Parcells says loss won't kill Cowboys
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
History says an 0-2 start isn't a death sentence in the NFL.
Since 1990, 17 teams have lost their first two games and still qualified for the postseason. Three of those teams even reached the Super Bowl, the most recent being the 2001 New England Patriots.
But that doesn't mean the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, who both squandered 10-point leads in their openers last week, are eager to find out if they have what it takes to dig themselves out of such a hole.
The NFC East Division rivals square off at 7:15 p.m. Sunday at Texas Stadium in Irving.
"Both teams need to get a win," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Wednesday. "It's very important to get something going because the longer you go without winning, the more problems it creates for your team's confidence. It's an important game in that respect."
The prospect of starting 0-2 has even led some Cowboys to label it a must-win affair.
"For the most part, it is," cornerback Anthony Henry said. "All of them are, but for it to be a division game against a rival, it's a must-win for us."
Not really, Parcells said.
"I don't think it's a season-making or season-breaking game," Parcells said. "But I know everybody would like to have it be that."
The Cowboys' schedule doesn't appear to favor a quick turnaround should the team start 0-2. After next week's bye, Dallas plays five of its next seven games on the road, a stretch that includes outings against division foes Philadelphia (Oct. 8), the New York Giants (Oct. 23) and Washington (Nov. 5).
Still, Parcells doesn't seem worried. Perhaps he remembers that the 2004 Green Bay Packers started 1-4 before winning nine of their last 11 games en route to their third-straight NFC North title.
"Everybody else has kind of got the hearses out," Parcells said. "I don't think there's any funeral taking place any time soon."
Receiver Terrell Owens agreed.
"We are going to rebound from this," Owens said, referring to the 24-17 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. "I have tons of confidence in the defense and the offense. We will get this thing turned around."
The Cowboys looked unstoppable in the first quarter against the Jaguars, taking a 10-0 lead with running back Julius Jones scoring on a 23-yard run and setting up a field goal with a 39-yard reception. But Jacksonville responded with 24 unanswered points, a turnaround aided by Dallas' penalties, turnovers and botched plays.
"It's hard to start the season with a loss, but I think everyone knows we had a chance to win and we let it slip away," said Owens, who finished with six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. "We played against a great team, but they know we let them off the hook."
"We just have to sustain better execution for a longer period of time,"
Parcells said. "That's the most important thing we can do now."
Notebook: Parcells said he wouldn't let Mike Vanderjagt play until he shows he can "consistently make kicks in practice." .. Receiver and punt returner Jamaica Rector is the only player on the Cowboys' injury report.
He's listed as questionable with a sore ankle.
Express-News Staff Writer
History says an 0-2 start isn't a death sentence in the NFL.
Since 1990, 17 teams have lost their first two games and still qualified for the postseason. Three of those teams even reached the Super Bowl, the most recent being the 2001 New England Patriots.
But that doesn't mean the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, who both squandered 10-point leads in their openers last week, are eager to find out if they have what it takes to dig themselves out of such a hole.
The NFC East Division rivals square off at 7:15 p.m. Sunday at Texas Stadium in Irving.
"Both teams need to get a win," Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Wednesday. "It's very important to get something going because the longer you go without winning, the more problems it creates for your team's confidence. It's an important game in that respect."
The prospect of starting 0-2 has even led some Cowboys to label it a must-win affair.
"For the most part, it is," cornerback Anthony Henry said. "All of them are, but for it to be a division game against a rival, it's a must-win for us."
Not really, Parcells said.
"I don't think it's a season-making or season-breaking game," Parcells said. "But I know everybody would like to have it be that."
The Cowboys' schedule doesn't appear to favor a quick turnaround should the team start 0-2. After next week's bye, Dallas plays five of its next seven games on the road, a stretch that includes outings against division foes Philadelphia (Oct. 8), the New York Giants (Oct. 23) and Washington (Nov. 5).
Still, Parcells doesn't seem worried. Perhaps he remembers that the 2004 Green Bay Packers started 1-4 before winning nine of their last 11 games en route to their third-straight NFC North title.
"Everybody else has kind of got the hearses out," Parcells said. "I don't think there's any funeral taking place any time soon."
Receiver Terrell Owens agreed.
"We are going to rebound from this," Owens said, referring to the 24-17 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. "I have tons of confidence in the defense and the offense. We will get this thing turned around."
The Cowboys looked unstoppable in the first quarter against the Jaguars, taking a 10-0 lead with running back Julius Jones scoring on a 23-yard run and setting up a field goal with a 39-yard reception. But Jacksonville responded with 24 unanswered points, a turnaround aided by Dallas' penalties, turnovers and botched plays.
"It's hard to start the season with a loss, but I think everyone knows we had a chance to win and we let it slip away," said Owens, who finished with six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. "We played against a great team, but they know we let them off the hook."
"We just have to sustain better execution for a longer period of time,"
Parcells said. "That's the most important thing we can do now."
Notebook: Parcells said he wouldn't let Mike Vanderjagt play until he shows he can "consistently make kicks in practice." .. Receiver and punt returner Jamaica Rector is the only player on the Cowboys' injury report.
He's listed as questionable with a sore ankle.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:34 PM
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