No one is talking about this, but...

I think Cowboys nation is still trying to catch its breath from Saturday night's game. For those who were worried that the Cowboys wouldn't be able to make the playoffs, there is a reason to breathe easier today. If the Redskins can find a way to win against the Giants, we can breathe even easier.

There has been a lot of talk about the playoff picture today, especially with Minnesota's surprising loss to the Panthers last night. What are all the analysts saying? They are saying that the Eagles could actually overtake the Vikings for that #2 seed and a first round bye. The Vikings have the Bears next week and finish the season against the Giants. They play the Bears in Chicago, and although the Bears really aren't very good, all three of the Vikings losses have been on the road. I wouldn't say that is a gimme. And then there is the game against the Giants. The Giants are a tough team no matter what. Trust Cowboys fans. WE KNOW.

Why the extra words about Minnesota? Well, analysts, forget about Philadelphia being the #2 seed. Because they are not even the best team in the division. There is still a chance that the Cowboys could get that #2 seed. If they take care of business against the Redskins next week and are able to hold off the Eagles in JerryWorld, they wrap up the NFC East and post a 9-3 record in the NFC. If the Vikings should lose both of their remaining games, they post an 8-4 NFC record.

Who would've thought the Cowboys could be playing for a first round bye? That what posting a quality win in December will do for a team.

Now, celebrating aside, how sad is it for Wade Phillips that the players were talking about their motivation was coming from Tony Dungy saying that they had no chance. I think it is fitting that another head coach (albeit a former one) gives the Cowboys the motivation necessary to win a big game. I hope Jerry was paying attention. Wade jokingly said he hopes Tony gives them no chance against Washington. Maybe he was joking. Or maybe not.

My fear is that a little success is going to save Wade when he deserves to be fired. It is like the Tom Coughlin situation a couple years ago in New York. Early in the 2007 season, the Giants are badly underachieving, and there are rumors that Coughlin might lose his job. His past record had showed some bad showings by teams with supposedly good talent. But near the end of that season, the Giants get just hot enough to get into the playoffs and take the league by storm, knocking off the undefeated Patriots to win the Super Bowl. This year, they started the year 5-0 and have now lost 6 of their last 8. I think the Super Bowl year was a fluke for Tom Coughlin, and if the Cowboys play well in the remainder of this season, even if they should win the Super Bowl, it will be in spite of the head coach. Wade has shown his true colors late in the season already. Any success this year will be the exception rather than the rule, and if they keep him around, they'll be in worse shape next year.

One can always hope that Mike Shanahan doesn't make any hasty decisions with the Redskins. I think he could do wonders in Dallas, perhaps even a super bowl victory NEXT SEASON. They have the talent. They just need a leader in the head coach position. I'm sure Wade is a terrific grandpa, and I'll bet he looks great in a Santa suit, but I don't think he has it in him to have any sort of postseason success year after year.

So what can the Cowboys control? They can win these last two games and play at least one home game. And they can hope that the Vikings and Brett Favre continue their December slide and give the Cowboys a late Christmas present: a first round bye.

Uh oh, It's December...

I don't even have to pay attention to ESPN for Fox Sports this week to know what they are going to be saying: since it's December, the Cowboys are going to lose. As if it's a given. They can't win in December. Now they have tough games at the Saints, at the Redskins, and at home against the Eagles to finish out the season. Most of the analysts will say that the Cowboys are almost certainly out of the playoffs now, that they will be surpassed by the Eagles and the Giants, and that the Packers will also beat them out for a Wild Card spot.

I'm not so sure the Cowboys don't win at New Orleans. It is incredibly difficult to go undefeated in the NFL (just ask every other team than the '72 Dolphins), and the Cowboys haven't been playing that bad. If anything, they should have won last week. In all honesty, I didn't write a blog post after last week's game because I was worried that I'd throw my computer across the room. I'm not quite as upset this week. The Chargers are a good December team, and the Cowboys played them tough. A chronic inability to tackle or play any defense was the key to this Dallas loss. And the last one. And if the Cowboys lose at New Orleans, it won't be because they couldn't run the ball or because Tony Romo doesn't know how to win in big game situations. It will be because the defense doesn't show up. And who does that responsibility fall to?

Wade. Phillips.

That's right, the Mr. Rogers of the football world is soft when it comes to crunch time. And I will be happy to see a real coach in here next year. Even if the Cowboys make the playoffs and win a game once they get there, I don't think there is any way that Wade Phillips is still the coach here next year. Maybe it'll be Jason Garrett. Maybe it'll be Bill Cowher. Any chance we can talk Jimmy into coming back?

So my attitude tonight is one of disappointment and hope. Here's hoping the Eagles hand the Giants their sixth loss. For I fear the only way the Cowboys make the playoffs is if the Giants continue to lose and the Cowboys win 2 of their next three. But don't count the Cowboys out of next week's game. It'll be closer than you think. And I'm predicting a Cowboys win. Sorry, Saints, but the '72 Dolphins will be one step closer to breaking out the champagne.