Interim No More

The hiring of Jason Garrett (above) gives this Cowboys' team hope to compete next season. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)

As bad as the Dallas Cowboys were this season (and they were outlandishly bad), interim head coach Jason Garrett took over mid-season and rallied a beaten and demoralized team to a strong finish. In the midst of the toughest stretch of the season, the eighth coach in Cowboys history guided his team to a 5-3 record -- coaxing the type of team-wide effort from the players that was lacking through the first eight games when Dallas started a dismal 1-7.

His reward? A freshly minted four-year contract, signed late last week, along with a guarantee from owner/gm Jerry Jones of "final say" on all roster moves and each member of Garrett's coaching staff.

"Ultimately, we're going to feel good about the decisions we make as an organization," Garrett said in his introductory press conference as the Cowboys' head coach. "We'll communicate, we have very similar football values and we'll come to the right conclusions together."

This marks a stark contrast to the way Jones has done business as the general manager of this team for the majority of his time as owner/gm of the Cowboys. Jones not only realizes it's time for a change on his part, but the value of Garrett -- and here's why:

Cowboys Take Down Eagles' Backups - 14-13

Demarcus Ware (94), Terence Newman (41) and a stifling Cowboys' defense provided the spark to allow Dallas to squeak out a win against Philly's second-teamers. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

With third-string quarterback Steven McGee making the first start of his career, the onus was on the Dallas Cowboys (6-10) defense to make this a winnable game against the Philadelphia Eagles' (10-6).

The Dallas D proved up to the challenge; forcing four turnovers, accumulating six sacks and scoring a touchdown against backup quarterback Kevin Kolb and the rest of the Eagles' second stringers.

Cardinals Take Cowboys Down A Peg - 27-26

Dallas couldn't overcome two pick 6's, one from Antonio Rogers-Cromartie (29) on the Cowboys' first possession, and kicker David Buehler's extra point went wide left as Arizona won on a last-second field goal. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The Dallas Cowboys (5-10) are still a dumb and inefficient football team.

They may have tried to fool you the last couple of weeks with some strong play but, I assure you, it was all a mirage. Despite out-gaining the Arizona Cardinals (5-10) by over 110 yards and holding the ball for over 16 more minutes than the Cards, Dallas was beaten by a Jay Feely 48-yard field goal with only five seconds left in regulation.

Arizona drove 46 yards with less than 1:45 left in the contest and only one timeout, converting a 4th and 15 along the way against a Cowboys defense that is now ranked 31st in the NFL against the pass.

Cowboys Sneak Past Redskins, 33-30

Cowboys blow 20-point lead, rally late to salvage three-point victory. Jason Witten (above) led the way offensively, racking up a touchdown and a season-high 140 yards receiving. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

When your defense is this bad, even a 27-7 lead in the third quarter against a journeymen quarterback starting his first game in two years isn't safe.

The Dallas Cowboys (5-9) struggled yet again to keep a bad offensive team from lighting up the scoreboard, this time it was newly christened starter Rex Grossman and the Washington Redskins (5-9) who supplied the fireworks. Grossman threw for a career-high four touchdowns, two during the Redskins fourth quarter rally alone, and 322 yards - only the second time in his eight year career he has gone over 300 yards passing.

The Cowboys defense did step up to force a Redskins punt late in the fourth, sacking Grossman two straight times to push the Washington offense back 17 yards to the 8-yard line - setting up the offense in great field position near midfield.

Eagles Sprint Past Cowboys - 30-27

Dallas battled the Eagles all game long but, in the end, DeSean Jackson (10) and the explosive Philly offense was too much to handle. (AP Photo/Canon, Bob Malish)

With two flicks of the wrist, Philadelphia Eagles' (9-4) quarterback Michael Vick made a statement to start the game against the Dallas Cowboys (4-9), and set up wide receiver DeSean Jackson yet again to finish it in the fourth quarter to vault the Eagles to first place in the NFC East.

It's the Eagles first win at Cowboys Stadium and, with the loss, the Cowboys are now officially eliminated from playoff contention.

"It doesn't feel good," Cowboys' owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "They made a couple of big plays that we weren't able to make, but I liked the way we got after Vick, I really did. I like the way that we responded when we got down each time, a whole bunch of good things."

While the Cowboys were able to contain Vick in the pocket, while also putting pressure on the speedy QB, the Eagles quarterback and his favorite target still shredded the Dallas defense.

The People's Choice

In his first meaningful action of the season, Tashard Choice (32) proved against Indy that he should have a shot at carrying the load in the running game for Dallas. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

With four games left in the 2010-2011 NFL season, it's time for the Dallas Cowboys to evaluate their talent going into next year. While winning three of the last four games in nice, at 4-8 on the season, it's time for the Cowboys to make decisions on who's in and who's out going into 2011-2012.

This is true especially at the running back position where Dallas has struggled on the ground for most of the year with a trio of runners who contributed so much last season.

Much of that changed Sunday afternoon in Indianapolis, as Tashard Choice - with Marion Barber out of the lineup with a strained calf - spearheaded a season-best 217 yard rushing attack.

Intercepted - Cowboys Corral Colts In OT 37-34

The Cowboys withstand Colts' charge as Peyton Manning's fourth interception, the second pick of the game from rookie linebacker Sean Lee (above), set Dallas up for the game-winning field goal in overtime. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

In back-to-back weeks now, the Dallas Cowboys (4-8) have a pushed team that played in the Super Bowl just a season ago to the limit in a back and forth contest.

This time, however, the Cowboys were able to come through in the clutch, taking down the Indianapolis Colts (6-6) on the road in impressive fashion.

Costly Decisions

Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett has done a good job in getting his players motivated, disciplined, and ready on game day for the past three weeks; but a few questionable decisions against the Saints on Thanksgiving may have cost his team the game. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

Lost in all of the hubbub surrounding Roy Williams' costly fumble were some dumbfounding calls by interim head coach Jason Garrett.

Don't get me wrong, this is a completely different Dallas Cowboys team since Garrett took over for the marshmallow-soft Wade Phillips; but Thursday's loss against the New Orleans Saints may have been more the fault of the head coach than fans want to realize. In what ended up being a three-point game, every decision counts - especially in situations where points are on the line.

Flash back to the beginning of the second quarter of Thursday's game. Dallas used an 11-play, 50 drive to get to the Saints' 21-yard line with New Orleans leading 17-0.

Snatched Away - Cowboys Comeback Falls Short 30-27

Roy Williams (above just before the fumble) was stripped after a 47-yard catch and run with 3:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, leading to the Saints capitalizing by scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 1:55 left in the game. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune-Herald, Jose Yau)

So close, yet so far away.

After rallying from down 17-0 in the first half and taking a 27-23 lead with under 6 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, some key blunders cost the Dallas Cowboys (3-8) the game against the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints (8-3).

For the third straight week, the Cowboys refused to let adversity stand in their way, clawing back with some explosive plays on offense and a suffocating defense in the third quarter.

Dallas DB's Come Through In Clutch

The injured and beleaguered secondary of the Cowboys stepped up in the second half of Sunday's game against the Lions. (Pictured left: Corner Terence Newman and safety Gerald Sensabaugh celebrate after Newman's interception late in the game. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The much-maligned defensive backfield for the Dallas Cowboys didn't do itself any favors through the first half against the Detroit Lions. Through two quarters Sunday afternoon, the Cowboys' secondary made journeyman quarterback Shaun Hill look like an elite NFL QB.

Hill completed as many passes (20) as the Cowboys offense total plays in the first half, as the Lions appeared poised to steal a record-breaking roadie going into the locker room up 12-7.

Dallas made some adjustments at halftime and cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman (both questionable to start against Detroit due to injury) stepped-up their game the rest of the way.

Cowboys Finally Protect Home Turf, Beat Lions 35-19

Dallas finally gets it's first home win of the season thanks to some timely defense, Bryan McCann, and an outstanding game from Jon Kitna (3). (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The Dallas Cowboys (3-7), two-and-a-half months into the season, have won their first game at Cowboys Stadium, prolonging the Detroit Lions (2-8) record-breaking futility on the road in the process.

In a battle of the win-less (Cowboys at home this season, and the Lions' NFL-record (now 26) on the road), Dallas showed some tenacity and smarts, battling back from down 12-7 with 11:24 in a dominant second half.

Making Miracles Happen

Jason Garrett's insistence on actually coaching and holding players accountable seems to be just what the doctor ordered for the previously uninterested Cowboys. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

One game into his coaching career, Jason Garrett has exhibited the ability to work miracles.

There's no other way to explain it.

It's the only way a team that came into the game having lost five straight games, blown out in the the last two by a combined 58 points, could beat up on the division leading New York Giants - winners of five straight. But the Dallas Cowboys did just that, exuding effort and playing quality football for 60 minutes.

"I thought the intensity was there in all three areas," Garrett said. "Guys were fighting for each other. We were challenged in all areas and I think we stepped up."

All kidding aside, this is a huge step for an interim coach that has been nearly as unpopular as his predecessor throughout the season.

Say What?! Cowboys Dominate Giants 33-20

Say what??!! Jon Kitna (3) led a balanced offensive attack, while both sides of the ball showed some intestinal fortitude against the Giants. A change of scenery had Dallas playing at another level, as new coach Jason Garrett (also above) led a re-energized team to earn his first win as an NFL head coach. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Where was this effort the last three weeks of the season?

The Dallas Cowboys (2-6) played like a team possessed for four quarters against the New York Giants (6-3), blowing out the NFC East leaders with a balanced effort on both sides of the ball.

"We needed this," said Dez Bryant, who had five catches for 104 yards and a spectacular 13-yard contorting touchdown catch in the first quarter. "I knew it was in all of us. I just felt like we had to come together and we did that tonight."

Time For A Change - Packers Win 45-7

Cowboys lose fifth straight game in Sunday night spanking on national television. ESPN is reporting that  Wade Phillips (above) has been fired as the Dallas head coach. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

The Dallas Cowboys (1-7) have made the change at head coach after their worst start to open a season since 1989. Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will take over for Phillips.

"I've got a lot of work to do. I've got a lot of decisions to make and it's not just one, two, three or four," Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said after last night's beat down. "There's several decisions. I think everybody in this country would agree, there's a lot wrong with this team that I've got to address and certainly I'm the one to address it."

Judgment Day

If Cowboys rack up another embarrassing loss tonight against the Packers, expect coach Wade Phillips (left) to receive his pink slip Monday morning. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

I don't care what Jerry Jones says, Wade Phillips will be gone by Tuesday if the team gets demolished tonight - which they will.

Enjoy the game!

It Get's Worse - Cowboys Demolished By Jags 35-17

The Cowboys continued their trend of making opposing offenses look like all-time greats. This time it was the Jaguars and their 22nd ranked scoring offense. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

Even with any hope of playoff contention, the Dallas Cowboys (1-6) still have something to fight for: the title for the worst team in football!

"I'm dumbfounded," owner Jerry Jones said.

I know the Buffalo Bills are 0-7, so technically they are the worst team in football, but I have an overwhelming amount of evidence to prove Dallas deserves to be the worst - starting with today's loss at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4).

Let's delve in, shall we?

A Star In The Making

Rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant (right) was a lone bright spot in disappointing loss. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Just about the only thing to go right for the Dallas Cowboys Monday night was the outstanding play of first-year wideout Dez Bryant. Along with his electrifying 93-yard punt return, the second longest in Cowboys history, Bryant caught two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to give Dallas a minuscule shot at the end of regulation against the New York Giants Giants.

Bryant finished the game with four receptions for 54 yards, two touchdown receptions and a punt return for a touchdown.

"Dez is a spectacular player," soon to be ex-Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said.

Thanks for the insight, Wade.

KO'd

Cowboys blow 20-7 lead, Tony Romo (9) breaks clavicle in ugly 41-35 loss to the Giants. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

Say goodnight, the party's over... for real this time.

For only the fourth time in franchise history, the Dallas Cowboys (1-5) have five or more losses six games into the season. The Cowboys were thoroughly dismantled on Monday Night Football by Eli Manning and the NFC East division leading New York Giants (5-2).

"I'm staying optimistic," Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo said. "This football team has a lot of high-character guys, a lot of competitive individuals who aren't going to give in to a tough situation."

"Staying optimistic?" That makes one of us.

The Cowboys just lost the biggest game of the season to a division rival now four games ahead of them in the NFC East, effectively ending any playoff aspirations for this season. Oh, and Dallas lost it's franchise and Pro Bowl quarterback in the process.

Season On The Brink (Part Two) Tonight At 7:30 p.m.

Tony Romo (left) and the Cowboys will have to drastically reduce their mistakes if they have any hope of turning this season around, and it all starts tonight against the N.Y. Giants. (AP Photo/Andy King)

For the second consecutive week the Dallas Cowboys (1-4) come into a must-win contest. This time, it's the NFC East division leading New York Giants (4-2) visiting Cowboys Stadium on Monday Night Football.

"I'm not worried about division [teams] or anything else," Cowboys' safety Gerald Sensabaugh. "We've just got to control ourselves and play and win."

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, controlling themselves has been the problem.

Sinking Ship - Cowboys Fall 24-21

Wade Phillips (above) and the Cowboys have seen their playoff aspirations crumble after losing to the Vikings and dropping their record to 1-4. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The Dallas Cowboys (1-4) will not make the playoffs. They are simply too stupid.