This article went up at 3pm, minutes from the end of the Cowboys’ game against the Rams. Because I refuse to write an article while watching the game (that time is sacred and reserved for beer and chicken wings) this write up is being done before hand…but with the assumption that the Cowboys have emerged victorious over the Rams. While that assumption didn’t work so well last week I have full confidence in my prediction this time around based off what I’ve simmed in Madden 25 (not worth the money by the way, unless you get the Sunday Ticket special version like me, in which case it is totally worth the money).

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I should’ve realized it sooner. I beat the Giants virtually the Friday before we played them and the Cowboys won in real life on Sunday. I got blown out by the Chiefs last week…and the Cowboys lost two days later. This week I won a close game against the Rams on a last second Dan Bailey field goal. You guys are welcome to thank me in the comment section below.

Of course, my Madden exploits probably only have a small effect on the outcome of the game. I’m not actually calling the plays. If I was, that Terrence Williams screen would not have happened last Sunday (Dez on the slant!) and Dallas wouldn’t treat running the ball like it’s a chore their Mom’s been nagging them to do.

Alas, it’s easy to sit here behind the computer screen and take shots. My livelihood doesn’t ride on the outcome of these games.

Last week was a dissapointment, no doubt. But if my time watching the NFL has taught me anything, it’s that patience is key to success in this league. Knee-jerk-reaction commentary abounds (see the week one “revolution” that was the Eagles’ offense and this week’s response to the Trent Richardson trade) but it must be tuned out. To succeed you need to choose a plan and stick to it…no matter what the critics have to say.

This is why I’m an outspoken proponent of Jason Garrett and his “process”. For too long Jerry Jones ran this team with a get-rich-quick mentality. We saw what that did. Finally, he has settled down and listened to a coach with a plan, with a mission. Isn’t that what us fans have clamored for for so long? And how do we respond? By singing the chorus of “same old Cowboys” after the first loss of the season.

This is the NFL, it’s hard. Losses happen. What matters is how you respond to them.

The Cowboys know that this. Garrett has taught them to have the right mentality. Dez Bryant talked about it this week. The attitude in the locker room is different now.

They lost last week, but that doesn’t matter. And neither does what happened this Sunday. The only thing that matters about this season is how it ends. That is the type of thinking Garrett has instilled in his team. It’s also how I approach the season as a fan.

I trust Garrett as a Head Coach. I believe in him because, from what I see, he believes in himself and his system. And the players follow. These aren’t the same old Cowboys.