Game, Set, Match: Cowboys Lose More Than a Game Against the Chargers

Out-manned. Outplayed. Out-coached. Out of options.

The Dallas Cowboys entered today's game against Norv Turner's San Diego Chargers with no margin for error. Then, with a first down on the San Diego goal line and four runs up the gut, each one stuffed by a charged up Charger's defensive front, they committed the first major error of the day...and the one—along with another missed field goal by Nick Folk—that would leave them on the short end of a 20-17 final score.

Once again, the Cowboys' running attack was able to chew up big chunks of yards, but then proved inept at the goal line. Once again, the defense played well, but not quite well enough—especially when they needed to get a stop in the fourth quarter and instead gave up a clock-eating, six-minutes-and-change drive. Consequently, the Dallas Cowboys lost another December contest.

The loss of the game could prove to be a minor detail in light of the fact that the Cowboys' best player on either side of the ball, DeMarcus Ware, suffered a serious enough injury to require being strapped to a gurney and carted off the field and to a local hospital. The initial reports appear hopeful, but Ware's immediate future and return will remain in doubt for awhile.

Meanwhile, as the Chargers charge through another December (they are now 16 - 0 in the month of December under Norv Turner), the Cowboys stagger into New Orleans next Saturday, currently the toughest place in the NFL for a visitor to get a win.

The Cowboys, to be sure, remain in the thick of things where the NFC East and the wildcard are concerned. However, they no longer have absolute control of their destiny. Should the Eagles beat the Giants, Philadelphia will move into first place in the division. If the Giants win, things are all knotted up in a three-team tussle that will likely not sort itself out until week seventeen.

Jerry Jones was visibly upset in his owner's box after the Chargers kicked the field goal with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter, essentially sealing the victory. He appeared to toss his pen or some other object. Another week, another squandered opportunity by his team to improve their playoff prospects. It may finally be too much for even Jerry to justify keeping Phillips around another year.

So, the Cowboys lose a game. They lose sole possession of first place in the NFC East. They potentially lose their best player. Jones loses his composure. Could it be that the Teflon coach will finally lose his job?

If another miserable December means no more Wade Phillips excuses, this loss may prove to be addition by subtraction...and no real loss at all.