NFL 100: A Spotlight
From the late 1960's to the early 1980's the Dallas Cowboys would enjoy immeasurable playoff success, culimating with two Super Bowl wins under head coach Tom Landry. By the late 1980's however, the Boys were in decline as many of the stars were aging and new leadership was needed in Big D. Including new blood in head coach.
On February 28th, 1989, the Dallas Cowboys were bought by business tycoon Jerry Jones. Jones first action of business was to fire long-time head coach Tom Landry and fire general manager Tex Schramm as Jones would assume GM duties. Landry's replacement was Jones' teammate at Arkansas and University of Miami (Florida) head coach Jimmy Johnson.
The 1989 season would finish as the worst in franchise history as the Cowboys finished with a 1-15 record. That was the bad news. The good news was that during the season the Cowboys traded their only pro-bowl player in Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings in one of the most lopsided trades in sports.
The trade would send Walker to the Vikings in exchange of five veteran players as well as a whopping eight draft choices that would lead to the Cowboys drafting Emmitt Smith. Walker would last in Minnesota until the end of the 1991 season.
The Cowboys would rebound from 1989 to finish 1990 with a 7-9 record. In 1991, they finished with a 11-5 record, their first winning season since 1985 and into the playoffs. They would win against the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round before losing to the Detroit Lions in a 38-6 rout in the Divisional playoffs (the Lions first playoff win since 1957). The Cowboys were getting better and the world could only dream how far they could go.
The 1992 Cowboys would have the 2nd best record in the NFC with a 13-3 record. They easily handled the Philadelphia Eagles 34-10 in the divisional round. They would beat the San Francisco 49ers in Candlestick Park with a 30-20 win enroute to their first Super Bowl appearance since Super Bowl XIII. They easily handled the Buffalo Bills in a 52-17 blowout to win their 3rd championship in franchise history.
The 1993 Cowboys would see the same success as the year before except for some controversy. Emmitt Smith wanted a new contract and Jerry Jones wouldn't budge. As a result Smith would holdout. After an 0-2 start, Jones would give in and give Smith a new contract. The Cowboys would finish the season with a 12-2 finish. They would beat the Green Bay Packers 27-17 in the divisional playoffs and win their 2nd consecutive game against the 49ers 38-21. Dallas would win back-to-back Super Bowls as the Cowboys beat the Bills 30-13. It would seem that the Cowboys would stay on top for quite a long time, but it would not be the case. Jimmy Johnson would resign from Cowboys head coach a month after Super Bowl XXVIII.
The Cowboys appointed Barry Switzer, the former Oklahoma head coach, to be on the sidelines for Dallas. Switzer would be a complete opposite from Johnson in terms of control and discipline. He would delegate more control to his coaches and wouldn't lay down the law in the locker room. The Cowboys in 1994 would finish with a 12-4 record and a playoff win against the Packers but wouldn't finish the three-peat as the 49ers would get their revenge over the Cowboys.
In 1995, the season would be full of drama as Barry Switzer's relationship with Cowboys quarterback, Troy Aikman, would be under the microscope. Nevertheless, the Cowboys finished with a 12-4 record and would beat the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers enroute to their 3rd Super Bowl in four years. They would beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17.
From 1996 to 1999 they would win only one playoff game and finished with a 10-6, 6-10, 10-6, and 8-8 record in those years respectively. Barry Switzer would be let go after the 1997 season. Dallas wouldn't win another playoff game until the 2009 season.
The 1990's Cowboys were one of the biggest "what-if" scenarios in NFL history. What would've happened if Jimmy Johnson stayed on as head coach after the 1993 season? It would be hard to say but one thing is for certain, the Cowboys haven't had the same kind of success since then. Let alone win a Super Bowl since 1995. Granted it helps if you have a lot of draft picks and the personnel to utilize those draft picks and orchestrate the talent. Their place in NFL history is assured.
Chicago 24, Detroit 20: TW: Bears; CV: Bears
The redemption of Mitchell Trubisky! The Mitch finished the game with 338 yards with three touchdowns while throwing an interception. He easily had one of his best games, perhaps he finally is getting some confidence. Devin Montgomery did fine in the ground game with 75 yards rushing. David Blough got his first NFL start in this one, finishing the game with 280 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Bo Scarbourough was the leading rusher in the game with 83 yards. They may be out of the playoffs but that can be a good thing to help build Trubisky up a bit.
All-time series: Bears lead 101-74-3
Next week: Chicago: vs Dallas (Thursday); Detroit: @ Minnesota
TW: 1-0; CV: 1-0
Buffalo 26, Dallas 15: TW: Cowboys; CV: Bills
Typical Cowboys fashion. They play down to their competition. Josh Allen finished the game with 231 yards with a touchdown. John Brown would also throw a touchdown on a 28-yard pass play. Allen would also score a rushing touchdown while running it for 43 yards. Devin Singletary would run the ball for 63 yards. Dak Prescott threw the ball for 355 yards with two touchdowns while throwing an interception. Ezekiel Elliot racked up yards but didn't score a touchdown as he ran for 71 yards. Buffalo should earn some respect after this win for sure.
All-time series: Cowboys lead 8-5
Next week: Buffalo: vs Baltimore; Dallas: @ Chicago (Thursday)
TW: 1-1; CV: 2-0
New Orleans 26, Atlanta 18: TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Saints get their 3rd straight division title. Drew Brees wasn't slinging the ball like he used to but he threw the ball for 184 yards with a touchdown. Alvin Kamara ran the ball for 61 yards but didn't score a touchdown. Taysom Hill would score a rushing touchdown with 33 yards on the ground. Matt Ryan threw the ball for 312 yards with two touchdowns while throwing two picks. Devonta Freeman ran the ball for 51 yards. Hopefully your Thanksgiving was fun with lots of food and good company.
All-time series: Falcons lead 53-49
Next week: New Orleans: vs San Francisco; Atlanta: vs Carolina
TW: 2-1; CV: 3-0
San Francisco 17, Baltimore 20: TW: Ravens; CV: 49ers
While the game wasn't shown in my area, but rest assured, this game was a really stellar one. Jimmy Garoppolo threw the ball for 165 yards with a touchdown. Raheem Mostert had a really good game on the ground with 146 yards with a touchdown. His longest run was for 40 yards. Lamar Jackson scored the touchdowns this game for the Ravens with both his arm and legs. Jackson threw the ball for 101 yards with a touchdown while running the ball for 105 yards with a touchdown. Justin Tucker would hit a 49-yard field goal to win it for the Ravens. If this was a potential Super Bowl preview, this would be a worthy candidate.
All-time series: Ravens lead 5-2
Next week: San Francisco: @ New Orleans; Baltimore: @ Buffalo
TW: 3-1; CV: 3-1
Tampa Bay 28, Jacksonville 11: TW: Buccaneers; CV: Jaguars
HOLY SHIT! JAMEIS WINSTON DIDN'T THROW AN INTERCEPTION! Jameis Winston finished the game with 268 yards but didn't throw a touchdown in the game either. Peyton Barber would provide the offensive touchdowns for the Bucs with two while running the ball for 44 yards. Devin White would score a touchdown on a Nick Foles fumble. Nick Foles was pretty bad in the game as he threw for 93 yards with an interception. He would get benched in favor of Gardner Minshew. Minshew threw the ball for 147 yards with a touchdown but also threw an interception in the game for Jacksonville. Much too late for Jacksonville.
All-time series: Jaguars lead 4-3
Next week: Tampa Bay: vs Indianapolis; Jacksonville: vs LA Chargers
TW: 4-1; 3-2
Tennessee 31, Indianapolis 17: TW: Titans; CV: Colts
The Titans continue to have success with Ryan Tannehill as quarterback. Tannehill didn't have a 300-yard game but did well enough to put up 184 yards passing with two touchdowns. Derrick Henry had a good day on the ground as he racked up 149 yards with a touchdown against the Colts defense. Tye Smith would score a touchdown on an Adam Vinatieri blocked field goal. Jacoby Brissett threw the ball for 319 yards with a touchdown but threw two interceptions in the game. Nyheim Hines ran the ball for 22 yards with a touchdown while Jordan Wilkins ran the ball for 47 yards. If the Titans get in the playoffs, this team can get dangerous with their balance on offense.
All-time series: Colts lead 34-17
Next week: Tennessee: @ Oakland; Indianapolis: @ Tampa Bay
TW: 5-1; CV: 3-3
Washington 29, Carolina 21: TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
When the Redskins defense held Christian McCaffrey to 102 total yards. Dwayne Haskins was more of a field manager in this game as he threw 147 yards with zero touchdowns while not playing smart in throwing no interceptions. Derrius Guice ran the ball for 129 yards with two touchdowns while Adrian Peterson ran for 99 yards with a touchdown. Kyle Allen threw the ball for 278 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. McCaffrey ran the ball for 44 yards while Kyle Allen ran the ball for 22 yards with a touchdown. What's wrong with Carolina?
All-time series: Redskins lead 9-6
Next week: Washington: @ Green Bay; Carolina: @ Atlanta
TW: 5-2; CV: 3-4
Philadelphia 31, Miami 37: TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
This was certainly a surprise. Carson Wentz threw the ball for 310 yards with threw touchdowns and an interception. Miles Sanders ran the ball for 83 yards but wouldn't score a rushing touchdown. Ryan Fitzpatrick had one of his best games of the season in this game as he threw for 365 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Matt Haack, the Dolphins punter, would throw a touchdown to Jason Sanders, the Dolphins kicker, in the game as well. Patrick Laird would run the ball for 4 yards but would score a touchdown but Albert Wilson ran the ball for 31 yards. Philly needs a defense.
All-time series: Dolphins lead 9-6
Next week: Philadelphia: vs NY Giants; Miami: @ NY Jets
TW: 5-3; CV: 3-5
NY Jets 6, Cincinnati 22: TW: Jets; CV: Jets
That long shot that I said in the Picks post on Wednesday turned out to be a pretty good shot. Sam Darnold threw the ball for 239 yards but didn't throw a touchdown in the game but didn't get picked off either. Le'Veon Bell could only put up 34 yards on 10 carries. Andy Dalton threw the ball for 243 yards with a touchdown in his return from an injury. Joe Mixon ran the ball for 44 yards with a touchdown. The 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns can sleep easy tonight knowing the Cincinnati Bengals won't go 0-16.
All-time series: Jets lead 17-10
Next week: NY Jets: vs Miami; Cincinnati: @ Cleveland
TW: 5-4; CV: 3-6
Green Bay 31, NY Giants 13: TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The Packers offense responded with a great game. Aaron Rodgers threw the ball for 243 yards with four touchdowns in the game, certainly better than last week for sure. Jamaal Williams ran the ball for 41 yards with zero touchdowns. Daniel Jones threw the ball for a touchdown and threw three interceptions in the game. Saquon Barkley ran the ball for 83 yards while not scoring a rushing touchdown. Always enjoyed snow games even if it was slushy snow.
All-time series: Packers lead 34-26-2
Next week: Green Bay: vs Washington; NY Giants: @ Philadelphia
TW: 6-4; CV: 4-6
Cleveland 13, Pittsburgh 20: TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
Rest in peace my Browns to the playoffs prediction in the preseason. Baker Mayfield threw the ball for 196 yards with a touchdown while throwing an interception (note that it was late in the game). Nick Chubb ran the ball for 58 yards while scoring no touchdowns in the game. Devlin "Duck" Hodges threw the ball for 212 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Benny Snell had another good game with 63 yards with a touchdown. Freddie Kitchens with the "Pittsburgh Started It" t-shirt definitely makes you quite a role model for your players indeed.
All-time series: Steelers lead 76-59-1
Next week: Cleveland: vs Cincinnati; Pittsburgh: @ Arizona
TW: 7-4; CV: 5-6
LA Rams 34, Arizona 7: TW: Rams; CV: Rams
To rebound from a 45-6 loss to the Ravens last week, this Rams team made quite a bit of strides. Jared Goff threw the ball for 424 yards with two touchdowns. Todd Gurley ran the ball for 95 yards with a touchdown as well. Kyler Murray could only put up 163 yards with an interception and would score the only touchdown for the Cardinals with a rushing touchdown. Kenyan Drake ran the ball for 37 yards. The season might be lost but at least get some spark for next season if you're the Rams.
All-time series: Rams lead 42-38-2
Next week: LA Rams: vs Seattle; Arizona: vs Pittsburgh
TW: 8-4; CV: 6-6
LA Chargers 20, Denver 23: TW: Chargers; CV: Broncos
The game was a bit entertaining than the other two late games but heartbreaking for Chargers fans... if they still have any. Phillip Rivers threw the ball for 265 yards with two touchdowns while throwing an interception. Melvin Gordon almost ran for the century mark at 99 yards with zero touchdowns scored. Drew Lock got the start for Denver and finished the game with 134 yards with two touchdowns as well as one interception. Phillip Lindsay ran the ball for 58 yards for the Broncos. At least you'll be moving into a new stadium next year Chargers.
All-time series: Broncos lead 68-52-1
Next week: LA Chargers: @ Jacksonville; Denver: @ Houston
TW: 8-5; CV: 7-6
Oakland 9, Kansas City 40: TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The game was over by the time Oakland put up 3 points to get themselves on the board at around 5:45 pm (central time), then CBS switched it to Chargers-Broncos. Derek Carr threw for 222 yards with a touchdown while throwing two costly interceptions. Josh Jacobs did have a nice game on the ground with 104 yards on 17 carries. Patrick Mahomes did fine, stats wise with 175 yards with a touchdown pass. The Chiefs running game did all the scoring as Darwin Thompson was the leading rusher with 44 yards and a touchdown. Patrick Mahomes and LeSean McCoy would also score a rushing touchdown with 25 and 10 yards respectively on the ground. Not quite the game that people were hoping for in this ancient rivalry.
All-time series: Chiefs lead 67-53-2
Next week: Oakland: vs Tennessee; Kansas City: @ New England
TW: 9-5; CV: 8-6
New England 22, Houston 28: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
By the time the Patriots got back into striking distance, the game was already too late. Tom Brady started off slow but finished the game with 326 yards passing with three touchdowns and an interception. James White would have a decent day on the ground attack with 79 yards rushing. DeShaun Watson threw the ball for 234 yards with three touchdowns while throwing no interceptions in the game. Duke Johnson was the leading rusher for Houston with 36 yards. Could there be no repeat for the Pats? Who knows.
All-time series: Patriots lead 10-2
Next week: New England: vs Kansas City; Houston: vs Denver
TW: 9-6; CV: 8-7
Minnesota 30, Seattle 37: TW: Seahawks; CV: Vikings
The Kirk Cousins interception cost me a win in fantasy football! Cousins did fine in the game nonetheless with 276 yards passing with two touchdowns. Dalvin Cook ran the ball for a low number of 29 yards with a touchdown though. Anthony Harris would get a pick-six on a play close to the line of scrimmage as he had to go 15 yards to go grab it and run it in for a score. Russell Wilson had similar numbers as he threw for 240 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The tandem of Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny overmatched the Vikings defense as both runners racked up 102 and 74 yards respectively with a touchdown each. Vikings fans can argue about the PI no call but when your "great defense" gives up that much rushing yards, you might have to look yourselves in the mirror and admit that you lost. Good game though.
All-time series: Seahawks lead 11-5
Next week: Minnesota: vs Detroit; Seattle: @ LA Rams
TW: 10-6; CV: 8-8
The Records (By Week & Year):
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-4
Week 8: 11-4
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 2-11
Week 11: 12-2
Week 12: 9-5
Week 13: 8-8
Overall: 116-77-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 5-10
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 7-7
Week 8: 14-1
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 5-8
Week 11: 10-4
Week 12: 10-4
Week 13: 10-6
Overall: 119-72-1
See you guys/gals on Wednesday for the Week 14 Picks post!
-Tom
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