IRVING – Someone please remind me never to trust this team again. In their biggest game of the season – maybe of the Bill Parcells era – the Cowboys failed miserably.
With a division title and a home playoff game on the line, they rolled over and played dead in Monday's 23-7 loss to the Eagles.
Parcells called his team "non-competitive," which is not a flattering description for a so-called playoff team. That he even brought up the word "championship" while discussing his club's prospects seemed almost laughable.
This defense has gotten progressively worse when it should be peaking, and any hope that the offense could continue to compensate vanished in the face of what once appeared to be a vulnerable Eagles defense.
Apparently, all of this could've been avoided if Tony Sparano had simply called more plays for Terrell Owens early in games. After dropping yet another pass early in the third quarter that may have gotten the Cowboys back into the game, T.O. wanted to know what took coaches so long to get him involved.
That he was doing so while wearing a Santa hat didn't help.
"Everybody knows what I do," T.O. said. "Every team I've been involved with, I've been involved early and often. It's hard to get into a flow when you get a ball here and a ball there."
It's a fair point.
Let him get those drops out of the way early and then he'll be ready when the game's on the line.
The Cowboys are used to T.O.'s delusions of greatness, but on Monday, he was joined by wallflower Terry Glenn, who told The Dallas Morning News that he didn't think the Cowboys were "trying to win."
The only saving grace in this whole situation is the pathetic state of the NFC, which might feature the worst 13-2 team in league history.
The only good news I can come up with is that maybe playing somewhere other than Texas Stadium isn’t such a bad thing.
Now, continue reading for more holiday jeer:
Things I jotted down on my 8½ x 11¾-inch notepad: Like I've always said, the best way to impress a woman is to become the starting quarterback for the Cowboys.
When being linked to Jessica Simpson got old, Tony Romo did what any man in his shoes would do: He planted rumors that he was dating former American Idol champ Carrie Underwood.
It didn't take NBC long to find Underwood, in part, because she was on the field during pregame warmups.
With end zone seating scarce, the country music sensation sought refuge in Jerry Jones' luxury suite.
NBC's exclusive Carrie Cam provided memorable shots during the first half. In the second half, Underwood appeared to be rethinking her decision to spend Christmas afternoon away from friends and family in Oklahoma. …
T.O. took time out of his busy holiday schedule to drop by the Eagles' team hotel and play dominoes with some of his former teammates on Christmas Eve. According to sources close to the Marriott Corp., Eagles players Greg Lewis, Reggie Brown and Rod Hood joined T.O. in the business center to drop some bones.
"Those are my friends," Owens said after the game. "That shouldn't have any bearing on the game."
In T.O.'s defense, he showed up at the stadium in a holiday-themed outfit and threw candy, some of which was caught by children. …
Jerry Jones entered a crowded elevator following the game and said, "Santa got hit by a plane tonight." Fortunately, there were no children in the elevator. …
Australian punting great Mat McBriar said his family had already begun celebrating Boxing Day (Dec. 26) in Melbourne. This is a national holiday that focuses on two of America's favorite pastimes: sailing and cricket. McBriar's father, an accomplished sailor and owner of a 30-foot vessel called Fast Forward, was heading out to watch a race after the Cowboys game. …
I've spent a lot of time talking to Jason Ferguson over the last two years and I've never seen him more discouraged than he was after Monday's loss. He kept talking about how "lackadaisical" the defense had been. Fergie, as his teammates call him, said the defense wasn't even aware of down-and-distance at times. …
And if you want to hear something really scary, one member of the Cowboys' offensive line told me the line had a great day of pass-blocking. …
What a feeble attempt that was by linebacker Bradie James on the Eagles' final touchdown. While Correll Buckhalter was banging in for the 1-yard score, James was hopping straight into the air. It was one of those plays on which you try to fool people into thinking you're giving great effort. …
If you're looking for a silver lining, Eagles fullback Thomas Tapeh didn't have a breakout game. …
The awkward holiday man hug award goes to Eagles return specialist Reno Mahe and me moments after the game. "I remember you from the Super Bowl!" he shouted. Before the Eagles played in the Super Bowl two years ago, I spent a week in Philadelphia for a feature on what it meant to the city. When I stopped by one of the city's most famous bars to conduct some interviews, I found out that Mahe, a devout Mormon, used to serve as a host during the off-season. He made $7.25 an hour. …
Best sign at Texas Stadium: "I Hate Myself for Loving T.O." Second-best: "I promise to be good next year. Love, T.O. …
I remember the days of Tony Romo making the long walk up the Texas Stadium tunnel to his car. On Monday, he had a Texas Stadium official drive his Ford Explorer near the locker room for a quick getaway. …
Great call by ESPN 103.3 pregame analyst Bryan Broaddus, who said we should watch to see if Miles Austin had any trouble securing the ball with his injured left hand. Austin wasn't carrying the ball on that side when he fumbled, but he normally would've been since he was on the left sideline and being pursued from the right side. …
Parting shot: Maybe it's just me, but when your team gets embarrassed on national TV, it may not be the best time to wear a Santa hat during the post-game interview session.
E-mail mmosley@dallasnews.com
