IRVING — Dez Bryant kept shouting the same phrase over and over as he walked off the field and up the tunnel to the Cowboys locker room after a humiliating loss to Philadelphia.
“Two weeks,” he yelled. “Two weeks.”
That’s when the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles meet again.
Bryant and his teammates desperately want to atone for a 33-10 Thanksgiving loss that left owner Jerry Jones and others questioning their passion. This team knows if it doesn’t win the rematch on Dec. 14 in front of the subdued and respectful fans of Philadelphia it can kiss the division title goodbye.
But there’s one piece of business to handle first.
“If we go up to Chicago and lose it isn’t going to matter,” cornerback Orlando Scandrick pointed out.
Now that the Cowboys (8-4) trail the Eagles by a game in the NFC East, now that they are on the outside looking in at the wild-card race because they have a worse conference record than Detroit and Seattle, there’s no room for error. The Cowboys can’t afford to lose to the Bears and drop another conference game.
Philadelphia hosts the Seahawks next week. The Eagles can afford to lose and still retain an edge over the Cowboys.
Next week’s outcome isn’t make-or-break for the Eagles. Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly will probably avoid mentioning that to his team since it isn’t much of a rallying cry.
The sense of urgency is much greater for the Cowboys. The only realistic shot to win the division is to take the next two games while the Eagles stumble. The Cowboys can’t rely on an assist from Washington or the New York Giants — the Eagles’ opponents in the final two games — to claim the division crown.
These are scenarios coach Jason Garrett never discusses with his team. The focus is much narrower.
“One of the best things this team has done is gone from week to week,” Garrett said.
Garrett doesn’t want his team looking forward or back. Reflecting too much on Thursday’s debacle or the nature of how this record has been built could foster doubts.
The Cowboys’ four losses have come by an average of 12 points. The team has played four opponents with a winning record and gone 1-3.
Dallas is 7-1 against teams with a losing record. This is encouraging news for upcoming games with Chicago and Washington, but not so much for the rematch with the Eagles or game with Indianapolis.
By the way, you may remember that the one loss to a team below .500 was to Washington.
Dwell on the past, and the Cowboys would be hit with the reality that they have turned what could have been a special season into a good one with an inability to win at home.
This team finds itself chasing the Eagles because it hasn’t won at AT&T Stadium in 41 days.
“I haven’t sat back and evaluated it like that,” quarterback Tony Romo said of losing three consecutive games at home. “Some of the home games are against very good teams.
“That is usually a good analysis of that sometimes.”
Usually. Jones has come to the same conclusion. Scandrick said the Cowboys must start to respect their home field, but since the team has only one game left at AT&T Stadium there are more pressing issues.
An offense held to its lowest point total in more than two years must recapture its swagger. A defense that has allowed an average of 30.5 points and 440.5 yards in the last two games must regain its competitive fire.
“I feel like we can get it back for sure,” safety Barry Church said. “It’s simple things, very correctable mistakes. We just have to tackle better. We have to stay in our gaps.”
There’s a lot to correct on both sides of the ball before the Cowboys travel to Chicago in four days. Win that, and then the team can start talking about the rematch with Philadelphia.
“I’m not really mad at all,” Bryant said after the game. “They beat us. I’m going to accept that and I’m not trying to look past Chicago. But I can’t wait to go up there and play them again.
“Can’t wait.”
“Two weeks,” he yelled. “Two weeks.”
That’s when the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles meet again.
Bryant and his teammates desperately want to atone for a 33-10 Thanksgiving loss that left owner Jerry Jones and others questioning their passion. This team knows if it doesn’t win the rematch on Dec. 14 in front of the subdued and respectful fans of Philadelphia it can kiss the division title goodbye.
But there’s one piece of business to handle first.
“If we go up to Chicago and lose it isn’t going to matter,” cornerback Orlando Scandrick pointed out.
Now that the Cowboys (8-4) trail the Eagles by a game in the NFC East, now that they are on the outside looking in at the wild-card race because they have a worse conference record than Detroit and Seattle, there’s no room for error. The Cowboys can’t afford to lose to the Bears and drop another conference game.
Philadelphia hosts the Seahawks next week. The Eagles can afford to lose and still retain an edge over the Cowboys.
Next week’s outcome isn’t make-or-break for the Eagles. Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly will probably avoid mentioning that to his team since it isn’t much of a rallying cry.
The sense of urgency is much greater for the Cowboys. The only realistic shot to win the division is to take the next two games while the Eagles stumble. The Cowboys can’t rely on an assist from Washington or the New York Giants — the Eagles’ opponents in the final two games — to claim the division crown.
These are scenarios coach Jason Garrett never discusses with his team. The focus is much narrower.
“One of the best things this team has done is gone from week to week,” Garrett said.
Garrett doesn’t want his team looking forward or back. Reflecting too much on Thursday’s debacle or the nature of how this record has been built could foster doubts.
The Cowboys’ four losses have come by an average of 12 points. The team has played four opponents with a winning record and gone 1-3.
Dallas is 7-1 against teams with a losing record. This is encouraging news for upcoming games with Chicago and Washington, but not so much for the rematch with the Eagles or game with Indianapolis.
By the way, you may remember that the one loss to a team below .500 was to Washington.
Dwell on the past, and the Cowboys would be hit with the reality that they have turned what could have been a special season into a good one with an inability to win at home.
This team finds itself chasing the Eagles because it hasn’t won at AT&T Stadium in 41 days.
“I haven’t sat back and evaluated it like that,” quarterback Tony Romo said of losing three consecutive games at home. “Some of the home games are against very good teams.
“That is usually a good analysis of that sometimes.”
Usually. Jones has come to the same conclusion. Scandrick said the Cowboys must start to respect their home field, but since the team has only one game left at AT&T Stadium there are more pressing issues.
An offense held to its lowest point total in more than two years must recapture its swagger. A defense that has allowed an average of 30.5 points and 440.5 yards in the last two games must regain its competitive fire.
“I feel like we can get it back for sure,” safety Barry Church said. “It’s simple things, very correctable mistakes. We just have to tackle better. We have to stay in our gaps.”
There’s a lot to correct on both sides of the ball before the Cowboys travel to Chicago in four days. Win that, and then the team can start talking about the rematch with Philadelphia.
“I’m not really mad at all,” Bryant said after the game. “They beat us. I’m going to accept that and I’m not trying to look past Chicago. But I can’t wait to go up there and play them again.
“Can’t wait.”
