Posted on 12/22/2005 4:26:05 AM PST by Perdogg
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- A miserable month of games has taken the Dallas Cowboys from the division lead to wild-card outsiders. From a 7-3 record to having to win their last two games for a chance to make the playoffs.
"You know if you don't do something in a big hurry, it's all going to slip away," center Al Johnson said Wednesday. "We need to do something about it to make it stop. We got ourselves in it. We've got to get ourselves out of it."
By losing three of their last four games, the Cowboys (8-6) have left themselves no more room for error. They've got to start with a win Saturday at NFC South-leading Carolina (10-4), which itself hasn't clinched a playoff spot yet.
"We hate that we squandered off a great chance that we had," defensive back Aaron Glenn said. "The thing is, once you're in, you're in and it doesn't matter how we get in. ... The fact is, we still have a chance to get in."
After the Panthers, Dallas ends the regular season at home against the St. Louis Rams on New Year's Day.
The last time Dallas played Carolina was in the 2003 NFC wild-card round, a 29-10 loss that ended coach Bill Parcells' first season. That was the third first-round playoff elimination for the Cowboys since the 1996 season, a year after their last Super Bowl.
That playoff loss to the Panthers came six weeks after a regular-season victory over Carolina, the Cowboys' eighth win in 2003, which prompted an emotional proclamation from Parcells that they couldn't be called losers anymore.
But they went 6-10 last season, and have let all the momentum of their strong start this year slip away. Even in their lone win over the past month, Kansas City missed a field goal on the final play of the game that would have forced overtime.
Asked Wednesday if, after his 10-win Dallas debut season, he thought it would take this long to get back into position of possibly going back to the playoffs, Parcells was somewhat evasive.
"How do I know? I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know," Parcells said. "I know we have a better team now than when I came here. I know that. So, that's what I know."
His assessment obviously isn't based on the last month, which included Sunday's 35-7 loss at Washington (8-6). That was the most lopsided loss ever against the Redskins, who with a season sweep own a vital tiebreaker over the Cowboys should they end with the same record.
"It should have never happened," defensive end Greg Ellis said. "When you're 7-3, you don't imagine that you're going to lose as many games as we have. We need to get it back on track. It's a now-or-never thing."
At 7-3, the Cowboys were tied with the Giants for the NFC East lead, having already won a game against New York. They remained even after both lost 24-21 in overtime on Thanksgiving weekend, the Cowboys to Denver and the Giants in Seattle, before playing each other.
The Giants (10-4), who also haven't clinched a playoff spot, took control of the NFC East and started its current three-game winning streak with a 17-10 win over Dallas on Dec. 4.
"It is disappointing, to let these games slip down the stretch. That's when you have to play your best football," tight end Jason Witten said. "But to be in a situation, where we've still got a chance, that gives us a little bit of hope. ... If we can win those, we've still got a good chance."
Updated on Thursday, Dec 22, 2005 3:23 am EST
Marco Rivera is listed as questionable.
Skin's took their scalps dude.
ping
It'll be tough for them to come out of Carolina with a win but they have to.
FYI..I look for the JIants to lose their next two.... All NY will go beserk..
It's good for the 'Boys that the other teams fighting for that final spot also have tough games coming up.
Losing at Washington wouldn't suprise anyone but if they lost to Oakland then NY would lose it.
My Skins kicked a**. I dont get to see them much out here, so its great to see them on national tv;especially when they are kicking the Cowboys butts..
Unlike Dallas, the Giants have a DL.
I think Washington will beat NY. If the D that showed up against the Cowboys shows up against the Giants, Gibbs and company are going to the playoffs..
That's exactly why they're gonna lose...the pressure..
The Skins play tough on that grass... but both teams are still shadows of what they were once.
They're hot right now.
And unlike KC the Reskins can actually tackle.
My Boys' have squandered too many chances this year. Most of their games have been totally exciting but, I don't know if my heart can take too many more!
Looks the Pats are warming up..
Too many mediocre players. Read their roster and most players are nobodys.
Too many players like Keyshawn Johnson, Dud Bledsoe, and Larry Allen who made the Pro Bowl on reputation only, who are paid like superstars and perform like has beens.
Too many players lost to injuries.
Too many bad drafts, bad trades, and bad contracts by an egotistical owner who is a poor GM.
Too many teams would rather beat daBoys than anyone else.
Too many hurdles because of the **lets make the draft, money caps, and other rules so that everyone is 8-8 at the end of the season** for a mediocre team with a bad out of touch GM who is a ledgend only in his own mind to overcome.
I hate it for Roy Williams and Parcells who has probably done about as well as anyone working for Jones.
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