Even after winning their fourth game of the year, the Cowboys are getting criticized again. Why? The win wasn’t impressive enough. After taking a big lead early, Dallas struggled for most of the rest of the game. The defense wasn’t breaking, but was bending a heck of a lot. And the offense never had a rhythm.
But a win is a win. They’re not all going to be pretty. The same people who are ripping the Cowboys for struggling against the winless Bengals were praising the Giants for beating the same team in overtime. You can’t have it both ways.
You also can’t criticize the team for playing great in the regular season but choking in the playoffs, and then turn around and expect them to win the Super Bowl in week 5. I liked Tony Romo’s reaction to the criticism:
“I’m sorry that I’m not sorry we won the game.”
Terrell Owens was also attacked for crying on the sideline after his touchdown, and for having to have Jerry Jones seemingly cheer him up at the end of the game. T.O. generally can’t win with the media no matter what he does, but it was assumed by most that he was upset over only having two catches, even though one was a long touchdown. Turns out it was a death in the family.
Week 5 notes:
- I’m assuming everybody is off the Eagles bandwagon now that they’ve lost their third straight game. Donovan McNabb is giving his usual answer of “We should’ve beaten everybody!” I’d like to hear from every “expert” that picked them to represent the NFC. Something like, “Did I say Super Bowl? I meant last place.”
- You are what you are, but I still can’t help thinking the Colts are incredibly lucky to be 2-2 instead of 0-4. If the Vikings score one touchdown and the Texans just kneel down in the last five minutes, their season would be over.
- A week ago would’ve been a great time to sell high on Larry Johnson if he’s on your fantasy team. He blew up for close to 200 yards and a couple scores in their only win against the Broncos, then went back to the LJ we all know – seven carries for two yards against the Panthers.
- The Buffalo Bills picked up plenty of people along their bandwagon bus route, but I’d start ringing the bell if I was one of them. After getting blown out by the Cardinals, the question is, how much do we downgrade them? I say, all the way. Worst team in the league. Actually, I think they’re pretty good and a playoff team. They still haven’t sold me on Super Bowl contenders though.
- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is in the mix for rookie of the year, and made another case for himself when he led the Falcons to a win at Lambeau Field. I can’t remember too many rookie QBs doing that. What has me most excited though is the nickname somebody out there decided to give him – Matty Ice. I have no idea when or where he got this nickname, but it’s already one of my all-time favorites.
