Perspective: A Few Things We Know

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Good post. My biggest complaint about the team is that it is really inconsistent. It would be one thing if we were always bad, but we're not. Our offense and defense show flashes of dominance. But, for every quarter that the team looks great, they have a quarter in which they look horrid. I guess that explains why there are Kool-Aid drinkers and Hater-Aid drinkers; there are enough bad plays to warrant frustration and enough good ones to warrant optimism. If the team plays well and stops losing games in the 4th quarter, we will be a team to beat. Right now, we're just a team struggling to find its identity.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Good post. My biggest complaint about the team is that it is really inconsistent. It would be one thing if we were always bad, but we're not. Our offense and defense show flashes of dominance. But, for every quarter that the team looks great, they have a quarter in which they look horrid. I guess that explains why there are Kool-Aid drinkers and Hater-Aid drinkers; there are enough bad plays to warrant frustration and enough good ones to warrant optimism. If the team plays well and stops losing games in the 4th quarter, we will be a team to beat. Right now, we're just a team struggling to find its identity.

You're right. I was telling a friend today, if NFL games were three quarters instead of four, we'd be Super Bowl contenders!

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

You're right. I was telling a friend today, if NFL games were three quarters instead of four, we'd be Super Bowl contenders!

That's what is so frustrating. If games ended in the 3rd quarter, we'd be 8-1 and talking about a first round bye. That we can get ahead of good teams speaks to just how close we are to doing some great things. That we cannot close games out speaks to the fact that we aren't there yet.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

That's what is so frustrating. If games ended in the 3rd quarter, we'd be 8-1 and talking about a first round bye. That we can get ahead of good teams speaks to just how close we are to doing some great things. That we cannot close games out speaks to the fact that we aren't there yet.

Exactly. That's it.

It doesn't mean we don't have "killer intinct" or a "winning attitude" or any other intangible. It just means that we are only as good as our opponent, and that doesn't always win you ballgames.

[RobH4413]

I think you make a good point about struggling to find our identity. It seems like one week, we're a rushing team, the next weak we're a defensive team with no offense, the next week who knows.

Granted, this may just be a way for the coaches to attack specific weaknesses on the opponents... But until recently seems like we're changing to our opponents identity instead of vice versa. I feel that the coaches weren't sure what our strengths were, so they just attacked the enemies weakness. I know that is a very generic statement that I have nothing to back up with statistics, and maybe I'm the only one who's observed these characteristics, but it's a vibe I've picked up throughout the season.

It's very frustrating because we're close to being a good team. Right now we're very mediocre, but the bright spots certainly remain. Campbell is obviously developing well, the O-line is starting to gel together, and the running game has begun to show up.

Our defense is going to try and stop the "big play" of Dallas, and give them the underneath. Their offense is so explosive, it seems insane to realistically think we stand a chance.

I really think if we make this a physical battle we have a good chance at pulling this one out. We hit hard, tackle well (I know... not likely..), and lust for the turnover. Get into their receivers heads. Play mean. There is really no other way to look at this game. It's a loss in virtually every measurable category. But you can't measure heart (insert crescendo of inspirational music).

Statistically we don't match up, but how many times has either side thrown statistics out the window for an old fashioned slug fest. I'm not expecting a win, but I'm not expecting us to lay an egg either. We're coming off a divisional loss and if this team has any kind of leadership driven attitude, this is the game to show up.