Dallas Cowboys fans should know better by now. Whatever cheerful confidence is inspired by an impressive quarter or two of play is destined to be crushed, swiftly and without mercy. So, the team's late-game collapse Sunday afternoon to an Aaron Rodgers-less Green Bay Packers squad was less shocking than it should have been.

The first half went amazingly well, with the Cowboys jumping to a 26-3 halftime lead. The offense was balanced and efficient, the defense stout. Twitter was impressed:

The Cowboys' defense loves Matt Flynn pic.twitter.com/mF6wZ9GtjT — SportsNation (@SportsNation) December 15, 2013

But also wary:

Got myself a good lead to choke away tonight. #GBvsDAL pic.twitter.com/FWXF7XcWiC — Not Tony Romo (@not_romo) December 15, 2013

As the second half ticked away and the tide turned in the Packers favor despite overwhelming odds,

A look at the Cowboys and Packers respective win probabilities in their game today pic.twitter.com/uVHL5GrCsE — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 16, 2013

the Twitterverse was left with a dilemma: Should it blame the Cowboys' porous defense, which gave up five straight second-half touchdowns to Packers backup QB Matt Flynn, for the loss? Or was it the fault of Tony Romo, who threw two picks in the clutch?

Here's the argument for the D, which was back to its normal, Care Bears self:

What the cowboys defense looked like today pic.twitter.com/Avy2yqsjZz — Robert Confer (@BigRobbbb) December 16, 2013

Or was it like a frail old person?

If the #Cowboys offensive line is looking for an endorsement deal, I have an idea... #GBvsDAL pic.twitter.com/mBnciAO4cf — The Irrational Fan (@Irrational_Fan) December 16, 2013

This one gets points for the "Breaking Bad" reference, loses them for making fun of disabled people:

Even this Flynn under center would torch the Cowboys pathetic excuse for a defense pic.twitter.com/uZjhwYctES — Craig Petraglia (@petrags99) December 16, 2013

As for Tony Romo, you have ESPN's SportsNation live-tweeting his meltdown:

Tony Romo pulls a Tony Romo this time! — SportsNation (@SportsNation) December 16, 2013

Tony Romo + December + 4th Quarter = LOL — SportsNation (@SportsNation) December 16, 2013

BREAKING: The NFL announces Tony Romo's highlights will air later tonight on Comedy Central — SportsNation (@SportsNation) December 16, 2013

You have the Atlanta Hawks, long mired in Cowboys-like mediocrity, giving him pointers:

If Tony Romo needs advice in late-game situations, we know a guy he can call... pic.twitter.com/VrfP2NovAm — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 16, 2013

He's even being trolled by Arby's.

All these turnovers have got us craving .... turnovers. pic.twitter.com/mODLSXwg1b — Arby's (@Arbys) December 16, 2013

Of course, one shouldn't lose the forest (e.g. Jerry Jones' chronic mismanagement of the team) for the trees:

This story (from 2009) has legs RT @TheOnion: In Focus: Dallas Cowboys Release Jerry Jones http://t.co/YJyOgikUZb — Texas Monthly (@TexasMonthly) December 16, 2013

The Cowboys are so bad in December Jerry Jones looked like this in October pic.twitter.com/ANazPp0ZLU — Peyton Drinking (@Peyton_Drinking) December 16, 2013

Does it really matter? The Cowboys have once again confirmed everyone's expectations and turned a promising season into a disappointment. Best to take a more philosphical approach, like Fort Worth Star-Telegram beat writer Clarence Hill:

I feel bad for the kids who have only known cowboys futility. To those born after 1995 the SB tradition might as well be Greek mythology — Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) December 16, 2013

On second thought, it's best to just take your cues from this guy: