Message to Dallas Cowboys: Don't Buy Into Barometer Business, Just Win

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Just a week after the Cowboys “saved their season” with a win over the Chiefs, we have another “big game” that the Cowboys basically “have to have” to stay in the hunt and prove they should be “talked about” as a top NFC contender.

All of this nonsense makes me laugh. I have read articles from Cowboys’ reporters and read message boards and the consensus is that the Cowboys need to prove they are legit. Really? Prove to who? The media?

What? Is there an AP poll now in the NFL? And if so, do I get to vote since I am technically a writer?

The Cowboys don’t need to prove squat to anybody. They just need to win.

“But this is a good barometer game for the Cowboys because they haven’t beaten anyone with a winning record.”

Yea, because the three “barometer games” the Arizona Cardinals had against Carolina, Philadelphia, and Minnesota last October, November, and December respectively meant a whole lot. In case you forgot, the Cardinals ran through the NFC West with ease, but they lost to virtually every good team in the NFC (except you know who) in the regular season.

In fact, they were blown out by the Eagles and Vikings. Heck, they were also embarrassed by the Patriots in that all important month of December. You know, when the contenders supposedly separate themselves (writer rolls eyes).

But guess what, all of these barometer games for the Cardinals meant nothing.

Squat.

Zilch.

Nada.

You know why? Because they piled the wins against bad NFC West teams and a few others and got in the playoffs. Just win and get in. Knowing where you are as a team in October, November, and December means nothing. The only place where you need to be is in the playoffs and those start in January.

The Cardinals clinched and then beat three good teams in a row. First Atlanta. Then they blew away the Panthers and outslugged the Eagles in an exciting game to win the NFC.

Did it matter that everyone wrote them off as a team that couldn’t beat anyone good or win on the east coast? Of course not.

So to reiterate my point: The Cowboys don’t need to worry about being in the conversation. What the heck does that mean anyway?

To me that presupposes that what writers and commentators say in October matters. I seriously hope that the Cowboys players don’t give a hoot about whether an opinionated “mediot” anoints them as a top contender in October or in any month for that matter.

The Cowboys just need to win to keep pace in the playoff hunt. Whether a win over a good Falcons team makes them “legit” or not is irrelevant. The Cowboys can win this game 3-0 or 56-55. It doesn’t matter. Pile up the wins and get in the playoffs. That’s where you make your money.

Now the Cowboys don’t have the luxury of an easy division so they can’t pile wins off bad teams alone (but they need to when they get the chance just like they have done so far).

They will have to beat good teams like Atlanta and Philadelphia simply because they are on the schedule and for no other reason. Not for respect. Not for the “all important privilege” of being considered an "elite team."

Really, as a Cowboy fan I just want them to win. I have seen too much football over the years to understand that how good or bad you look does not mean anything until January. Heck, even if you “look bad” in January and still win, it still doesn’t mean anything.

All I ask for the Cowboys is to not beat themselves. Cut down penalties and turnovers because these are almost always inexcusable. Other than that just fight and win.

If they fail to execute and lose a couple of battles up front, that’s fine. I can live with that. Just stick around until the fourth quarter and win. Keep doing the latter and all is fine and dandy.

Like Tony Romo said a few weeks ago: being crowned a midseason champion/contender means nothing (or something like that). Glad to know the quarterback gets it.

Remember, being talked about doesn’t get you in the playoffs, but winning does. Sorry to be Mr. Obvious.

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