The Cowboys looked like they weren't ready for the bright lights in Detroit, but owner Jerry Jones sees it a little differently.
There was a common thought during the Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Detroit Lions that in the first half, coach Brian Schottenheimer's team didn't look like it was ready for "that" environment.
A playoff atmosphere, on the road, mistakes, and turnovers plagued Dallas and made it look like it wasn't ready for such a big spot in what would be a 44-30 loss.
Granted, that wasn't the case in the two weeks prior, with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs being beaten by Dallas, but in Detroit? The Cowboys were down 27-9 early in the second half.
So, the eye test suggested Dallas wasn't ready for a game of that magnitude. ... and that the Lions, having been deep in the playoffs the past couple of seasons, were more battle-tested.
Does owner Jerry Jones agree?
"No, I don't see that,” Jerry said. “I think they were at home, but boy, we quietened that group down. We got there within three [points], we were within striking distance. We were there ready to win the game. It was disappointing, very frustrating, not only thought that we had a great chance to win, although we were on the road and we were at their place.
"It's been tough for us in Detroit, but I'm not so sure I hang too much value on that. We should have been able to look and be more productive.”
So, Jerry thinks the Cowboys weren't overawed by the occasion, but their play, particularly early with the penalties, turnovers, and the questionable play on defense, for some, proved otherwise.
The Cowboys just didn't give themselves a shot early in the game to make it a contest, and yes, they did come back to be within three points, but when a stop needed to be made, Dallas couldn't get it and was run through by the Lions' offense.
So, credit does go to Dallas - now sitting at 6-6-1 and still chasing 8-5 Philly for the NFC East lead - for not throwing in the towel and fighting it out to the end.
Of course, the Eagles having lost three straight games now adds to the pro-Cowboys justification. (Dallas' best bet for the playoffs is to finish 10-6-1 while Philly splits its last four, leaving it at 10-5 and behind the Cowboys for the NFC East title.
Jones, speaking from New York on Tuesday 1053thefan on the Eagles losing to the Chargers on Monday said he's “Real excited. They didn’t even need to put any fuel in the plane. I flew up here on my own.
“We sure got a shot at this thing.”
Jerry insists his Cowboys are ready for the bright lights. It didn't feel like it in Detroit. Maybe he'll be right during the four-game final stretch run. ... and maybe the Eagles keep shriveling up in that same shine.