Dallas Cowboys 2008-01-15 22:46:26 | By: Tyler Clifton The search for a playoff win continues, as the Dallas Cowboys fell victim to the New York Football Giants on their home turf Sunday in the NFL divisional playoffs. Now the nay sayers can feast on Tony Romo and his off-the-field escapades with the blonde whose name I refuse to ever type in anything I write. People fail to realize this football team hasn't won a playoff game since 1996 and has lost six straight overall in the postseason, including the first four with quarterbacks not named Tony Romo. Terrell Owens delivered a heartfelt message to members of the media Sunday evening, saying it's not fair how Romo's actions are magnified in such a negative manner. No matter what you think of Owens, he's right. Owens has been a model of consistency on and off the field in 2007 and went the entire season without an incident (unless you consider his comments about the aforementioned blonde as detrimental to the team). The penalties, particularly false starts that killed drives and suspect defense and special teams are why the best NFC team in the regular season will now be sitting home. It's not the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last. Such is the parity in the NFL, and no matter what anyone says, it's a good thing. It's also difficult to beat a team three times in a given season, no matter who it is. New England could be the only team to play anyone five times this year and beat them all five, but they're a rare exception. Eli Manning isn't posting lights-out numbers, but he's been consistent and isn't forcing the issue with a bad pass that loses the game. The defense is one of if not the best in the NFL and entered Sunday's game with a league-high 53 sacks. Things are magnified in the playoffs, no matter what the sport, no matter what level the playing field is. Field goals rarely aid a team in the postseason unless they are game-winning in nature or are (in the NFL's case) in overtime. Sunday was upset Sunday with the Chargers and Giants both winning games many thought they wouldn't. Both head north this week, and it's not a bad thing for the Giants, who have now won nine straight on the road since they lost Sept. 9 at Texas Stadium. Don't forget New York's game against New England in the regular-season finale. They could match up again in three weeks, and rest assured, the Giants won't be intimidated at Green Bay, no matter how good Brett Favre's record is. San Diego has the bigger chore in trying to beat the Patriots on their own turf, and they must have a healthy Philip Rivers to do so. Teams will focus heavily on the LaDainian Tomilinson and the run and will force Rivers to win the game, although not having a healthy Antonio Gates will take its toll. Could Eli and not Peyton Manning keep the Super Bowl in the family and advance to the 42nd addition? Only time will tell, and it would be an interesting match up against San Diego, the team he wouldn't play for after being drafted. There are several story lines for all the four teams remaining in the NFL. A fourth title and the label of dynasty for the New England Patriots, a second championship for the ageless Brett Favre, Norv Turner getting the Chargers over the hump his predecessors (and hearing the endless shrieks of Josh Lewin all the way to the end zone) were unable to or Michael Strahan coming out of possible retirement to win the big game. As far as the Dallas Cowboys are concerned, all fingers will point to Wade Phillips, who is now 0-4 all time in the playoffs. There was one bright spot with the emergence of Marion Barber in his first start. Many people (myself included) thought moving Barber ahead of the underachieving Julius Jones should have been made many games ago. It's not a bad place to start for 2008, and America's Team has all the tools to make another significant run and continue what this 13-4 team did. Terry Glenn's return will add another significant threat to Romo's group of receivers. Dallas usually has productive drafts, and the extra pick from Cleveland will be helpful, despite the fact it's in the 20s due to the Browns' recent success. The team's biggest losses, should they occur, will be offensive coordinator Tony Sparano (not Soprano) and Jason Garrett. They have been and will be courted by several teams in need of a head coach. The departure of one or both of these men might shake things up a bit, but like Romo addressed during the post-game circus, it's still the same players. The philosophy might be different, but the same players.
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