Cowboys Can't Be Fooled By the Jacksonville Jaguars Record

I’m here to warn Cowboy Nation that they can not take the Jacksonville Jaguars lightly. I’m not that worried because we have the better, more talented team. The Cowboys can not think that the game will be handed to them because they stepped on the field. That might have been a concern and this could very well be considered a “trap” game. I believe the two game losing streak will help us regain our focus and return to dominance.

I was born a Cowboys fan in the heart of Washington DC. I lived behind enemy lines waving the blue and silver for more than 30 years. Like a crazy romantic-comedy movie, I began a relationship with a woman from Jacksonville, FL and that’s how I began keeping one eye on Jaguars football. We relocated to Jacksonville, I bought season tickets and we went our separate ways. The first regular season game in 2006, the Cowboys played here in Jacksonville.

Thinking a Cowboys victory was guaranteed, my spirit was crushed as quarterback Drew Bledsoe threw three interceptions. The Cowboys lost 24 – 17 to a team led by quarterback Byron Leftwich. The Jack Del Rio coached Jaguars showed me something that has been consistent since their inception under coach Tom Coughlin – solid defensive effort.

The Jaguars finished 8 – 8 that year, while the Cowboys went 9 – 7 and lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the infamous wild card game. Afterwards, I gave up my season tickets and began my quest to see the Cowboys play in every NFL stadium. Offensively, the Jaguars may not light up the scoreboard – it’s the only stadium I’ve been in where the crowd has a chant after getting a first down.

I longed for a rematch and it came when the Cowboys (1 – 6) hosted the Jaguars (4 – 4) on October 31st, 2010. This time the Cowboys were led by Jon Kitna and Jaguars finished with four interceptions. The final score was 35 – 17, but it wasn’t that close. The Jaguars entered the fourth quarter leading by a score of 28 – 3.

The Cowboys made Jaguars quarterback David Garrard look like Troy Aikman, Joe Montana and Johnny Unitas rolled into one. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was fired two games later and the Jason Garrett era (some would say – experiment) began. The Cowboys finished 6 – 10 for the season while the Jaguars went 8 – 8.

I’d like to think that the Jaguars are in a rebuilding period. They have a lot of young, explosive players on both sides of the football. Their rookie quarterback Blake Bortles has a big arm and isn’t afraid to throw it deep if given time. Cowboys’ cornerbacks Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick and Sterling Moore better be prepared to keep up with Jaguars receivers Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns, and Cecil Shorts III.

Former University of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is now the Jaguars starting running back. Robinson is used as a wide receiver as well and will provide a matchup nightmare if he gets one on one against a linebacker. Similar to playing Washington on Monday Night, being on the NFL’s main stage in London, brings out the best in a team. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jaguars pulled out all of the stops to win this game: Onside kicks, fake punts and triple reverses. The Cowboys are going to get the Jaguars best shot.

If the Cowboys underestimate the Jaguars at all, they could end up looking like the Cleveland Browns. The team that provided the Jaguars with their lone win this season. The Browns lost 24 – 6 to the Jaguars a week after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 – 10. It’s not a game that I consider to be a “must win”. The Cowboys should play to win this game in a dominant fashion to make a statement before going into the bye week.

Looking back, I believe that the Arizona Cardinals would’ve been a tough game with a healthy Romo and our complete offensive line. This game is different. Great teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat – and for the Cowboys (at least, this year) the Jaguars are one of those teams.