Despite his comments recently that his team had work to do before the 2012 season, Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones could easily have a false sense of NFL relevance like only Double-J would.
You see, even though his team finished season with an 8-8 record and got spanked by the New York Giants in a Week 17 loser-go-home game, the Cowboys also had some close calls against the two teams who will be duking it out for the world title next weekend in Indianapolis.
Oct. 16 — The Cowboys had Tom Brady on the ropes, playing easily one of his worst games of the season. Then, he turned into Tom Terrific, leading the Patriots on a game-winning drive with a touchdown pass with 22 seconds remaining to top the Cowboys 20-16. With just a few minutes remaining, the Cowboys took a 16-13 lead and forced a three-and-out meaning they just had to get a couple of first downs. But instead they had a penalty, and rushed three times and punted right back to Brady in one of the many questionable game-management decisions made by Jason Garrett this past season.
Dec. 11 — The Cowboys had the Giants on the ropes, ready to bury their season in primetime at Jerry World. A fifth straight loss for the Giants would have all but locked up the NFC East championship for the Cowboys. Instead, the Cowboys defense faltered, and Eli Manning shined brightly with two touchdown drives in the final 3:14 of the game to beat the Cowboys 37-34 and keep their hopes alive. Tony Romo saw his fantastic effort spoiled after he threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
It's games like that that will lead Jerry to believe there is nothing wrong with his team like his aging defense or his clear game-management issues.
