Cowboys’ failures, NFL power rankings, playoff picture and more
The Dallas Cowboys played the New England Patriots close, but coaching errors in multiple areas cost them a crucial win in Foxborough.
Jerry Jones is pissed.
Jones, the Dallas Cowboys’ owner and general manager, didn’t mince words following Sunday’s 13-9 loss to the New England Patriots. In the bowels of Gillette Stadium, Jones spoke to reporters about his team being outcoached. He talked about the Cowboys playing poorly in two phases, with only the defense doing its job.
Jones is right. Dallas has ample talent across the roster. Yet the Cowboys are 6-5 and clinging to playoff life in the hideous NFC East.
Against New England in a driving rainstorm, the Cowboys made myriad errors. There was a blocked punt. An interception. The decision to kick a field goal with six minutes remaining on 4th and 7 from the Patriots’ 11-yard line trailing 13-6.
In total, New England had three scoring drives. They totaled 53 yards.
GOING DEEP: Pats’ offense isn’t good enough for January
Jones wants to see marquee wins. He wants to see another Super Bowl, something Dallas hasn’t played in since the 1995 season. The Cowboys have an MVP candidate at quarterback, a top-flight offensive line, the league’s best running back and a loaded defense. Still, none of it has been enough for Garrett to fashion a legitimate contender.
The Cowboys haven’t beaten any team above .500. The combined records of those opponents? 16-49-1. Not exactly screaming January world-beater.
For a decade, Cowboys fans have voiced their concerns regarding Garrett. Jones has publicly defended him at every turn. His words in Foxborough were a sharp departure, ironically on a day where reports broke about the New York Giants’ interest in Garrett as a potential successor to Pat Shurmur.
Many in the NFL have long believed Jones would keep Garrett until Sean Payton was ready to leave New Orleans. However, at 77 years old and with no guarantee Payton will bolt the Bayou anytime soon, perhaps Jones is changing course.
The broadcast of Sunday’s game should also be noted. Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was on the call for FOX, and Aikman repeatedly and sharply criticized Garrett’s decision-making. No owner is closer to his former stars, so Aikman taking Garrett to task on national television won’t be lost on Jones.
Losing to the Patriots — especially on the road — isn’t a sin. New England is 10-1 despite its anemic offense, and almost never loses in its own building. For Jones, one imagines it was the fashion in how Dallas lost.
The Cowboys throttled Tom Brady and held New England’s ground game to 101 yards on 3.7 yards per attempt. All told, the team statistics were almost identical. The difference was in the details, the ability to manage the small moments which in close games, become large ones.
Jones loves to be the kingpin. He’s the NFL’s maverick. Example? At the league’s Scouting Combine, Jones rides around in a massive bus emblazoned with the Cowboys’ star. What has gone on within it is the stuff of legend. While most league personnel, reporters and agents mingle at the steakhouse Prime 47, it’s Jones who rents out space on the floor, roping off his party with a private bar.
You can’t help but notice, and that’s the point.
Jones has been patient. He’s waited. He’s not getting results.
Jones is pissed. Garrett should be worried.
Power rankings
Top 10 players who came before their time
1. Don Hutson, WR, Green Bay Packers
2. Sammy Baugh, QB, Washington Redskins
3. Roger Craig, RB, San Francisco 49ers
4. Joe Namath, QB, New York Jets
5. Deacon Jones, DE, Los Angeles Rams
6. Lenny Moore, RB, Baltimore Colts
7. Randall Cunningham, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Lance Alworth, WR, San Diego Chargers
9. Mel Blount, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Bob Hayes, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Quotable
"“We just got our ass beat, honestly.”"
– Denver Broncos receiver Tim Patrick after losing 20-3 to the Buffalo Bills
The Broncos were a trendy upset pick heading to Buffalo, only to lose soundly. Denver did nothing offensively, scoring three points. Brandon Allen was ghastly, completing 10-of-25 attempts for 82 yards and an interception.
If Drew Lock is healthy, it’s time. Lock needs a five-game showcase to help general manager John Elway understand whether the Broncos should be considering a first-round quarterback come April.
It’s another lost season for the Broncos, but if Lock shows something, at least there’s hope.
Podcast
Random stat
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick rushed for a signal-caller record 1,039 yards in 2006. This year, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is on pace for 1,250 yards, shattering Vick’s mark.
When Vick accomplished his feat, he finished 21st in individual rushing. Jackson ranks 11th.
Info learned this week
1. The 49ers have a gauntlet ahead, but the Packers win is a warning shot
San Francisco put an ass-whipping on the Packers for all of America to see.
If there’s any doubt whether the 49ers are a real contender, Sunday night should have laid those concerns to rest. San Francisco dominated a rested Green Bay team, which coming off the bye amassed only 198 total yards despite more than 35 minutes of possession. Aaron Rodgers was held to 3.2 yards per attempt, the worst mark of his Hall of Fame career.
While the 37-8 victory was an emphatic statement, the 49ers have no time to rest. San Francisco has the hardest remaining schedule in football. Next week, the Ravens on the road. After that, the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome, who might be playing for the first seed in the NFC. Over the final three weeks, dates with the Seattle Seahawks and Rams. Not easy.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh have the Niners operating at peak efficiency going into the final month of the regular season. They’ll need to maintain that level.
2. AFC wild card race promises high drama in final month
The AFC playoff picture in two sentences:
The current division leaders — New England, Baltimore, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs — will likely remain so after Week 17. The Buffalo Bills are a terrific bet for a wild card slot at 8-3, and nobody has any idea about the sixth spot.
Going into Week 13, it’s the Steelers clinging to the No. 6 seed after surviving the winless Cincinnati Bengals. At 6-5, Pittsburgh is tied with the Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, the latter of which thrashed the Jacksonville Jaguars behind the resurgent Ryan Tannehill. The Cleveland Browns are also in the mix after winning three straight, sitting at 5-6.
Who emerges from that group over the final month? Anybody’s guess.
It should be noted Pittsburgh has the easiest schedule. The only above-.500 teams on its docket are Baltimore and Buffalo, with the Bills at home. The Titans have the hardest, playing the Saints, Colts and Texans twice.
3. Winston has most Winston-esque game imaginable; making Bucs’ decisions tough
Jameis Winston threw three touchdowns on Sunday. He also tossed another two interceptions.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Falcons, largely through the passing game. Winston totaled 313 passing yards in the 35-22 victory, elevating Tampa Bay to 4-7. With five games left in his rookie deal, Winston has authored a maddening campaign. He’s thrown for 3,391 yards with 22 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
In short, the big plays are there. So are the back-breakers.
General manager Jason Licht drafted Winston and signed a five-year extension prior to the season. Before the season, Licht remained resolute in Winston being the right man to move forward with. With renewed security, it’ll be interesting to see if his stance has changed or been emboldened.
There will be hundreds of personnel decisions coming this winter. Winston’s is the most fascinating.
4. Keep an eye on the Giants, Redskins as power teams in 2020 draft
The Bengals are 0-11 and cruising for the top pick in April’s draft. Yet the Redskins and Giants are the teams worth watching.
After beating the Detroit Lions for their second win of the season, the Redskins are 2-9 and currently fourth in the selection order behind Cincinnati, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. Cincinnati will select a quarterback at No. 1 overall, barring a major upset. The Dolphins are in the same position regardless of their slot.
This leaves Washington or New York to either select Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young or trade the choice. Young is a generational pass-rushing talent, so convincing the Redskins or Giants to move out of the spot would require a bounty.
Considering the quarterback class is expected to be strong (and we know QBs are always pushed up the board), needy teams outside the top five such as the Chargers might be willing to deal multiple first-round picks to swap positions with either team.
The Redskins and Giants are likely out of the running for No. 1, but each remain in play for a power move.
5. Ravens, Rams playing for plenty on Monday night
Baltimore is the hottest team in football. Now the Rams try and slow it down.
For the Ravens, a victory keeps them within a game of New England and home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs. The Patriots have a tough schedule ahead with Houston and Kansas City over the next two weeks, giving Lamar Jackson and Co. real hope of hosting throughout.
However, this game means far more to Los Angeles. The Rams are 6-4 and trying desperately to gain in the NFC wild card picture. The Minnesota Vikings are idle, so a win by Los Angeles moves it to within a game of Mike Zimmer’s team. Minnesota also plays the Seahawks this week, while the Rams draw the Arizona Cardinals.
If things break right, Los Angeles could be all square going into the final four games.
History lesson
The Browns and Dolphins played a forgettable game on Sunday. Twenty-six years ago, that wasn’t the case.
At old Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Dan Marino dropped back and then … dropped. Marino tore his Achilles tendon, putting him out for the season. Marino returned the following year and threw for 4,453 yards and 30 touchdowns, astronomical numbers for the time.
Still, the injury wrecked Miami’s last hope of winning a Super Bowl with Marino and head coach Don Shula. The Dolphins were 9-2 and on track for home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs before the Marino injury finally caught up with them, dropping five straight and missing the playoffs entirely.
Parting shot
I’m a traditionalist.
Ham on Christmas. Turkey on Thanksgiving. Fireworks on July 4th. Have to have it or everything feels weird.
I’m ready to break tradition. Stop letting the Lions host Thanksgiving.
One of my favorite readers — sorry, Horse — might be annoyed at this suggestion, but it’s time. The Lions have rarely been a contender since the 1950s, and certainly haven’t been worth watching most years in the post-Barry Sanders era. If you’re excited for the Lions and Bears — Jeff Driskel and Mitchell Trubisky say hello — on Thursday afternoon, you may need to seek help.
The NFL always attempts to put attractive games in primetime slots. It should do so on Thanksgiving. With the NBA and NHL not playing, commissioner Roger Goodell must prioritize the viewers, not traditions. If the Cowboys were largely terrible for the last 50 years, this would be about them as well.
There’s no foolproof plan. The NFL could put a three-game slate together which looks great in April and terrible by November. It’s possible, but at least the attempt was made.
Instead, it’s the Lions again. Enjoy the turkey.