The Dallas Cowboys and Their Christmas List

In recent years, as December 25th approaches, the Dallas Cowboys tend to find a lump of coal in their stocking. Hovering in mediocrity, Dallas has not visited the playoffs since 2009. Like in years past, the ‘Boys hold their playoff destinies in their own hands. With two games remaining, the Cowboys players and coaching staff will be looking for Santa to gift them a playoff birth, but what other things could be on their Christmas lists.

Coaching

Head coach Jason Garrett is dreaming of a white Christmas– after all, he needs something to cool down his hot-seat. After a 6-1 start to the 2014 campaign, it would be hard to stomach another year outside of the playoffs. The Cowboys broke the 8-8 seal this season, and at worst, will go 10-6 with two losses in the final games. However, this season, 10-6 is not good enough.

Since Tom Landry’s final season in 1988 the Cowboys have gone through seven coaches. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has never been afraid to make a coaching change, and missing the playoffs five seasons in a row might just be the demise of Jason Garrett.

Contracts

Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is certainly stayed off Santa’s naughty list this year. If you don’t know what the star wideout wants this Christmas, you might be living under a rock. Bryant needs a new contract, and not the kind that comes with the franchise tag. This season, he has caught 13 touchdowns and has piled up 1,148 yards on the year.

Bryant was once adamant that he didn’t want to negotiate during the season, but changed his tune when he signed with Jay Z’s Rock Nation. Bryant has warned the Cowboys not to test his loyalty to the team and he said he would be “highly disappointed” the franchise tag, but ultimately, he wants to be a Cowboy. Bryant said of his intent,

"“It makes sense, it makes sense. I love Cowboy Nation, they love me. I’m going to continue to keep doing what I need to do to try and make it right and try to bring that Super Bowl here.”"

It is becoming ever more clear that the Cowboys will have to make some uncomfortable decisions with their upcoming free agents. Among Cowboy players, DeMarco Murray, Doug Free, Rolando McClain, Dwayne Harris, Sterling Moore, and Cole Beasley are all possible cap casualties for next season.

Health

A multitude of Cowboys likely have one thing on their Christmas list that’s underlined and bolded– health. Tony Romo’s health has been a question mark all season, but joining him this week in injury-limbo is star running back DeMarco Murray and two key offensive linemen Doug Free and Zack Martin. Murray is coming off a surgery on his hand to repair a broken bone suffered in garbage time against the Philadelphia Eagles in their most recent victory. Martin and Free are banged up with ankle injuries. The Cowboys executives expect Martin to play, while the status of Murray and Free hangs in the air.

Super Bowl

The Cowboys came into camp defining this season with one word– fight. Today, with very real playoff hopes, the mantra has become two words– keep fighting. Jason Garrett said,

"“Fight is a really important word. There’s a lot of levels of fight, but ultimately, it’s about fighting to be your best. That’s what the whole thing is about, and we have to do that every day.”"

In order to fight their way into a Super Bowl the Cowboys will almost certainly need to win the final two regular season games. If they reach the playoffs they must conquer their struggles at home in an opening playoff game, and go on to win two more games which will likely be on the road. Right now, Vegas lists the Cowboys as the fifth most likely team to walk away with Super Bowl hardware, giving them 12/1 odds to take it all.

All in all, the Cowboys have a lot to wish for this 2014 season. Making the playoffs or not, the Dallas faithful have been gifted a better season than could be dreamed of at the start of the 2014 campaign. Whether the Cowboys are gifted with wins or left with a lump of coal in their stocking, this season has been one heck of a ride.