Monday, October 5, 2009

Still Upset... Looking Ahead

OK, let's take a step back and look at the situation the Cowboys are in. The record is now 2-2, they won two games against teams with losing records and lost two games against teams that are undefeated. If you put it that way, it doesn't sound as bad... but it still is.

The next step that has to be taken is to win games that you should win, as well as win games that you aren't supposed to win. That's the mark of a championship team, and that's not what this team is right now.

Next week, Dallas travels to Kansas City to face a team that falls into the 'losing record' category with zero wins thus far. This is one of those games that should be a win, there's no doubt about it. If this game is a loss, there may be no way to steer this ship clear of the iceberg.

Following the Kansas City game is a much needed bye week. Felix Jones and Gerald Sensabaugh (who will miss 1-2 weeks from a broken thumb he sustained against Denver,) are both expected to return after the bye. Marion Barber should also be much more healthy after an extra week of rehab.

Fingers are crossed that this coaching staff can turn things around and get this offense productive again. Every second from the clock reaching 00:00 in Kansas City until the kick off against Atlanta, these players need to be studying and practicing and these coaches need to demand excellence and press them a little.

Realistically looking at the upcoming schedule and I can see this team going 8-8, if they're lucky. That's going to be tough enough and would mean wins against Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland, both Washington games and one of the Philly games. They will be hard-pressed to win against Atlanta, Philly, Green Bay, the Giants again, San Diego and New Orleans.

Division games are the key, however. They are already a game down with the Giants loss, but if they can sweep Washington, and win one of the Philly games, maybe even the final Giants game (which would be a huge win,) then they still have a shot.

In Conclusion, I honestly don't have a good feeling about the rest of this season. As I watch this team, I feel that it is unlikely they will be able to pull it together in time... there are only so many games in the NFL, and if they are having this many problems this early, (and I'm talking about problems that should have been solved in Training Camp like penalties, poor tackling and mental mistakes,) then this team will continue their downward spiral, heading straight to another early off-season.

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