Dallas Cowboys: Thoughts on Giants, Seahawks and a family matter

The Dallas Cowboys are in the tournament. A new season has begun. Here are some thoughts on Giants, Seahawks, and a personal family matter.

The Dallas Cowboys are in playoffs mode. There’s no question about that, and the fan base has something to be excited about. There is no need to remind where the Cowboys were, standing in the cold in a straitjacket with a 3-5 record several weeks ago.

Playoffs are the birth for new configurations. The ‘Boys showed some chiseled muscle last Sunday, stomping the Giants at home in a game that meant nothing. But after the 36-35 thriller, America’s Team redefined the meaning of meaningless. Because nothing is ever futile about gaining a supernova of momentum before entering the tournament.

Before I go on, I’d like to use this space to address something of a personal matter close to my heart. I’ve written for The Landry Hat now for over six years. My favorite thing about this virtual space I’m offered is the freedom to create and fire away words to my desires. The writers and their thoughts encapsulated at this site are what separates us from other Cowboys’ coverages, and I’m proud to be part of that measurement.

I cannot continue my Dallas Cowboys analysis without uncovering this matter first. Last early Sunday morning, Dallas Cowboys Nation lost a member in their family: my older brother. He was 41-years of age.

He loved the Dallas Cowboys so very much and was one of those faithful fans who geared up in Cowboys gear from head to toe.

Unlike me, he saw the good in the bad. For example, number four was going to get better in his eyes; he believed that Dak Prescott was a quarterback with a future worthy of exploration. He appreciated Jason Witten and his years as a Cowboys. He could hold his own in Cowboys trivia, too.

Best of all, when the seasons ended without the Dallas Cowboys earning new hardware, he lived on the spectrum that next year was “our year.” He was that type of fan.

Brother, our thoughts are with you. I have no doubt you were watching the Cowboys and Giants thriller some place in heaven. We’ll keep you in our thoughts as the Seattle Seahawks travel to Dallas for Wild Card weekend.

Should your GPS navigation get jumbled this upcoming Sunday, or any other day, remember that home is the big star at the fifty-yard line inside AT&T Stadium. You can find us there.

So, after finishing the season strong with a 10-6 finish, are the Cowboys ready to flex the biceps again against the Seahawks? Is it that time to rip off those famous Jimmy Johnson words from our lips, you know: “How about dem Cowboys?”

Sure, Seattle came out last Sunday with a close victory at home against the Cardinals. The Hawks earned the fifth seed along with a date in Dallas. But can they tango with the big ‘Boys who are playing football with a renewed sense of electricity?

With Prescott hurling the pigskin around for nearly 400 yards last Sunday, along with no interceptions and four touchdown scores, the Seattle defense must set their eyes on number four. The quarterback played like a football magician, escaping the pocket Tony Romo style in epic fashion.

Mr. Dak quieted critics by winning without his partner in crime, running back Ezekiel Elliott. He was missing two of his top-flight blockers in Tyron Smith and Zach Martin. Arguably, ace center Travis Frederick could be mentioned here as well.

On the road to the playoffs, the Cowboys found the emergence of tight end Blake Jarwin. The Prescott to Jarwin performance has come at the right time, and if the duo can carry their sequel to the playoffs, Seattle must be aware of the new Rolodex of attacks.

On a final note, the Cowboys and Seahawks game will come down to defense. Whoever gets the bigger stops and turnovers is going to win this game. The Cowboys were different the first time around when Seattle tossed Dallas around. Keep an eye on coach Kris Jenkins deploying a revenge scheme against his former team.

Prediction? You got it. Give me Dallas Cowboys 27, Seattle Seahawks 26. Enjoy Wild Card week. And thank you for everyone in Cowboys Nation for sending my family and friends their prayers and thoughts. We thank you kindly.