duncan228
11-10-2008, 01:16 AM
Cowboys: What are the odds? (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/Cowboys_What_are_the_odds.html)
Tom Orsborn - Express-News
Coming out of their off week with a 5-4 record, the Dallas Cowboys still control their own playoff destiny. But with five of the team’s seven remaining foes better than .500, Express-News Cowboys beat writer Tom Orsborn says the odds favor another late-season meltdown. Here’s how he breaks down the team’s chances:
Nov. 16 at Washington
- The Cowboys have lost three straight at FedEx Field, and the next time they shut down receiver Santana Moss will be the first time. Still, the Cowboys are getting back Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Kyle Kosier and Terence Newman and must win if they’re going to make the playoffs.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 6-4.
Nov. 23 vs. San Francisco
- Before hiring Wade Phillips in February 2007, owner Jerry Jones talked to Mike Singletary to fulfill the NFL’s requirement that he interview a minority candidate. The slight will drive Singletary — now the 49ers coach — to go all out, but Dallas should beat one of the league’s worst at home.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 7-4.
Nov. 27 vs. Seattle
- The Cowboys have won three of their last four Thanksgiving Day games, including two straight. With the Seahawks ranked near the bottom of the league in both offense and defense, it’s hard to imagine that streak ending.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 8-4.
Dec. 7 at Pittsburgh
- The hard-nosed, bruising Steelers are the antithesis of the front-running Cowboys, who haven’t played in the Steel City since 1997. The best Romo and Co. can hope for in this one is they get out of it injury free.
- Prediction: Cowboys lose to go 8-5.
Dec. 14 vs. N.Y. Giants
- The Cowboys haven’t had a winning record in December and January since 1996. Back-to-back games against two of the league’s most physical teams leave them ill prepared to break that troubling trend.
- Prediction: Cowboys lose to go 8-6.
Dec. 20 vs. Baltimore
- For the third straight week, the Cowboys tangle with a physical, nasty bunch that punches them in the face and doesn’t back off. But in the final regular-season game at Texas Stadium, the Cowboys should have enough offensive firepower to successfully fight back.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 9-6.
Dec. 28 at Philadelphia
- The Cowboys only beat the Eagles in September because Donovan McNabb flubbed a fourth-quarter handoff. Philadelphia has defeated Dallas the last two Decembers.
- Prediction: Cowboys lose to go 9-7 and miss the playoffs.
Tom Orsborn - Express-News
Coming out of their off week with a 5-4 record, the Dallas Cowboys still control their own playoff destiny. But with five of the team’s seven remaining foes better than .500, Express-News Cowboys beat writer Tom Orsborn says the odds favor another late-season meltdown. Here’s how he breaks down the team’s chances:
Nov. 16 at Washington
- The Cowboys have lost three straight at FedEx Field, and the next time they shut down receiver Santana Moss will be the first time. Still, the Cowboys are getting back Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Kyle Kosier and Terence Newman and must win if they’re going to make the playoffs.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 6-4.
Nov. 23 vs. San Francisco
- Before hiring Wade Phillips in February 2007, owner Jerry Jones talked to Mike Singletary to fulfill the NFL’s requirement that he interview a minority candidate. The slight will drive Singletary — now the 49ers coach — to go all out, but Dallas should beat one of the league’s worst at home.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 7-4.
Nov. 27 vs. Seattle
- The Cowboys have won three of their last four Thanksgiving Day games, including two straight. With the Seahawks ranked near the bottom of the league in both offense and defense, it’s hard to imagine that streak ending.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 8-4.
Dec. 7 at Pittsburgh
- The hard-nosed, bruising Steelers are the antithesis of the front-running Cowboys, who haven’t played in the Steel City since 1997. The best Romo and Co. can hope for in this one is they get out of it injury free.
- Prediction: Cowboys lose to go 8-5.
Dec. 14 vs. N.Y. Giants
- The Cowboys haven’t had a winning record in December and January since 1996. Back-to-back games against two of the league’s most physical teams leave them ill prepared to break that troubling trend.
- Prediction: Cowboys lose to go 8-6.
Dec. 20 vs. Baltimore
- For the third straight week, the Cowboys tangle with a physical, nasty bunch that punches them in the face and doesn’t back off. But in the final regular-season game at Texas Stadium, the Cowboys should have enough offensive firepower to successfully fight back.
- Prediction: Cowboys win to go 9-6.
Dec. 28 at Philadelphia
- The Cowboys only beat the Eagles in September because Donovan McNabb flubbed a fourth-quarter handoff. Philadelphia has defeated Dallas the last two Decembers.
- Prediction: Cowboys lose to go 9-7 and miss the playoffs.