Refocused Dallas Cowboys control own weather destiny

Last Sunday night in New Jersey the Dallas Cowboys received an updated lesson in how miserable the playoffs can be when forced into bone chilling weather.

The Dallas Cowboys received a much needed gift with their ugly losing performance against the New York Giants last Sunday night.

Players got an updated taste of how miserable it would be to play postseason contests in bone chilling weather.

Some remember the brutal cold lending Green Bay a big advantage in the 2014 playoff loss, while other key starters weren’t around then.

There’s no question harsh winter conditions favor players who live in and practice their craft in those environments.

Rookie Dak Prescott‘s accuracy (46%) was clearly bothered during his worst performance (45.4 QBR) on the pro level.

The game didn’t end with 17 points and 520 yards combined because both defenses are such dominant forces.

Instead two teams were battling the elements and grinding out what little offensive success they could muster.

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WIN TWO AND WEATHER WON’T MATTER

If you play football in Texas, the only guaranteed way to get a fair weather shake in the playoffs is to host the games.

Luckily the 11-2 Cowboys are still very much in control of that aspect. There’s no need to sound alarm bells after one loss in the last 12 games.

With three games remaining, Dallas is the only NFC team that can win 13 games.

To do so the Cowboys need to defeat two teams among Tampa Bay, Detroit, and Philadelphia to claim the NFC East title and NFC’s top seed.

The next two games are at home with weather conditions under control.

However, lose one of the next two and they’d face a must-win back in nasty cold conditions. This time would be Philadelphia in January.

After the Giants loss, there was plenty of blame and disappointment to go around.

Now the players must refocus and make it a two-game season.

“After a loss, all you want to do is get to the next Sunday so you can make up for what you did the week before,” he said. “We’re antsy, we’re eager to get back on the field and get back on track.” – Ezekiel Elliott via DallasCowboys.com

By defeating Tampa Bay and Detroit in controlled Texas weather, Dallas won’t play a meaningful game in unfair winter conditions again this season.