. As the Eagles reload and retool for next season, expect them to compete and be in the hunt for the divisional crown next season with a different back up quarterback because Sanchez earned the right to compete for a starting job in the NFL.
Side Note:
The Giants finished 6-10 with a definite need to build their offensive line. Tom Coughlin will not be fired as head coach, even though the carousel as already bitten Rex Ryan, Marc Tresman, and Mike Smith. The Giants with the return of Cruz will be a scary team for defenses in the passing game, Odell Beckham Jr is the real deal. Without an offensive line to open up running lanes and passing lanes, then expect another 6-10 or 8-8 season in 2015.
What are your predictions for the playoffs? What teams will end up in the Super Bowl? Will Seattle repeat as champs? Will the Broncos and Patriots face each other to play for a Super bowl chance? What team will be the Cinderella in 2014?
Touchback playoff edition next Tuesday.
on Twitter @jtgoodson
Writer for NFC East/ AL West/ Texas High School Sports A Good Sports Hang: Father, Husband, Teacher, Radio Host Friday Night Live on 99.9 KMOO , P.A. Announcer for Mineola High School.
Coming Soon: Articles for Texas High School Scoreboard and The Lead off: An AL West Commentary.
