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The prodigal son has returned, sorry for my brief absence, it’s been busy around here this month, but with camp drawing closer I’m back despite it all. A lot of the talk has been around Terry Glenn and Adam Jones in recent weeks, but I’d like to broach the issue of THE backup. THE, being the most important backup spot on the roster, the #2 QB.

Last season we managed to keep Romo safe, but at one point Romo has dinged his finger, and we all saw the effects even if they were ever so slight. Should Romo be out for any amount of time, this high octane offense would be in Brad Johnson’s hands.

I’ll be the first to admit, I was all for signing Brad Johnson, I liked the idea, but after watching him in camp last year and in the preseason, he looked marginally average at best. Add another year, and the results surely aren’t going to be better. I think the Cowboys would be wise to look at some other options, Mainly that of picking up a free agent or trading a late pick to acquire Chris Simms.

What do you guys think, is Brad Johnson the answer this year?

I know we haven’t played the most explosive football in recent weeks, but we have been winning games. We still need to come out as the aggressor, the homefield needs to be rocking, none of that wimpy non-existent cheering we’ve seen in other “big” games this year. You guys better show up for our boys.

One thing that I keep coming back to in this game is that we own Eli Manning, we have his number. We know it, and he knows it. He will come in the clutch and choke it up. I envision a return of our offense from the middle of the season; that of, pure explosion in the 2nd half. T.O. will play, Crayton is pumped, Witten is ready to take his All-pro game to the next level, and Romo wants this game more than anyone.

Romo has set goals to make up for the big let down last post-season, and he’s come full circle to this first game. The job is incomplete and he’s going to take us to the big game.

Get pumped! Go Cowboys!

Here we are at 13-3, we’ve had a great deal of trouble moving the ball over the last 4 weeks or so. Right now, I feel as confident of winning a playoff game as I did last year, and by that I mean bleak… We’re not dominating ANYONE, the passing game is horrid, Romo doesn’t look confident,the defense has been suspect, the secondary is bad. We haven’t played well at home, crowd noise at big games has been a ZERO factor. We’re in trouble.
Sorry to sound so pessimistic, but if we show up like we have the last few weeks its going to be “One and Done” and this will be devastating, perhaps worse than last years loss.

Another so-so performance from the offense as far as points go, but a win is a win. This is not the type of performances we should be having this late in the season, and its definitely a concern. Romo looked to be back on track and the thumb did not seem to be a big factor, Marion Barber was back in form, and Witten continues to be clutch. The defense was shaky in the beginning, but they were able to ratchet down and shutdown the Panthers.

So, the Cowboys win and improve to 13-2, but they are still in a dogfight for homefield advantage with the surging Packers. The Cowboys will be on the road to close out the regular season against the much hated Redskins, who could also be battling for a wild card game, so this is going to be a huge game for both teams.

Historically, the Redskins have played the Cowboys tough, and this game will be no different. The Cowboys could be missing T.O. and this will be a big blow, I don’t care how other people may try to be optimistic, but get real. Without T.O. on the road, at Washington, a slowing offense…I don’t like those odds at all. I’m hoping for an upset from the Bears tomorrow so we can rest everyone against the Redskins and get that monkey off our back.

Players of the game (offense): Romo, Barber, and Witten

Players of the game (defense): Ware and Canty

The Cowboys did not maul the Lions, in fact it was nearly the other way around. The Cowboys looked sluggish on both sides of the ball, and never led the game until the game winning strike to Jason Witten. What a game.

The Cowboys were stiffled most ofthe game, but made some key plays to make up for some keyfoul-ups. In the end, the Cowboys won the game with seconds left on the clock. Jason Witten redeemed himself in a major game winning TD strike from Romo. The legend continues, Romomentum keeps on rolling. The Cowboys have now clinched the NFC East. Phillips take the Cowboys to 12-1. The Cowboys host the Eagles next.

BOXSCORE 

The Cowboys have come a long way from the near debacle in Buffalo, and the drubbing at home by the Patriots; but, on the positive side the Cowboys have gained mounts of experience in the Phillips 34 and Garrett’s attacking offense. Each game in the bag means bad news for opposing teams.

All the offseason hardwork is culminating towards one goal, the Super Bowl and Romo is leading the way. Romo has bounced back from the Seattle game back in January and has be steadfast in his game management. The defense is beginning to click and looks to be swarming now, something this defense did not have last year, and most definitely did not have in December.

This game against the Lions is a bigger game than it appears. The defense knows what December did to the Cowboys, and there’s an arguement that could be made that our season slipped away because the defense crumbled. This year the defense wants to keep it going, and Bradie James is leading the way. Not only does James want to get after the Lions, he wants to lead the defense to a dominating December. It all starts against the Lions.

The Packers are a soft 10-1 with the weak division they play in. On the other spectrum you have our Dallas Cowboys who have been battle tested each and every game, grizzled and foaming at the mouth with our game against the Pack.

We’ll win this game in a devastating fashion, and after the last whistle it’s going to be clear that the NFC Championship game is coming through Dallas. This is a Statement game for the rest of the league. We’re clicking on all cylinders and we’re taking names, Brett Favre & Co. will be the next victim.

Expect the same play from our ‘Boys as we’ve had all year. This game may be in reach in the first half, but the afterburners will kick-in and the beatdown will ensue. The torch will be passed from Favre to Romo in this game.

Maddencast: Cowboys 20 Packers 17

My Prediction: Cowboys 41 Packers 27

This was a close game, and like last week, we mange to find ways to keep teams in the game. Gurode has his worst game in several seasons, what was all that about? Yes, Jason Campbell looked good, but the defense just floundered around in the 2nd half and let the Redskins in the game, very disappointing. The offense has the killer instinct, but the defense has some ways to go. Newman made a play at the end, but other than that, the 2nd half was too easy for the Redskins.

Don’t get me wrong, I love this win, I hate the Redskins, so let’s take this win and move forward to that “trap” game. The Jets are horrible, and we’re at home… Let’s play with some intensity, crush the Jets and have some momentum for the following week in a game that could be for homefield advantage against the Packers.

Player of the game: Terrell Owens

LVP: Andre Gurode

In a must win game for the Eagles the Cowboys came into the Linc and crushed them from the first play of the game until the end. The Quadruplets, Romo, Witten, Barber, and Owens delivered the knockout punch and never looked back. Fresh off his newly signed contract Romo threw 3 TDs/1INT for 324 yards. Jason Witten is money all day long, tough as nails, and when Romo is in doubt he’ll throw it to Witten. Marion Barber continues to show his skills, and has now entrenched himself as an elite back in this league, MB3=Production. Owens had a breakout game, and had his way with the Eagles secondary all game long.

Besides the Quads, The Defense continued to be disruptive, and they were all over McNabb all night long. Forced fumbles, sacks, and INTs all led to the Eagles further spiral down into the NFC East cellar. Good bye Eagles.

The Cowboys will have their hands full against the much improved Giants next week, but we should be able to set them in their place. The East is going through Dallas, we know it, they know it, and the rest of the East knows it. Tank Johnson will make his debut as well, so that’ll be a welcome addition to the NT rotation. We will show up and take care of business in our own division. Should be a good game.

BOXSCORE 

Rest of the East: Redskins defeat Jets, improve to 5-3. Giants on Bye Week.

The postgame for this game will be all about Romo, let’s put that out there right now. If we win the game, he gets headlines praising his new contract extension; however, if the Cowboys lose against the Eagles fresh off his new contract the media will turn it into some stupid blabber. Ignore it. We have our man, besides that, we are going to win this game against the Eagles. Jason Garrett has had two weeks to prepare the offense against the Eagles and it’s going to be a show, with Romo, Witten, Barber, and T.O as the featured headliners.

Keys to Victory

Penalties have plagued the Cowboys this season, and if the Cowboys plan on winning against the Eagles then the penalties must be minimal. Game management and opening drive defense needs to improve, I’m hoping to see Jason Hatcher in the opening drives.

Slow Down Westbrook and the Screen

The Eagles have a bad receiving corp, and knowing this, the Eagles will try to open up the receiving game by feeding the ball to Westbrook. They will try to execute some draw plays and the screen pass. The Eagles are one of the best teams when it comes to the screen pass. So, if we slow down Westbrook, we shutdown their entire offense, he’s their main cog in their talent depleted offense.

Beat Up McNabb

McNabb has not been the same since his last two major injuries, but he’s still effective. He’s definitely not as mobile, so if we get some pressure on him we should see some errant throws and if Ware should have a field day going against Winston Justice. We need to apply ample pressure on McNabb, if we do, we win this game for sure.

Cowboys @ Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field - Grass
NBC 7:15 PM CST
Analysts: John Madden and Al Michaels
NFL.com Gamecenter

The Rest of the NFC East:
Redskins @ Jets 12:00 CST
Giants on Bye Week

Browns Watch:
Seahawks @ Browns 3:05 CST
Join us for LIVE GAMEDAY discussion on the message boards!

Madden Forecast: Cowboys 13 Eagles 34
My Prediction: Cowboys 44 Eagles 27