2011 Dallas Cowboys: Another Disappointing Ending

The Dallas Cowboys rang in 2012 with a disappointing loss to the New York Giants 31- 14, which immediately ended their postseason chances. The loss sent the Cowboys to an 8 – 8 record, resulting in third place finish in the NFC East.

Dallas dug a hole that was too big for them to climb out of, going down 21 – 0 at the half.  It was a total team effort in the first half as the offense couldn’t get anything going, the defense couldn’t make key third down stops and the special teams failed to recover a muffed punt by the Giants that would have given Dallas great field position and an opportunity to tie the game at 7. The offense and defense picked it up in the second half but ultimately just didn’t have enough to beat the Giants, who looked a bit more inspired to win this elimination game.

I’ve heard many people try to lay blame at an individual or two but you really can’t fairly do that. I do wonder why they didn’t start the game with the same urgency that they started the second half with.  The Cowboys knew the Giants would have a strong pass rush and that their offensive line was banged up. The three step drops and the no huddle offense should have started from the opening whistle. The defense had some issues all over as they didn’t put enough pressure on Eli Manning, linebackers looked often out of place and the defensive backs failed to play the ball.

In the end, this team didn’t really deserve to make the post season.  The pass that sailed over Miles Austin’s head late in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys – Giants first matchup was actually the wind coming out of the sails of the season. If Tony Romo and Austin would have connected on that play, Dallas would have effectively won the NFC East. But the team melted down and really didn’t recover from it the rest of the season. You also certainly could argue that just a week earlier that the door came of the hinges during “ice my kicker gate” in Arizona. But I tend to put more emphasis on the division games and the Cowboys were 2 – 4 (beat Redskins twice, lost all four against Eagles & Giants) in the NFC East; just not good enough.

Dallas will continue to get criticized in the media for their lack of toughness, leadership etc and some of it is deserved. I don't think it is as cut and dry as critics make it but there is something intangible missing here!!! There have been coaching changes and players moved with basically the same results, so some believe it is one of two constants: Jerry Jones or Romo. I don't think it is either. Whatever it is, the team needs to make it a priority to figure it out. If they don't, America's Team will continue to mire in mediocrity.
 

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champs!!!

Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers! They are now the reigning champions of the NFL after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 - 25 in Super Bowl XLV. The Packers jumped out to a 14 - 0 lead early and even though they were tested throughout the game, they never gave that lead up. Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers was mostly sharp in this game as he continued his hot streak through the playoffs. Rodgers threw for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns; he also had a bunch of dropped passes from his receivers that might have made this game a blowout. The Packers was able to overcome some key injuries in the game, most notably losing their defensive leader CB Charles Woodson right before halftime. But we should not be surprised that they kept the train moving because that is what the team has done all season. I don't ever recall seeing a team win a Super Bowl after losing as many key personnel as the Packers did this season. Kudos to their front office, coaching staff and backup players for illustrating the meaning of the word "team".

The Steelers have to be kicking themselves and will find it hard to get over this loss. The most obvious reason for them going home without the Lombardi Trophy is turnovers. They had a total of three; two in particular that were killers was QB Ben Roethlisberger's first interception which was a floater returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Packers S Nick Collins and RB Rashard Mendenhall's fumble at the start of the 4th quarter when the Steelers had momentum and was driving to take the lead. What was less obvious but more influential to the final outcome was the inexplicable playcalling by the Steelers. The Packers could NOT stop the Steelers running attack. After the Steelers grabbed the momentum in the game in the 3rd quarter, they were close enough on the scoreboard to go to their smashmouth, running assault. But they didn't; they continued to pass the football. The Steelers averaged nearly 5.5 yards per carry but only rushed 23 times (4 of those were Roethlisberger scrambles). And the "eye test" clearly showed a Packers defense that was incapable of stopping any of the Steelers' ball carriers, particularly Mendenhall. I really think this oversight killed their championship chances.

Fans and spectators have to be happy that they got to see a great Super Bowl game. This came after a week that the Dallas Metroplex area will probably not live down anytime soon. Most of the issues in the hosting city area were weather related (snow & cold temperatures) which was out of everyone's hands, especially this snow riddled winter. But the snafu that occured a couple of hours before the game, where it was reported that 1250 temporary seats were not ready to be occupied by paid fans, may be one of the worst transgressions ever to take place at a Super Bowl. The league announced that about 850 of those folks were relocated to similiar or better seats but the other 400 were left without a seat and they were given the option to stand inside the stadium and watch the game from monitors. The NFL will compensate those folks by paying them triple the face value amount of their tickets. It will be interesting to hear exactly what happened and why were those seats not ready to be used on the day of the Super Bowl.

I am happy that the Packers and the Steelers gave everyone an exciting game to the end. I would like to congratulate the Packers again for winning their fourth Super Bowl in team history. And they should send Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles a playoff/Super Bowl cut as well. You see, if the Eagles had not made the miraculous comeback (28 points in last 7 minutes of the game) against the New York Giants in Week 15, the Packers would not have had the opportunity to play their way into the playoffs by winning their last two games. That NFC sixth seed was the Giants spot; the Pack may want to give a cut to the Giants defense and special teams as well! But that is to take nothing at all away from the Packers themselves. They won their last two regular season games and four playoff games to wrap up the title. Their hard work, perseverance and teamwork is to be commended and emulated. Enjoy your victory Green Bay, it's well deserved!!