The Dallas Cowboys have entered their December swoon, and yet I'm not worried. The defense couldn't contain the pass. The offense couldn't punch it in from the one yard line. And off we go to New Orleans, a team that will pass all over you, that will stuff you at the line.
But the Cowboys have a great opportunity. If they can beat the Saints, they keep their playoff hopes alive and stay one game ahead of the Giants. If they can beat the Saints, some of the doubts in December will go away. They face their toughest test on Saturday.
Tony Romo hasn't looked horrible this December: far from it. He hasn't thrown perfectly on every pass, but he's completing the passes he needs to and avoiding turning the ball over. Normally he is part of the problem in December. This time, he could be the solution. Against the Giants he threw for 392 yards, 3 touchdowns and set new records for attempts and completions. Against the Chargers he was less stellar, but still threw for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. Over the past three games his lowest QB rating was 111.7.
This game is essentially a must win for the Cowboys. They still stand a chance if they lose, but the Giants would have to lose at least one and the Cowboys would have to win their last two. The Cowboys have to know that their season is slipping away, and must follow the examples set by the Redskins and the Falcons taking the Saints down to the wire. They must come out strong and keep the Saints defense on their hills. On defense, the pass rush must get to Brees and force him into errant passes. The secondary has given up too many homeruns over the past few games and need to step up now.
We all hope that DeMarcus Ware can join his fellow defenders for the game, but his health comes first. Better he miss this game and continue to play for us in the future than risk further injury by coming back too fast. Still though, the pass rush could use his speed.
Let's see if the Cowboys take these last two losses personally and come out to save their season.
