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.