Saturday Night NFL: Dallas at Tampa Bay

In 6 of the 7 close wins for the Cowboys since Garrett became head coach, they also trailed in the fourth quarter (and the other one was tied at one point). So while that information is presented (I assume) to indict the Cowboys and Garrett for their late game failures, the truth is more that Dallas has played in a bunch of close games, with frequent late lead changes.

How does Dallas rank in the number of tight games they have played? Since Jason Garrett became the head coach, Dallas is 7-8 in games decided by 8 points or less, and has only played 6 games decided by more than 8 (going 5-1). That ranks as the most over the last 21 games, ahead of Denver and Washington (14 close games) and Cleveland (13).

Now, we can criticize Garrett for his sometimes conservative approach, as his owner did after the New England game, and after I did against Arizona. If anything, criticize Garrett for not coaching to gain larger leads earlier, and for the team in general lacking a killer instinct, so that the defense doesnt give up leads, and the offense extends them. The problem is they too often let them come down to the fickle hand of late game fate and the legs of kickers.

If there is one team that can be blown out, it is tonight’s opponent. Tampa Bay is 4-3 in close games, but 0-6 in games decided by more than 8 points, with half by 27 or more points.

[photo via Getty]