- Strange as it sounds, I think the Cowboys played as well today as they did in last week’s shutout loss to the Colts. Obvious difference? Buccaneers were more than willing participants in helping Dallas raise the NFC East banner. The Cowboys had 10 penalties. Only 232 yards of offense. More failure in the red zone. But Tampa negated it all with two fumbles that set up 14 points. Thank you, Yuckaneers.
- Looking forward, the Cowboys cannot risk injury to Dak Prescott or Zeke Elliott in next week’s meaningless finale at the Giants. Get in sync on the practice field, but it’s not worth it in a game. Remember how conservative the Cowboys were in the preseason? Zeke didn’t have one carry; Dak threw only 18 passes. Considering the drastic drop-offs – Cooper Rush and Rod Smith – Nos. 4 and 21 should be on the sideline next week.
- Great day for the Cowboys means a horrible day for the Raiders. Though Amari Cooper had only four catches for 20 yards on five targets, the Cowboys’ clinching the division means Oakland’s first-round draft acquired in the trade won’t be in the top 20 of the 2019 NFL Draft. For the Cowboys, the trade is an undeniable win-win.
- I prefer dynasties. Monumental teams doing historic things. But parity keeps all NFL fans interested. Case in point, the NFC East hasn’t had a repeated champion since 2004. That’s right, a new division champ every season for 14 consecutive seasons.
- On an otherwise sluggish offensive day, most promising sign was the reemergence of Cole Beasley. He only caught five passes for 50 yards, but we get the feeling Beasley gets open in the slot every game. Good to know Prescott found a way to recognize it, too.
- Jerry Jones has had his share of draft-day misses. Jury, for example, still out on Taco Charlton. But the owner had to be smiling extra toothy in the first quarter when a couple of his gambles combined for a defensive touchdown. Second-round pick Randy Gregory and his pot background produced a strip sack, which second-round pick Jaylon Smith and his rehabbed leg returned 69 yards for a touchdown.
- A pass to Noah Brown? A fancy-pants forward pitch to Cooper? Part of the Cowboys’ red zone impotence is due to play-calling that gets unnecessarily cute near the goal line. You have Elliott. You have Prescott. You have a good offensive line. Guaranteed the Bucs were breathing a sigh of relief that Dallas didn’t just repeatedly pound the ball inside the 5. Into January, the Cowboys’ identity needs to be a running team that can’t be stopped in short yardage, or in the red zone.
- These days we overuse “thoughts and prayers,” but let’s float a couple up for Tyrone Crawford. Such a harmless-looking collision, but him taken off the field on a stretcher is a reminder of how quickly a career – and a life – can be altered on any given play in this violent sport. From all indications, Crawford has use of his extremities, is home from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Whew.
- We could criticize the Cowboys for a sloppy performance against an inferior opponent and all but backing in to the playoffs. Or we could commend them for overcoming a 3-5 start to win their third division championship in five years. It’s Christmas, let’s go with the latter.
- Rangers win the AL West and they commence a champagne-soaked dogpile in the infield. Players leap into each other’s arms. Gloves and hats are given celebratory tosses into the air. Cowboys win the NFC East and they … calmly exchange smile-soaked handshakes. Players donned NFC East division champs hats and defensive lineman Antwuan Woods said he’ll drink a glass of Hennessy later. But other than that, football is just so much more chill than America’s pastime.
