Do the Cowboys have a chance Sunday? History says they do
By NEWY SCRUGGS
Special to the Star-Telegram
I may have to eat crow on this one, but I'll put it out there: Don't count the Cowboys out before they line up to face New England.
Everything we have seen through five weeks of the NFL season says the Patriots will come to Texas Stadium on Sunday and leave with their undefeated season intact after handing the Cowboys their first loss of the season.
If the Cowboys needed a miracle to beat one of the AFC's worst (Buffalo) on Monday night, how do I expect them to beat the AFC's best (New England)?
The folks who run gambling books say the Cowboys will lose by 5 1/2 points.
The Patriots have the highest-scoring offense in the NFL.
The Cowboys haven't scored a touchdown in the first quarter this season.
Randy Moss has never lost against the Cowboys, and no receiver has played better at Texas Stadium since Michael Irvin and Drew Pearson retired.
Moss is leading the NFL in receiving yards and is tied for the lead in touchdown catches. The Cowboys probably will be without the league leader in interceptions, Anthony Henry, for a second consecutive game with a high ankle sprain.
So why do I give the Cowboys a shot?
The last few years, this club has responded as an underdog.
This year, the Cowboys weren't given much of a chance to beat the Bears in Chicago, and they did.
Last year in Carolina, the Tony Romo legend began with a 14-point comeback victory on national TV against the favored Panthers. Last December, the Cowboys went to Giants Stadium and pulled out a 23-20 win on the leg of kicker Martin Gramatica. The only team the Cowboys beat with a winning record in 2006 was the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, who just happened to go on and win the Super Bowl.
In 2005, the Cowboys opened the season in San Diego and won 28-24. Who can forget safety Roy Williams picking off Donovan McNabb and running it back 46 yards to secure a 21-20 win vs. Philly on Monday Night Football?
Back in 2003, the 0-1 Cowboys went to Giants Stadium and won in overtime on Billy Cundiff's seventh field goal.
I think the Cowboys' coaches give their team a chance to win this game.
So much is made about how the AFC is the best conference and the NFC is merely the NFL's JV.
In case you forgot, coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart came from San Diego, where they had experienced coaching -- and winning -- against the Patriots.
Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was the quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins last season when they shut out the Patriots 21-0.
As a head coach, Phillips has a 3-1 edge over Bill Belichick. As the Broncos' coach, Phillips got wins over Belichick, who was the coach in Cleveland in 1993 and 1994. In 2000, Phillips' Bills split the season series against Belichick's Patriots.
All this may not mean squat. The players still have to execute the game plan. The playmakers have to make plays, but give the Cowboys a chance... history says so.
Newy Scruggs is sports director for NBC5.
Special to the Star-Telegram
I may have to eat crow on this one, but I'll put it out there: Don't count the Cowboys out before they line up to face New England.
Everything we have seen through five weeks of the NFL season says the Patriots will come to Texas Stadium on Sunday and leave with their undefeated season intact after handing the Cowboys their first loss of the season.
If the Cowboys needed a miracle to beat one of the AFC's worst (Buffalo) on Monday night, how do I expect them to beat the AFC's best (New England)?
The folks who run gambling books say the Cowboys will lose by 5 1/2 points.
The Patriots have the highest-scoring offense in the NFL.
The Cowboys haven't scored a touchdown in the first quarter this season.
Randy Moss has never lost against the Cowboys, and no receiver has played better at Texas Stadium since Michael Irvin and Drew Pearson retired.
Moss is leading the NFL in receiving yards and is tied for the lead in touchdown catches. The Cowboys probably will be without the league leader in interceptions, Anthony Henry, for a second consecutive game with a high ankle sprain.
So why do I give the Cowboys a shot?
The last few years, this club has responded as an underdog.
This year, the Cowboys weren't given much of a chance to beat the Bears in Chicago, and they did.
Last year in Carolina, the Tony Romo legend began with a 14-point comeback victory on national TV against the favored Panthers. Last December, the Cowboys went to Giants Stadium and pulled out a 23-20 win on the leg of kicker Martin Gramatica. The only team the Cowboys beat with a winning record in 2006 was the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, who just happened to go on and win the Super Bowl.
In 2005, the Cowboys opened the season in San Diego and won 28-24. Who can forget safety Roy Williams picking off Donovan McNabb and running it back 46 yards to secure a 21-20 win vs. Philly on Monday Night Football?
Back in 2003, the 0-1 Cowboys went to Giants Stadium and won in overtime on Billy Cundiff's seventh field goal.
I think the Cowboys' coaches give their team a chance to win this game.
So much is made about how the AFC is the best conference and the NFC is merely the NFL's JV.
In case you forgot, coach Wade Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart came from San Diego, where they had experienced coaching -- and winning -- against the Patriots.
Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett was the quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins last season when they shut out the Patriots 21-0.
As a head coach, Phillips has a 3-1 edge over Bill Belichick. As the Broncos' coach, Phillips got wins over Belichick, who was the coach in Cleveland in 1993 and 1994. In 2000, Phillips' Bills split the season series against Belichick's Patriots.
All this may not mean squat. The players still have to execute the game plan. The playmakers have to make plays, but give the Cowboys a chance... history says so.
Newy Scruggs is sports director for NBC5.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:10 AM
<< Home