Wow. Nothing like a huge call to encourage me back to writing. Before I start ranting about the "Reversal Heard Round the World," let's touch on the basics of a fantastic Cowboys season, and a strong showing in this year's Divisional Playoff Round.
1. If we're being honest, the Cowboys surprised us all this season.
Even if you're Skip Bayless who pulled a winning record prediction out of his butt, you didn't actually expect the Cowboys to win anywhere near 10 games, let alone being tied for the best record in football [12-4] going into the postseason.
2. The Cowboys have proved that they can deliver in the playoffs.
With their last game coming down to essentially one play before vying for a Conference Title in Seattle, this team proved to themselves and to everyone else that they're ready to turn the chapter on the 8-8 seasons and build on the legacy of the early 90s success.
3. The NFL has serious decisions to make about the rulebook, its application, and the referees who are placed in the hot seat week in and week out.
For goodness sake, why not consider putting together teams of refs which actually understand each other enough to act with poise in high pressure situations? While we're scrutinizing, I'll represent the Lions for a minute and rally for pass interference being added to the docket for ability to review and overturn.
Now for today's game.
1. The Cowboys missed opportunities to extend their lead and put this game out of reach.
The biggest of these was at the end of the first half when Red J decided to kick a long field goal on a 4th and 1. Continue to believe in your team. You have endless options for smoothly getting that yard, and against a Packers team that has proven they can't deliver on 4th down.
2. The referees missed opportunities to do their job.
With key 3rd down "make-up Detroit" penalty calls on the Packers' winning drive, the referees consistently botched their responsibility to the fans, their commissioner, and ultimately to the teams involved. On both sides, calls were missed, ignored and blown out of proportion. The largest of these was the game-altering call to reverse the beautiful Bryant catch on an ensuing Cowboys drive. The catch went from season-defining for the Cowboys to career-defining for the idiot ref whose reputation is now fully instituted as a "catch-crusher." Remember Megatron?
3. The Packers missed opportunities to show any sort of class.
Late blocks, sacks on Romo (seconds after the ball was released) and penalties all around showed the world that this Packers team is dirty and deserves no honor in the long run. The only glimmer of hope for that team is a phenomenal quarterback who delivers even under high pressure and when he's feeling at much less than 100%.
All of that being said, as a fan, I can't complain about a quality showdown on a huge stage. The Cowboys showed up and did everything they needed to do to win this game. It was no fault of their own which took that opportunity away.
Eventually, we're all going to have to realize that the NFL has much to think about. The Lions believed they were screwed, and I'll never take that away from them. Now the Cowboys, in most camps, believe they're screwed, and no one can take that away from them. When the day is over, we see corruption from the top down, greed that wants nothing more than to increase profit margin.
Here's an interesting thought. When Mike & Mike asked Mark Cuban, "Where do you draw the line between making money and winning games?" Mark replied, "You don't, at least I don't." He later went on to say that "we're 5 games over .500 and it kills me." It's THAT mentality that the NFL needs to apply to their business framework.
At some point, the NFL has to stop thinking about how to make money, about how to please everyone, and about how to be politically correct about selecting referees, and get to the fact of the matter. If the fans, and teams aren't happy, then we're doing something wrong. When the fans and teams aren't happy, the NFL loses. In turn, fair played games with quality officiating yields happy fans, teams, and a winning NFL.
I can't help but think that if the NFL continues in this direction, their impending doom will come even earlier than Cuban predicted.
Last thoughts:
Pay Dez, Pay Garrett, and don't overpay Demarco.
JMiller
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