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A realistic look at Cowboys’ path to playoffs: Could Dallas sneak into final Wild Card?

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A realistic look at Cowboys’ path to playoffs: Could Dallas sneak into final Wild Card?


FRISCO — The Cowboys are tied with San Francisco as the NFC enters the stretch run.

Dallas has a better record than the Cincinnati team it prepares to host on Monday Night Football.

If this scenario had been presented back in September you would have been convinced that the Cowboys were sitting pretty.

Now?

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Not so much.

Sure, this modest two-game winning streak has given the team a desperately needed jolt of confidence. It even has Micah Parsons suggesting a playoff run.

Parsons knows how to drop opposing quarterbacks. But his command of the current standings can be called into question.

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The problem with having the same record as the 49ers is that 10 teams in the conference have a better record than Dallas and San Francisco at the moment. Seven teams make the playoffs.

The best path to the postseason is to win your division. The Cowboys find themselves five games behind NFC East-leading Philadelphia with five to play.

One more Cowboys loss or one more Eagles win eliminates Dallas from the division race. The only viable path is as a Wild Card. That starts with the division rivalry between Dallas and Washington.

Dallas has the head-to-head advantage here based on their chaotic win nine days ago. But the Commanders currently own a three-game lead in the win column.

Let’s say the Cowboys are somehow able to tie or pass Washington on the final weekend of the regular season when the teams next meet. That would allow Dallas to finish second in the division.

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What are they up against at that point?

The NFC North is the most top-heavy division in the NFL. Detroit (11-1), leads the way followed by Minnesota (10-2) and Green Bay (9-3). Those three teams appear to be locks.

If the Cowboys edge past the Commanders — a big if — they will still trail the Vikings and Packers in the Wild Card.

Atlanta and Tampa Bay sit atop the NFC South with 6-6 records.

Seattle leads the NFC West with Arizona and the LA Rams on their heels. Both of those teams have 6-6 records.

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The best-case scenario is that Dallas secures the seventh and final playoff spot in the conference. To do that, the Cowboys must pass Washington and the second-place finishers in the South and West.

A daunting task is a kind way to characterize what the Cowboys face in December. Still, going into the month with a two-game winning streak is better than the alternative.

Head coach Mike McCarthy welcomed his players back to The Star on Monday after a three-day break. After getting back into their strength and conditioning work, the players departed for their annual December visit of area hospitals.

Why this year’s Cowboys visit to area hospitals resonated more than most

The team is off Tuesday and has a light workout on Wednesday — McCarthy said it will be about 60-65% of a normal workout — before hitting a normal practice week on Thursday.

“I feel it’s real important to try to make this a mini-bye for what’s in front of us,’’ McCarthy said. “That’s what I’ve learned over my experience of playing on Thanksgiving, so that’s really what we’re trying to accomplish.’’

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And the mindset?

“It’s great,’’ Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin said after his visit to Children’s Health in Dallas. “To come out with two wins, especially on Thanksgiving, it’s huge for our football team moving forward to give us some confidence, give us some momentum.’’

Oh, one more scenario. What happens in the unlikely event the Cowboys and Niners finish in a two-way tie for the final Wild Card spot.

San Francisco advances.

Happy Holidays.

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Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. through the Super Bowl.

Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN

    Why this year’s Cowboys visit to area hospitals resonated more than most
    Cowboys injury report: Jake Ferguson ‘close to coming back’; Trevon Diggs progressing

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.



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Dallas, TX

Petar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2

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Petar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2


For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.

Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.

The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.

Key Moments

7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.

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21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.

38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.

43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.

45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.

75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.

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Instant Reaction

Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.

With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.

About the Subs

Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.

Man of the Match

No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.

Where does this fit into the season

As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.

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What’s next for FC Dallas

Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.



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Dallas, TX

Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft

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Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft


Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.

His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.



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Dallas Hosting Public Safety Response Symposium

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Dallas Hosting Public Safety Response Symposium


The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.

The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”

The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

Topics for the symposium include:

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  • How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
  • How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
  • When to use 311 for non-emergency services
  • How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies

There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.

Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.

When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).

RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.





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