Is the Writing on the Wall for the 2013 Dallas Cowboys?
In many situations in life, one can see the light at the end of the tunnel when going through varying hardships that an end is near. Also, when in times of trouble, one can also see the “writing on the wall” when a situation is heading south before the conclusion occurs. I could keep going, but the direction I’m heading is somewhat obvious. The 2013 Dallas Cowboys have played hard and with intensity, and have put their best effort on the field that they could. Unfortunately, this team is headed for a 7-9 or 8-8 season at best.
Oct 27, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown while being defended by Detroit Lions strong safety Glover Quin (27) and cornerback Darius Slay (30) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The team’s remaining schedule and the direction I would lean if predicting a win or loss is as follows:
Minnesota Vikings (W)
@New Orleans Saints (L)
@New York Giants (L)
Oakland Raiders (W)
@Chicago Bears (?)
Green Bay Packers (L)
@Washington Redskins (L)
Philadelphia Eagles (?)
I feel there should be two wins, but I’m also looking at four losses as well. Two games I have a question marks, but they will be decided once the game unfolds on the field. It’s sad, but this is the reality of the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. Since 1997, they have been a .500 team, and have ended at 8-8 in their last two completed seasons. As it looks today, they will be lucky to equal that mark again this season.
Was this how this was supposed to go, of course not. This is just what has been Cowboys Football for almost 20 years now however. Had the team not had multiple turnovers in the second half in Kansas City, maybe the team finds a way to win instead of losing 16-17. Had the team found a way to get San Diego’s offense off the field in the second half in week 4, maybe a 21-13 halftime lead would have not ended as a 21-30 loss. Had Romo not thrown that pick after 58 minutes of play against Denver (where he played magnificent), maybe the Cowboys win 51-48 instead of losing 48-51. And lastly, had the team found a way to better manage the clock at the conclusion of last week’s game in Detroit, maybe the Cowboys win 30-24, instead of losing 30-31.
To compound the sad fact of letting these games slip through their grasp, is the fact that their entire projected defensive line and back-ups going into the season are gone except for Jason Hatcher. Your starting two safeties are down (Church & Wilcox), one of your top three corners (Claiborne), your second best offensive lineman (Waters), one of your top three receivers (Austin), and the lead running back (Murray) have all sustained injuries that will either end their season, or limit their effectiveness for the remainder of it.
Do I still have faith? Will I still watch the games? Will I still give my passion? Will I still listen to the talk radio and watch the television coverage? Will I still try and attend the games? The answer to all is of course yes. But this is just the Dallas Cowboys in 2013 now. I’ve accepted it.
This team is a perfect example of “Murphy’s Law”, which is “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. It is what it is, but it’s the Cowboys fans reality right now, and to ignore this is to be delusional. As the game was lost in the closing seconds last week, I didn’t scream or get upset as I would had in the past, yet I just went on with my business that day as I truly wasn’t surprised the Cowboys found another way to lose. Sad as it is to say, I already see the writing on the wall about this season. Even if the team was to squeak into the playoffs as the NFC Least winner, I just can’t see them going and getting a win in Seattle, San Francisco, New Orleans, or Green Bay. I will enjoy the remainder of this season as there is nine more weekends of the NFL regular season, yet my hope has expired for Blue & Silver in 2013.