The season isn’t over for the Dallas Cowboys. It sure feels like it after two straight heartbreaking, last-second losses, but Dallas still controls its own playoff destiny. Two years ago, the Cowboys were in the exact same situation; all seemed lost, but then Dallas finished the year strong with three straight wins and won the division. That can happen again this year, but it all depends on the players.
In 2009, the Cowboys were 8-3 through 11 games and sitting pretty. However, consecutive losses to the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers knocked Dallas back to 8-5 and it appeared the Cowboys wouldn’t even make the playoffs.
Then the Cowboys traveled to New Orleans and defeated the 13-0 New Orleans Saints, which propelled Dallas to shutout wins over the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC East title. To top it off, the Cowboys won the franchise’s first playoff win in 15 years with another thrashing of the Eagles.
This season is set up exactly the same; with three games left, Dallas must win out to make the playoffs. Also identical is the Cowboys’ remaining schedule – one NFC South team followed by two division rivals.
The Cowboys rose to the occasion in 2009; the players simply regrouped mentally and played better football, especially on defense. That is exactly what needs to happen for the Cowboys to make the playoffs this season as well.
The Cowboys have a serious problem in pass coverage this year and the players are well aware of it. However, they all agree the answer is to simply play better; guys can’t miss coverages on critical plays and all Dallas’ defensive backs must make plays on balls in the air. Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was so angry with his players following Sunday’s loss to the Giants he said he didn’t have an answer for their porous play.
If the Cowboys can begin to play the way head coach Jason Garrett has emphasized, then the playoffs are three weeks away. Although Garrett has made his share of mistakes this season, his message for the team is a good one; do your job one game at a time. That is exactly the mindset this team needs to embody to win out.
If the Cowboys and Giants each win their next two games, their season finale matchup in the Meadowlands will literally be a division championship game. In that aspect, both teams control their own playoff chances. Neither can afford to lose before Week 17, meaning the playoffs start now.
Dallas could have avoided this scenario with a victory on Sunday, but the Cowboys are still in control. The question remains whether the players will embody that mindset through the next three weeks. There’s only one way to find out.
Follow Jeric Griffin on Twitter @JericGriffin
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