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February 2008
Categories
Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
Sports Blogs |
In today's pages, columnist Tim Cowlishaw says that a quick exit by Cowboys in the playoffs would rival the Mavs' spring 2007 collapse. And he's right. The last time a No. 1 seed in the NFC bracket went one-and-done was in 1987, when the 49ers fell 36-24 to the Vikings. Minnesota's quarterback that day? Cowboys QB coach Wade Wilson, who found Anthony Carter 10 times for a then-playoff record 227 yards. ESPN's Page 2 ranked it as the 10th greatest playoff upset of all-time, a game in which Bill Walsh benched Joe Montana in favor of Steve Young. That, of course, was in a strike year. The last time it happened in the NFC in a non-strike year, well, I probably shouldn't try to describe that one, since I was still a few weeks shy of my first birthday. That was a 30-27 Dallas win over Atlanta, following the 1980 season. Interestingly enough, these kinds of shockers have become commonplace in the AFC. In six of the last 12 seasons, the No. 1 seed has gone down without winning a playoff game. And, wouldn't you know it, Marty Schottenheimer was on the losing end of three of those. There's little question that Wade Phillips doesn't want to talk much more about that, since the Chargers he coached for -- who had no business losing to the Patriots in the divisional round last year -- are the most recent example. But he's been on the other side of it too, when he was coaching under his dad in Houston in 1979 and the Oilers tripped up the top-seeded, high-flying Chargers. Here's the rundown of all such upsets since the NFL started seeding its playoff teams in 1975: 2006: New England 24, San Diego 21 |
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Comments
Posted by Rodney in Atlanta @ 10:59 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Wasn't that the game where Steve Young made that incredible run for a touchdown?
No way any collapse rivals the Mavericks debacle of last year.
Posted by Rod @ 11:01 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
We could lose, the Pats will likely lose to a surging Jags team in bad weather with an unstoppable run game. No question that makes your little list there Alby. There has to be a sportwriter position on the east coast, that combines with Goose, you guys could man.
Posted by Rod @ 11:01 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
We could lose, the Pats will likely lose to a surging Jags team in bad weather with an unstoppable run game. No question that makes your little list there Alby. There has to be a sportwriter position on the east coast, that combines with Goose, you guys could man.
Posted by JV @ 11:14 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Guys, I have a wierd feeling that the Cowboys will lose their first game. There are too many factors present that can make this team lose focus. Basically, almost every pertinent coaching and front office position within this organization is being courted. We have 3-5 starters returning from injuries. We haven't had a decent offsensive outing in almost a month. The entire starting defense was steamrolled in the last game.
I think it's time we start thinking about the next Carpenter, Ekuban, Q. Carter, etc. that we are going to draft.
Posted by Chris/Denton @ 11:23 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
I agree with Rod on one thing, the Patriots COULD lose to the Jags OR Colts either one and I hope they do.
I'm starting to think that Redskins loss just might have helped the Cowboys players mindset and determination and if Owens is back, I think they'll come out hot in their first playoff game. Short of being on crutches, he plays and his presence alone changes what the defense does and opens up a lot of things.
I see Sparano getting the HC job at Miami (he's a Parcells guy) and Jerry throwing $1.5- 2 mil at Garrett and promoting him to Asst. Head Coach. Then hires Cameron as offensive coordinator (a Wade Phillips guy) and that would be a solid group of coaches in Dallas. JMO
Posted by BlueZone @ 11:37 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Please don't compare the Cowboys to the Mavericks.
This is Dallas Cowboys Football season and they still have three games to go.
The Redskins can swagger into Texas Stadium any way they want, but their swagger will leave on a stretcher.
Also, please take your basketball speak and shovel it to another blog.
Posted by Bill In DC @ 11:55 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
JV,
I felt that way for the first few days after the Washington game, but I no longer do. Here's why.
I think the Cowboys will be wanting to make a statement and to atone for the abysmal game against Washington. They have something to prove and I think they will enter the game looking to floor whomever they play, especially if it's the Deadskins.
Dallas will return those key players to the team and Romo is hyper-competitive and should be completely healthy.
If Dallas comes to play, nobody in the NFC can touch them.
Posted by BigTexKahuna @ 12:17 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Accuse me of living on that river in Egypt... what is it called? Denial?? I got about as far as the 5th paragraph in Cowshitall's piece, and I gave up. Why? 'Cuz I just didn't want to expose my positive outlook with our heroes to his negative hypothetical horror story...
Is it me, or do the DMN sportswriters thrive on trashing their own sports teams. Geeze-leweeze! One would think they all graduated from the Randy Galloway School of Making-up a Bunch of Crap! (I do enjoy some of RG's stuff... at least he can be funny...)
Posted by DJM @ 12:24 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Why are we even having this conversation? With all the good things the Cowboys have done this year why do you insist on bringing them down with this garbage ?
Posted by Not So Crazy Ray @ 12:32 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Why are we talking about a hypothetical loss 10 days before the game? Oh yeah, because much of the DMN staff just likes to cause a stink.
Cowboys players, consider this kind of garbage to be bulletin board material!
Posted by ekim corcho @ 12:40 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
I said it at the start of the season. The cowboys will get beaten the first game they play. They had an easy schedule then Philadelphia kicked their tail followed by washington...How do you do one yard rushing??? Disgusting a high scholl team would have gotten more. Yep wrap it up they will lose.
Posted by Donovan @ 12:57 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
A hypothetical loss by the Boys in the divisional round would come nowhere close in comparison to the Mavs loss in the first round last year. The Mavs were the top team in the entire league, not just the west. They dominated the regular season. The only comparison is if the Patriots lose in the divisional round.
All of this will be moot when the game is played. I think you'll see an entirely different work ethic, game plan (offensive and defensive plan against the Skins was as vanilla as Vanilla Ice, baby), and sense of urgency from the Boys. Whether it be Tampa, Washington, or New York, they won't be able to hang.
Posted by Joe @ 2:00 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Each game stands alone. Previous games mean nothing. Motivation, health, and talent are almost everything in the NFL (yes, luck factors in somewhere). Just as some of our opponents played us better the second time because of a huge motivation edge, so that evens out in the playoffs. It's going to come down to better execution, not motivation, because it's the playoffs.
And Romo still isn't getting the credit he's due. If his thumb is healthy, he will be unstoppable. He played well in his first playoff game last year under the heavy old school brakes of Bill Parcell, which the team says just didn't let them tear Seattle apart like they could have. Romo had an 89 QB rating, 1 TD, no ints, had the team clearly in position to win against a team with a far superior regular season record - on the road. The two fumbles were from waiting for receivers to get open that were working at a huge disadvantage with mediocre play design and line play. That's all gone now.
He's about to nail the legend down, folks, and you better be watching, because this is going to be a defining moment in Cowboys history.
Posted by Valdez @ 2:11 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
If I recall, there was no first round bye week back on those days. I am a believer that the week off to rest, recover and game plan will help Dallas regain their Romomentum and that they will win regardless of the opponent
Posted by Rod @ 2:13 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Gees, before the season ekim corcho said he predicted a 13-3 year and a round 1 playoff loss...oh well, i might as well sell my tickets now. I just wish he would have told the rest of us that didnt benefit from that top rate education at his high "scholl".
Posted by PFP @ 2:39 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
I believe this upcoming playoff game on 1/13/2008 is this the most important game the Cowboys have played in since 1995. This game will determine not only this season's success, but also Wade's coaching legacy, Romo's "choking in the big game reputation" and Jerry Jones's GM credibility. The Cowboys need the fans to actually create a homefield advantage like in the early 90's. The last home playoff game? January 1998.
Posted by Valdez @ 3:51 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Interestingly enough, the #1 seed in the AFC has gone 1 and done each of the past two seasons. Perhaps New England should be more concerned about a first round exit.
Posted by Mr Rogers @ 8:04 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Considering I remember the 1980 Cowboys-Falcons game very vividly and the "Beat Writer" can't, it goes to show how qualified Alby is to write on the Cowboys.
Hey JV, don't worry too much about the next Ekubans and Carters, considering the Miami duet brought you all these ALL-TIME GREATS: Julius Jones, Jacob Rogers, Marcus Spears, Kevin Burnett, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Fasano, Jason Hatcher, and Anthony Spencer. These draft picks make Ekuban and Carter look like "the steal of the draft".
Keep in mind that with Parcells and Ireland in Miami, there will be less spares in the draft for Jerry to "reach" for.
Posted by CMoon @ 9:10 PM Thu, Jan 03, 2008
Fast trip up, faster trip down. Jones just couldn't control his boys in their playpen. Big ego and big mouths and ruined what started out as a great year. Not watching same team we saw earlier this year. Too much ego talking, team work is gone, it's back to me and me and me and me
Posted by Vijay @ 8:51 AM Fri, Jan 04, 2008
Not really Mr. Rogers it just makes you an old man. I guess beat writers have to have remembered every game in history if they are qualified right? So any 107 year olds out there who remember every Bears game so they can cover them? Because Breer can't remember the game (since he's only 28) makes him unqualified? Enjoy being old dude... That sounds like well thought out analysis. Wow you are smart Mr. Rogers!
I will say that I'm a little concerned only because they Cowboys did seem to turn the season off after the GB game. They woke up late but soon enough to win the Lions game but haven't been their dominating self the rest of the way. But of course, if they win two straight games 3-0, it doesn't matter since they'll be in Arizona. I do have a little concern, but it's nice to see that history has been kind to the #1 seed in the NFC over the last 30 years or so. Go Seahawks so we can kill the Giants for a third time!
Posted by Rob T. @ 11:39 AM Fri, Jan 04, 2008
The Cowboys' first-round victory over top-seeded Atlanta in 1980 was no "shocker".
The top seeds in the NFC were very evenly matched that year. Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia were all 12-4. Atlanta was top seed because they beat the Eagles that year, and the Eagles won the division championship and were seeded ahead of the Cowboys because of some very obscure tie-breaker. If Dallas had beaten Philadelphia by a certain number of points in the two teams' regular season-ender in Dallas, then Dallas would have won the division title.
Posted by Ken @ 5:03 PM Fri, Jan 04, 2008
It was those same Mavericks who beat down the Warriors a few nights ago. Mavs were emotionally charged and ready to go. Look for the Cowboys to play the same way next week, especially in a rematch against Redskins.