Cowboys vs. Redskins: Dallas' Narrow Victory Proves Why They Aren't for Real

We fall for the Dallas Cowboys every season. Just when they have you hooked, they yank their pole as soon as we go for the bait.

Not this season.

Defeating the lowly Washington Redskins 27-24 in overtime proves to me that they aren’t for real in 2011.

Washington has now lost six games in a row and seven of their last eight. They lost to the 2-8 Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles at home, Buffalo Bills and at the 3-7 Miami Dolphins.

The Cowboys are benefiting from a weak schedule right now. They need to win these games. Even though it was a win, I still believe it shows more negatives than positives.

This is the same Redskins team that is thin on running back and doesn’t have a true No. 1 quarterback.

I refuse to believe they are for real until they prove it to me with a couple of playoff victories. We hear about the collective talent level and how they are finally starting to gel but I don’t see it finally breaking through this season.

The Cowboys have recorded one playoff victory since 1997 and hasn’t won two playoff games since their Super Bowl season in 1995.

When do you overlook the Cowboys past when discussing the present? They fool us every year.

In 2011, they started 2-3. In 2010 ,they started 1-7. In 2009, they were trounced in the Divisional round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings 34-3. In 2008, they started 8-4, but finish 1-3 and missed the playoffs. We have seen this rodeo before. It is constant disappointment.

This season won’t be any different.

They still have two games against the NFC East-leading New York Giants with the final game of the season being played in the Meadowlands.

People are sleeping on the Miami game on Thanksgiving Day. There are few teams that are playing as well as the Dolphins are. They have won three straight after starting 0-7.

The Arizona Cardinals won’t be an easy game. Arizona has been playing well in the past few weeks, starting against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Cowboys will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15. Tampa Bay has given them problems in the past, especially on the road. 

Philadelphia will be visiting the Cowboys in Week 16, and that will be a game that is circled by the Eagles as their Super Bowl. They will come in and try to ruin the Cowboys season if they're out of contention.

The Cowboys are a team you can’t trust. They have teased before and they will tease again. It’s not if it will happen, but when.