The Train Wreck Known As The Dallas Cowboys

Let's give credit to where credit is due first.  Wade Phillips has a 34-20 regular season record as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.  To put that in perspective, five of those losses came this year including Monday's 41-35 loss to the New York Giants at home on national television.  Bill Parcells, one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history, had a 34-30 regular season record as the Cowboys head coach in four seasons with an 0-2 playoff record.  The big knock against Phillips is his 1-2 record in the postseason with the Cowboys.  But now, Dallas could be looking at a season similar to the Dave Campo era (three 5-11 seasons) after beginning the 2010 season at 1-5.

Phillips has always been criticized as being soft and a "yes" man but his teams have always performed during the regular season.  Not this year.  And to add insult to injury (or should I say, "injury to insult?"), All-Pro Quarterback Tony Romo is out 6-8 weeks because of a broken collarbone.

So how does the rest of the season look for the Cowboys?

• 10/31 - Jacksonville:  I'll give the Cowboys the win at home but it looks like David Gerrard will be back.
• 11/7 - At Green Bay:  I'll give this one to the Packers at Lambeau Field.
• 11/14 - At N.Y. Giants:  If the Cowboys can't beat the Giants at home, they won't beat them in N.Y.
• 11/21 - Detroit:  I'll give this one to the Cowboys but the Lions are highly motivated and improved.
• 11/25 - New Orleans:  As bad as the Saints seem sometimes they are still better than the Cowboys.  Loss.
• 12/5 - At Indianapolis:  Peyton Manning.  Loss. 'Nuff said.
• 12/12 - Philadelphia:  This is the first week that Romo could be back, but that's highly unlikely. Vick should be back. Loss.
• 12/19 - Washington:  I'll give the Cowboys the benefit of the doubt and a season split with the Redskins. Win.
• 12/25 - At Arizona:  A Christmas present for the Cowboys. Win.
• 1/2 - At Philadelphia:  If all goes well, Romo should be back.  Philly could be resting starters if they make the playoffs. Win.

I have the Cowboys winning four more games to end the season at 6-10.  That's if they are swept by the Giants and split with the Eagles and Redskins.  Losses to the Packers, Saints and the Colts are by no means a given, but it's going to take a lot of luck.

Keep in mind that Jerry Jones fired Chan Gailey after an 8-8 season back in 1999.