TheDailyBlitz.com

You can only play the opponents that are on your schedule. So, it would be unfair to criticize the Dallas Cowboys for beating their past 3 opponents even though San Francisco and Seattle are horrible. Before those games, however, it was known that their schedule would get much tougher in December. Although the post-bye week games in November weren't "must-win," they were "can't-lose" games.

Despite winning those 3 post-bye games and creating more of a "we're back" type of excitement for Cowboys fans, injuries to Marion Barber (toe) and DeMarcus Ware (knee) would have sapped all the enthusiasm out of another win had their injuries appeared more serious. Barber's initial x-rays (halftime and end of 3rd quarter) were negative and Ware wanted to go back into the game.

"I wanted to go back out there, but they told me no," said Ware, who had his knee iced and propped on the bench after he left the game.

Counting playoff games, the Cowboys are 10-16 in the months of December and January since 2003. They are 10-13 in the regular season and 0-3 in the post-season in those months since 2003.

Their final four games of the season are at Pittsburgh, home against the Giants and Ravens and then at Philly. Definitely four tough games against playoff-bound (or caliber) opponents, but the first 2 of those 4 are even tougher than the second 2. As a Cowboys fan, I would be thrilled with a split heading into the home (and Texas Stadium) finale with a 9-5 record.