IRVING – Jerry Jones spent the third quarter on the sideline clapping his hands, encouraging his players and exhorting his team to win its first NFC East title since 1998. It did no good.
By the middle of the fourth quarter, the owner had returned to his suite to watch the final minutes of the Cowboys' Christmas Day debacle.
"A game like this indicts us at the top just straight through," Jones said. "It's disappointing. ... I'm disgusted. I really am."
He has every right to be after the Cowboys' pitiful performance. Philadelphia beat Dallas, 23-7, and, frankly, the score really wasn't that close. The Eagles, like New Orleans two weeks ago, could've picked a score.
That's embarrassing for a team capable of competing for a spot in the Super Bowl considering the mediocre nature of the NFC. But you can't trust this team. Not from week to week. Or quarter to quarter. Sometimes, not even from play to play.
Subtract Dallas' four-game winning streak and this team is 5-6 this season, hardly the picture of consistency. Bill Parcells certainly has no idea which version of the Cowboys is going to show up on a given week.
Neither do the players. Or the owner.
That's one of the reasons Jones was seething after the game. He's weary of the inconsistency and wasted opportunities. Two games ago, a win over New Orleans would've given Dallas an inside track on the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Dallas lost, 42-17. On Monday, a victory would've clinched the NFC East title. This time, the Cowboys lost by 16 points.
Blame the coach.
It's his responsibility to get the players emotionally, physically and mentally ready to play. Clearly, Dallas wasn't. Maybe being home for the holidays was a distraction. Or maybe it's an immature team not ready to play when the stakes are highest. It's not like anyone on this team has ever won a playoff game wearing a Cowboys uniform.
"You can't play like that and not be disappointed. There is not anything really good to say," Parcells said. "I have to take responsibility, because the team didn't look like it was ready to play."
That's an understatement.
Philadelphia's defensive line manhandled the Cowboys' offensive line, which meant Tony Romo and the running backs never had an opportunity to succeed. One third-quarter drive provided a microcosm. Andre Gurode snapped the ball over Romo's head on first down. Then came consecutive illegal procedure penalties by Marc Colombo and Flozell Adams, followed by Marco Rivera giving up a sack on third down.
The defense played worse. Philadelphia totaled 426 yards, converted nine of 16 third downs and kept the ball for 37:06. Dallas couldn't even beat Cedar Hill playing that poorly on defense, especially with William Cole's sweet moves.
Big-time players are supposed to show up in big-time games, but Roy Williams was a nonfactor. So was Terrell Owens, unless you count his drops.
Terence Newman and Bradie James didn't distinguish themselves, and Adams struggled much of the game.
The Cowboys also played without passion. Before the game, Jones walked around the locker room shaking hands and telling his players that the crowd was excited and ready to be a difference-maker.
The fans simply needed the team to provide some impetus. It never occurred. Philadelphia led 7-0 after its first possession. Parcells, sensing his team lacked emotion, went for it twice on fourth down on the Cowboys' second possession.
They made the first one, but Philadelphia stopped Marion Barber on fourth-and-goal from the 1 when rookie fullback Oliver Hoyte watched his man drop Barber for a 3-yard loss.
"We had a walk-in touchdown right there, and [Hoyte] runs right by his man and lets him make the tackle," Parcells said. "That is some of our inexperience showing up. I can't explain it. It's difficult."
It's fair for Jones to cast a discerning eye at Parcells. Two Super Bowl titles don't protect Parcells from the owner's scrutiny. When a team underachieves – make no mistake, Dallas is underachieving – the coach is accountable.
"After tonight, you have to look at the entire organization, and I do," Jones said. "I'm about as frustrated as I've been in my 17 years as owner."
Everyone, including Parcells, should be on edge. That happens when the owner can't stand to watch his team.
E-mail jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
