IRVING — Unlike October when the parade route was planned after a big win against the Bengals, a couple of well-played games in December offers little for the Cowboys these days.
And even though the Cowboys are coming off an impressive victory against the Giants on Sunday, the players themselves this time are applying the asterisk, even if one isn’t necessary.
They didn’t have [starting running back] Brandon Jacobs. They didn’t have [receiver] Plaxico Burress,
defensive end Marcus Spears said. They already had the division; were the Giants really motivated? Were they really themselves?
It’s as if a team that was in denial about its struggles earlier in the season has come full circle and is nowhere near satisfied by winning four of their last five games.
What they are doing now has the look of a team that might be playing as well as any in the NFC, and might finally be getting hot at a time of year when they have repeatedly collapsed.
I’ve been here for almost four years now, and Decembers that I’ve been here, we’ve had a little lull,
linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. We started out fast at the beginning, and then now, we’re starting at the end. That’s how it should be.
Here are five reasons to think the Cowboys are finally getting hot at the right time.
1The defense: The Cowboys’ defense has not had this dominant of a stretch in years. The defense has allowed one offensive touchdown the past three games, allowed one 100-yard rusher the past seven games, and ranks seventh in the NFL. Everybody is doing their job instead of trying to make big plays,
linebacker Zach Thomas said. We’re hot right now and it’s been that way for the last five weeks.
2Humility: There is a lot of evidence to suggest that modesty isn’t a common quality on the team. But nearly everyone on this team has been humbled this season — the 34-14 loss in St. Louis hangs in their collective conscious. You can’t have a cocky mentality,
Spears said. You have to keep a chip on your shoulder.
3Quality vs. quality: It’s one thing to play well and beat up the 49ers and the Seahawks on consecutive weeks at home but another to play well against the Steelers on the road and the Giants. Since Romo returned the Cowboys won a big road game in Washington, and in the past two weeks should have defeated the Steelers and did defeat the NFC-leading Giants.
4The pedal is down: Unlike this time a year ago when the Cowboys had wrapped up the NFC East title and maybe unknowingly hit the cruise control button, there is no sign of any letup, mostly because the Cowboys still have to win to stay in the playoffs. Last year, it was like, 'Just be safe. Don’t get hurt,’
Spears said. Now, we’re playing everybody the same.
5The starting quarterback is playing: Tony Romo does not have the best statistics of his career, but he is playing and for the Cowboys to have a shot he has to at least be there. Since his return from a busted right pinkie the Cowboys are 4-1. That’s not a coincidence.
