Week 16 Recap - Dallas (17) @ Washington (0)

Thanks to Carolina for giving Dallas a late Christmas gift and crushing the Giants 41-9, this meant that a win against Washington would be an automatic ticket to the playoffs.

What did Dallas do with this opportunity?

Well, they took full advantage, dismantled Washington 17-0, secured at least the second wild card position and are on their way to try and win the division with a victory over Philadelphia this upcoming Sunday (the game has been moved to 4:15 b.t.w.)

Things are looking up and the Cowboys are peaking at just the right time. Tony Romo has played some of his best football these past 5 games and completely dissolved the whole 'December' talk... his next goal is to dissolve the 'Big Game' talk by winning a playoff match-up (or 3.)

Regarding the game itself, Dallas was good... not great, but good. Washington is bad... just plain bad, and it showed. Dallas could have had more success on offense, especially a troubling trend that has started with Marion Barber not being able to pick up 1 or 2 yards, but besides that, Dallas was damn good. The defense was phenomenal and made the plays when they needed to. Washington never even got into the red zone.

This next game against Philly could possibly mean division title, home field advantage and a bye week (of course, Minnesota would have to lose outright as well as Arizona losing, or something like that...) Regardless, if Dallas wins they will at least win the division.

The cards have been laid out, now it's just up to the Cowboys to do what they've had trouble doing in the past, take advantage of the situation and win... if they continue their recent trend, it shouldn't be a problem, but I won't feel secure until they actually do. Go Cowboys!!!

P.S.

In other Cowboys (future) News... I just read the 2010 opponents for Dallas, and it's going to be Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville and Tennessee at home (plus either New Orleans, Atlanta or Carolina, depending on next week's games.)

The away games will be Green Bay (ugh) Minnesota, Houston and Indy (plus either Arizona or San Fransisco, again, depending on next week's games.)

I was going to post an early, early, early prediction but I think I'll wait until April when the full schedule and dates are released before I start playing guessing games.