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Alas, the 2019 season for the Cowboys has mercifully come to an end. It was a season that had its share of highs, lows and one horrible loss to the New York Jets. In grand Cowboys fashion, the season ended with a meaningless win over a terrible Washington Redskins team. They finished their season with an 8-8 record. This is befitting for what could be the final game for Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett. We hope.
The Good:
- This was one of the more impressive wins for the Dallas Cowboys this season. Although it was an empty win, the offense played great and the best player on Sunday was wide receiver Michael Gallup. The final game of his 2019 season was a great one that included 98 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He looked like a No. 1 receiver Sunday afternoon and that could come into play with Amari Cooper 's uncertain future with the Cowboys. (More on that in the ugly section)
- Kai Forbath has done a great job since joining the Cowboys. He has made every single field goal and the extra point he has attempted during his brief tenure for his new team. The Cowboys did a great job replacing the wildly inconsistent Brett Maher and could have their kicker for the future. Why it took so long to replace Maher is beyond me, but Forbath has reinvigorated his career with The Cowboys.
- The 2019 MVP for the Cowboys has to be Ezekiel Elliott. He had a great season rushing for over 1300 yards (the third time in 4 years in which he rushed for over 1000 yards) and was 4th in the league in rushing this season. When his game was on this season, no one could stop Elliott. His last game against the Redskins was his second-best performance of the season behind his stellar Monday night game against the Giants. After all of the controversy he caused this offseason, he has more than lived up to his contract. He will continue to be the Cowboys superstar running back for many years to come.
The Bad:
- It was difficult to decide what to put in this category. The bad for me was that the season finale was basically meaningless. As previously mentioned, they put up an impressive offensive performance against the abysmal Redskins. However their offensive explosion proved to be all for nothing. Their victory was short lived, for the Eagles beat the Giants to win the NFC East. This was a team that was expected to do well this season, but unfortunately disappointed all of us every step of the way. There is too much talent on this team to miss the playoffs and finish 8-8. Changes will be coming sooner rather than later this offseason.
- Speaking of disappointments, let's talk about Dak Prescott's 2019 season. On paper, he had a tremendous year throwing of over 4000 yards ( a career-high). His numbers were great, but his performance on the field was mediocre, to say the least. His performance Sunday was another example of how he can only put up superior numbers against a subpar team. Coming into this season, he was looking to receive a contract extension north of 30 million a year. After this season, he will be lucky if he even gets the franchise tag.
- Overall, this game wasn't bad and I couldn't think of much else to put in this category. I would simply be reiterating the same point about their season being a loss, so im going to save that for a future article.
The Ugly
- This really isn't ugly but bittersweet. This could be the final game for multiple Cowboys players. As previously mentioned next season Dak Prescott will be a free agent along with Amari Cooper. I do believe one of these players will find employment elsewhere this offseason, with Cooper being the more likely person to leave via free agency. Jason Witten could also leave this season as he has contemplated retirement again. The theory is he could go into coaching and maybe be the next Cowboys' head coach. But that is a story we can save for the offseason.
- Jason Garrett, all I have to say is good luck to you and your future employment elsewhere. After 10 years of coaching the Dallas Cowboys, it is time to move on and look for someone else to man the helm in 2020. He did not do a bad job during his tenure for he is finishing with a coaching record above .500 and is the seconding winningest coach in Cowboys' history. But the problem with Garrett is that he could never get them over the hump. Three playoff wins in 10 years is not goos and the Cowboys need a confident coach with playoff experience. It is time for both parties to move on and Sunday's victory against the Redskins would be a nice way to end his Cowboys' coaching career.
- This team has Super Bowl aspirations and talent as far as the eye could see. To end the season the way they did with an 8-8 record is unacceptable. 2020 will be a bounce-back year for the Cowboys, and I look forward to seeing what moves can be made this offseason.
The NFL playoffs are finally here, and the Texans will kick off the postseason by hosting the LA Chargers this Saturday at NRG.
And while the Texans are only 3 point underdogs, the national media is making it seem like Houston has no chance against Justin Herbert and company.
ESPN's Rex Ryan has gone as far as calling the Texans a "bye" week for the Chargers, giving the team no chance to win despite playing at home.
However, the Texans are no stranger to this situation, as they were given little chance to win against the Browns in last year's Wild Card game. And we know how that ended, with the Texans thrashing the Browns 45-14.
It's certainly fair to predict the Chargers will come away with a win this Saturday, they have been playing much better football than Houston in recent weeks.
But it's important to remember that home underdogs have performed well in the Wild Card round. In fact, home underdogs are 16-14 all-time in the Wild Card playoffs, and both home underdogs won last year (Texans, Buccaneers).
Speaking of last year, many credit the Texans defense for securing the win over Cleveland, with two pick sixes in the second half helping to seal the deal.
But the real reason Houston won the game was because of CJ Stroud and the offense. Stroud threw 3 touchdowns before halftime and the team was leading 24-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter. That's when the defense tacked on two interceptions for touchdowns and put the game out of reach. Stroud and the offense also went on to score another TD on a Devin Singletary run.
If Stroud and the offense didn't put so much pressure on Joe Flacco and the Cleveland offense to score, he may not have forced those passes that were picked off.
Now, many will point to the Chargers having the best defense (points allowed) this season, but it's worth noting the Browns had the number one defense (yards allowed) last year as well.
Bulls on Parade
Houston's defense will have its hands full against a strong rushing attack led by JK Dobbins. And Justin Herbert has been terrific this season, spreading the ball around to his top two targets, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
Fortunately for the Texans, they are extremely healthy on defense this week. While Jimmy Ward and Jalen Pitre are out for the year, we'll finally get to see linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Christian Harris play together for the first time this season.
The defensive line is expected to be at full strength as well, keep in mind Jonathan Greenard was injured and unable to play against the Browns last year.
Outlook on offense
We should see the best possible version of the offensive line this Saturday. We're all aware how many hits Stroud has taken due to poor o-line play. But with Tytus Howard and left guard and Juice Scruggs at right guard, Stroud should have more time to get the passing game going, featuring Nico Collins.
Speaking of the receivers, it's pretty amazing that this receiver group is almost identical to last year's in the Wild Card round. Stroud didn't have Stefon Diggs (on the Bills) or Tank Dell (injured) to throw to last year, either. But he does have one big addition in Joe Mixon this year. Hopefully, they can get Mixon involved in the passing game, and the shuffling of the o-line provides Mixon with some holes to run through.
X-factor
At least there's a possibility newly acquired receiver Diontae Johnson could provide a spark to the offense. Last year John Metchie and Robert Woods were the main targets besides Collins and Dalton Schultz.
What does Vegas think?
The Chargers are favored by 3 and the total is set at 42.5 points
Don't miss the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap previews this week's big game!