The Underestimated

Whenever I think back to this past Sunday’s game against the Vikings, everything just seems blurred.  Although the final score read 34-3, I just can’t imagine how things got out of control so quickly.  The Cowboys were moving the ball well and playing pretty well on defense initially.  Then suddenly, they were getting stampeded.  Not by Adrian Peterson.  Not even by Chester Taylor.  They weren’t even being mauled by Minnesota’s Pro Bowl laden offensive line.  So what the hell happened?!  Well in review, it was a lot of things but at the same time it was one thing:  respect.  The Cowboys underestimated and undervalued players on the Vikings and players on their own team.  They underestimated the effect of a home field advantage in Minnesota.  They also under estimated the amount of desperation that needs to be displayed in every playoff game.  Somewhere between beating the Eagles twice and getting demolished by the Vikings, the Cowboys forgot that they were playing the one of the top 2 teams in the conference.

The Cowboys had to hear all of the media hype about how they were the hottest team in the NFC and that Minnesota was having all of these internal problems.  So they assumed (as did I) that they were equal to Minnesota and all they had to do was play their game.  If the game was played in Cowboys stadium that would have been true, but as Vishante Shiancoe so eloquently stated, “That's the suburbs down there. This is the 'hood. The Cowboys had a solid game plan going in, but they couldn’t adjust to the fierce pass rush and the loud stadium in crucial situations.  And the fact that Wade Phillips ultimately put more trust in Shaun Suisham  than his offense was a dismal sign for the Cowboys.  There were a ton of things that went wrong in this game but here are some of the key underestimations that the Cowboys made: 

1. Sidney Rice

I’m not going to go so far as to say the Cowboys didn’t think he was good, but it’s clear that the Cowboys didn’t give him the respect he deserved.  They loaded the box to shut down A.P. but just couldn’t get a grasp of Rice.  All 3 of Rice’s TDs came on plays in which he wasn’t covered by Terrance Newman (whatever that means).  On the first score he was covered one on one by Gerald Sensebaugh and I think we all know what happened on that one (or do we? )The next one he was completely uncovered because he threw a block initially and then snuck down the middle of the field unbeknownst to the Cowboy defenders.  The last TD, Mike Jenkins just couldn’t make the play and gambled for the knockdown, allowing Rice to walk into the end-zone.  I’m not saying you have to double team this guy, but you know the Vikings have vertical threats and it makes sense to have safety help over the top at least.  Geez!

1. Brett Favre

Adrian Peterson may have been the most dominant player on this team at the beginning of the season but anyone watching the Vikings over the last half of the season is well aware that this is Brett Favre’s team.  The Cowboys applied good pressure initially, but the offenses inability to convert and the lack of respect for Minnesota’s receiving threats ultimately doomed the ‘Boys.

1. Ray Edwards

With all the concern over the Williams’ Wall and Jared Allen, Ray Edwards appeared to slip through the cracks on the Cowboys’ scouting report.  He was simply too quick and too explosive for a hobbled Mark Columbo which begs the question, why in the world did the Cowboys not give Doug Free a shot after that first series.  I thought it was pretty evident that Columbo was struggling with Edwards, but they chose to stick with him.  Then Flozelle got hurt and they had to stick Free in at left tackle.  Edwards abused the Cowboys front line to the tune of 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.  He absolutely set the tone for his defense.

Although it is tough to rehash the things that broke down for the Cowboys, it is a necessary look into what is needed to make it to the next level.  Although this was a season that many fans can look at with some pride, there are still some key issues that need to be addressed if the Cowboys want to continue their assension to the top of the NFC.  Check back tomorrow to find out what the ‘Boys need to do in the offseason.  Until then…

Later Nation.