Cowboys Officially Eliminated from Playoffs

"Officially eliminated": all that means is that what Cowboys fans, and the rest of the football world, have known since about Week 4 is now a reality. A team that was supposed to play the Super Bowl at "Jerry World" has woefully underachieved and can do no better than 8-8.

Despite the disappointment of the season, the last five weeks have at least given us fans some hope of better things next year. Of course, thats what I thought after the run they made at the end of last season to make it to the Divisional round of the playoffs before being dismantled by the Vikings. But, as with all true fans, hope springs eternal I suppose.

The team has certainly looked better under Jason Garrett. The offense has put together some nice performances, and you at least get the sense that they are trying. They have been competitive in every game under Garrett, playing against some formidable opponents while doing so (Giants, Saints, Colts, and Eagles).

The one thing that has not changed under Garrett is the defensive performance. The defense simply cannot make a big play when it needs to. The secondary is constantly getting beat (Mike Jenkins I am looking at you) and they are routinely out of position (Sensabaugh and Scandrick I am looking at you) Take a look at the games against the Saints, Colts, and Eagles. In each game, if the defense makes a stop in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the Cowboys might win. In each game, the defense made no such stop. I know the Cowboys beat the Colts, but it required overtime, after the defense surrendered a game-tying drive to Peyton and Reggie Wayne. I know Roy Williams fumbled against the Saints, but the defense gave up an 89 yard TD drive to the Saints after the fumble. And yes, I know they were already losing to the Eagles, but the offense had just marched in for a TD to make it a three point game, and the defense could not make a stop to get them the ball back.

It is a team game, and unlike Rex Ryan I am not going to blame everything on the defense, but given the performance of the 'Boys over the last several weeks, Jerry Jones may have his head coach in Jason Garrett, so perhaps he should focus on the search for a new defensive coordinator. I hear Wade Phillips is available.