Did you see who was happy after the Cowboys hung on for that 27-20 nailbiter over the WFT?
Correct. Nobody.
Dallas was in shell-shock after almost blowing a 24-0 lead, and Washington was angry and frustrated about not completing what would have been an historic comeback victory.
Yes, that will be one edgy, intense football game when the two teams meet again in two weeks, this time in Arlington.
That’s okay with me. I like edgy and intense.
It’s a given that Micah Parsons will be Defensive Rookie of the Year. Now he must be considered for Defensive PLAYER of the year. His versatility and football savvy are astounding. He can be a run-stuffing or A-Gap blitzing inside linebacker, he is Taz coming off the edge, and he can play man coverage all the way down the field on pretty much anybody.
I don’t think I’ve ever before written that last sentence about a player, except maybe that guy who played for the Giants. Yeah, you heard me. And Micah does less stupid stuff than the gentleman I’m referencing.
So, Dallas is 9-4 and holds a three-game lead in the NFC East with four games to play. The division race is over. Dallas will go into the NFC postseason no lower than the fourth seed. I don’t think earning the one-seed and the bye is realistic at this point. The Cowboys are not going to leap-frog the entire trio of the Cardinals, Packers and Bucs.
But consider this. If Dallas goes deep in the playoffs, it will likely be because of its defense. Think about how ridiculous that statement would have been a year ago, when the Cowboy defense was truly among the worst in NFL history.
Now that D can be the meal ticket, assuming everybody is healthy and stays healthy. With almost all hands on deck for really the first time this season, we saw yesterday how ferocious that front seven can be. I’m quite sure Taylor Heinicke would agree.
Apparently, Dan Quinn is a pretty good D.C.
Dak? I wouldn’t worry about him. I’m not excusing or dismissing that pick-6 he threw to Cole Holcomb, but I could probably explain it pretty innocently. I’d be much more concerned about the state of the Cowboys running game.
NFL MVP? If the season ended today, it would be Tom Brady. Period. Think about this. It’s amazing enough to still be playing at 44. It is quite another to still be the very best football player on the planet.
I got lots more NFL sugarplums dancing in my head. But that’s why God created Tuesday. See you then.