Can Cowboys clinch NFC East on Sunday or will it be another frantic finale?
David Moore Follow @DavidMooreDMN Email
dmoore@dallasnews.com
Published: December 20, 2014 8:16 pm
On Thanksgiving evening, when you were bloated from too much turkey, sweet potatoes and pecan pie and delirious from watching Philadelphia 33, Dallas 10, did you see this coming?
Life changes quick in the NFL. The unexpected happens in December when the pressure increases and cracks emerge.
The Eagles have cracked with three consecutive losses. Their loss to Washington Saturday evening has altered the narrative heading into Sunday afternoon’s game between the Cowboys and Indianapolis.
This is no longer a must win for the Cowboys. But it’s a win that will secure a division title, a playoff berth and end a four-year post-season drought.
The stakes are high. After going down to the final game of the regular season for three consecutive years with a win-and-in, lose-and-out scenario, after losing all three times, can the Cowboys really afford to lose to the Colts and insert themselves in the same, potential scenario?
What is the definition of insanity?
DeMarco Murray’s status is key. Management is confident he’ll play. The running back told club officials Saturday evening that he feels good. But that’s not a declaration that he’ll take the field against the Colts.
The Cowboys have the incentive and the talent to take care of business regardless of whether or not Murray plays. Not doing so will put the Cowboys in position to see recent history repeat itself.
If this team really is different, it will be evident against Indianapolis.
If not, strap in for that season finale against Washington.
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Since 2000 the Cowboys are 2-12 in season finales with three of those losses coming at the hands of the Redskins. All three losses came at Fed Ex field.