Monday Night Quarterback: Five Reasons Why Dallas Will Not Win the Super Bowl

For the past couple of weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have prepared to face off against one of the National Football League’s most dangerous football teams, the Tennessee Titans.

They have a potent rushing attack and an underrated passing game led by quarterback Vince Young.

The Cowboys were coming off of a bye week and a huge victory against the Houston Texans, so this matchup with Tennessee played well for a team with hopes of becoming the NFL’s first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium.

But Dallas can’t seem to get out of its own way. Yesterday against Tennessee, the Cowboys racked up an impressive 12 penalties for 133 yards; in fact, according to ESPN.com, the Cowboys 133 penalty yards are the team’s most since 2006.

Needless to say, the Cowboys didn’t fare so well with over 10 penalties against the Titans and lost the game 34-27.

So now the Cowboys have fallen to 1-3 and are in dead last in the NFC East.

Ummm, how bout them Cowboys, huh?

Still think that Dallas can make it to the Super Bowl? Well, here are five reasons why I think they will not.

1. Jason Garrett and Wade Phillips

These two gentlemen are two enigmas: One is the former backup quarterback for Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman and the other is a journeyman head coach and defensive coordinator.

Garrett went all pass happy again and dialed up 46 passing plays against 23 running plays and Wade Phillips tried to blitz the Titans off the field.

This combination of football coaches that the Cowboys have going just isn’t working. It may be time for a change come end of the season, Jerry.

2. Penalties

That’s it—nothing more and nothing less.

The Cowboys racked up 133 yards due to penalties, sports fans...penalties.

From Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins' pass interference calls to the Cowboys offensive line compiling a number of false start and holding flags, this Dallas team seems about as focused as a drunk driver.

If the Cowboys fail to cut out the mental mistakes and stupid errors then I’m quite sure they’ll be sitting at home come February.

3. Offensive Line

After Tony Romo was sacked for the 4,376th time, Wade Phillips finally decided to yank Leonard Davis and replace him with Montrae Holland.

Remember that this is the same group of linemen who almost got Romo killed up in Minnesota last season.

The Cowboys offensive line is aging before our eyes and if Tony Romo makes it through the rest of the year with no assistance from a wheelchair or crutch then color me shocked, sports fans.

4. The Cowboys Defense

For years, one of the strong points for the Cowboys was its defense. They were aggressive, strong, stout, and scary.

But yesterday, they looked soft and unsettled.

For the second straight week, the Cowboys allowed a 100-yard rusher and the secondary was diced up by the dangerous arm of Vince Young.

Pro Bowl cornerback Mike Jenkins was out of control as he grabbed a couple of quick penalties to start the game and he probably had the worst game of his short Cowboys career as well.

Keith Brooking missed a key tackle on Titans reserve running back Javon Ringer and the Titans gained 321 total yards. I think Dallas may have a serious oil leak.

5. Mental Toughness

When it comes down to it the, Dallas Cowboys lack the mental fortitude to overcome certain obstacles.

Jerry Jones said that this Cowboys team responds to outward criticism.

Well Jerry, I think your team needs to respond after a loss no matter what people on the outside or inside are saying about them.

The Cowboys were warned about the Titans and their ability to crawl under the opposing team’s skin; Dallas also had plenty of tape to study of Chris Johnson.

After watching yesterday’s game between the two teams, it seems that the Cowboys took all of a day or two to study Tennessee.

Even though Dallas stands at 1-3 and are bringing up the rear in the NFC East, they still have a shot to make it to the playoffs. The East isn’t the strongest conference in the NFC this year and the conference as a whole is wide open.

What concerns me the most about this Dallas team is its mental toughness. Penalties and errors have plagued this team under Wade Phillips and we have no reason to believe that this will change anytime soon.

Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, that next Super Bowl trophy probably will not arrive until the next regime comes.

You can listen to Jason’s radio show, “Monday Night Quarterback,” tonight at 8pm ET on www.blogtalkradio.com/cowboyjay.

Follow him on twitter @THenProject.