Dallas Cowboys: How the 'Boys Will Do in the Dreaded Month of December

I don’t think there’s any statement more exaggerated by NFC East fans than “Tony Romo can’t win in December.” 

To be fair, he is 6-10 in the month of December. Nothing to brag about, but realistically we all know that Romo isn’t the reason they lost all 10 of those games.

In years past, the Cowboys often faced their toughest opponents in the month of December. They have faced 12-win teams back-to-back, or division rivals who always give the Cowboys a tough game. I don’t think many can point and say the Cowboys have underachieved in December.

But the fact remains that they have a losing record—something opposing fans will point out whenever they get the chance to.

This December, the Cowboys will clash with four mediocre teams.

Will Romo continue the solid streak that he’s established in the past few weeks, or will we have another trip on the “Romo-coaster”?

December 4th, at Arizona

It’s still cloudy on whether Kevin Kolb or John Skelton will play for the Cardinals this Sunday.

The Cardinals are optimistic that Kolb will return, but we won’t know until we see if Kolb can practice during the remainder of the week.

The Cardinals are 4-7 and have split the four home games they’ve had thus far.  

America’s Team has always traveled well to Arizona, and this is also the time of the year when losing teams see their fans sell their tickets more than ever.

Expect home-field advantage to be a non-factor in this one.

On the field, the Cardinals are ranked in the bottom half of the league in scoring, rushing yards per game, and passing yards per game. Regardless if it’s Skelton or Kolb under center, they will have a tough time against DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys defense.

The defense is also in the bottom half of points allowed and yards allowed per game.  This should allow Romo and company to be able to move the ball effectively against this below-average defense.

Overall, the Cowboys should pick up this victory—as long as they don’t punt the ball to Patrick Peterson.

December 11th, Hosting the New York Giants

This is one of the games that will help clear up the playoff picture for the NFC East.

If the Giants lose to the Packers and the Cowboys defeat the Cardinals, the ‘Boys could clinch the division with a win against the Giants.

The Giants and Cowboys split their games in 2010. Wade Phillips’ Cowboys were embarrassed in Dallas, whereas Jason Garrett’s team shocked the Giants in New Meadowlands.

Both teams have changed dramatically since last season.

The Giants are struggling with Ahmad Bradshaw out of the game, but it looks like he’ll be healthy in time for the trip to Dallas. Hakeem Nicks is still a big weapon on the outside and will give the Dallas secondary a fit.

The Cowboys will introduce DeMarco Murray to the Giants for the first time and hope to have a healthy Miles Austin to stretch the field. Laurent Robinson is in the same position, as he’s proven to be an upgrade from Roy Williams of last season.

The reason this game is so hard to predict is because both teams are inconsistent.

The Cowboys have had great games like the one in San Francisco, but they were embarrassed against the Eagles. Meanwhile, the Giants have looked great against the Patriots, but didn’t show up against the Saints.

The key to this game is if Miles Austin will be able to return from injury. The Giants secondary have had issues when teams have multiple weapons on the field. If Austin is able to return, I don’t see how the Giants will be able to cover him, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Robinson all at the same time.

Chalk this one to the Cowboys.

December 17th, at Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been quite the disappointment this season.

Currently at 4-7, the Bucs are 31st in total yards allowed, and quarterback Josh Freeman has already thrown 10 more interceptions than he did all of last season.

The Bucs have no problem moving the ball, but the apparent regression of Freeman has been doing nothing but hurt the Bucs.

This is a trap game for the Cowboys if they start looking forward to the big rematch with the Eagles.

By this point in the season, the Bucs could very well be eliminated from the playoff picture, which only makes them more dangerous.

Look for the Bucs to have one of their best games of the season against the Cowboys here. The trap game will shock some, and the Cowboys will drop the game to Tampa Bay.

December 24th, Hosting Philadelphia

The Cowboys won’t say it out loud, but this is a revenge game for a defense that was exposed on national television in Week 8.

Since Week 8, the Eagles have taken a nosedive, dropping games to the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots.

What remains the same is that the Eagles are still a tough matchup for the Cowboys.

Their speed on offense is too much for this defense that lacks it. LeSean McCoy is still able to get around the corners on this defense, and DeSean Jackson has a reputation of scorching America’s Team on any given day.

Even in Dallas, I don’t see the Cowboys matching up with the Eagles like they did last season.

If you blitz Vick, Jackson will get behind the secondary. If you play it safe, McCoy has another stellar day.

Sorry Cowboys fans, I can’t see a victory here.