Cowboys in first place in the NFC East. Dolphins in first place in the AFC East.
Cowboys, if taking care of themselves, need to win out to have a chance of beating out the Eagles for the division title and preventing them from becoming the first team to repeat as East champs since they did so from 2001-04. Dolphins knowing winning out would keep the Bills off their tails for their first division title since 2008, the Patriots winning the title the next 11 years after that and the Bills the past three.
The Cowboys struggling away from home, losing their four games this year all on the road. The Dolphins not much better, three of their four losses occurring on the road.
The Cowboys the No. 2 scoring team in the NFL, averaging 30.8 points a game. The Dolphins the No. 1 scoring team, averaging 31.5 points a game, with the help of that 70-point effort against Denver the third game of the season.
Want me to continue?
The Cowboys the No. 6 total offense in the NFL and No. 6 passing offense. The Dolphins the No. 1 total offense and the No. 1 passing offense, against thanks to the 726-yards of total offense against Denver.
The Cowboys the No. 6 NFL team in total defense. The Dolphins No. 5.
The Cowboys No. 2 in point differential, at plus-167, having scored 431. The Dolphins No. 4 at plus-147, having scored 441 points and beating Denver by the inordinate amount of 50.
The Cowboys, by the way, with 40 quarterback sacks, ranking tied for 10th. The Dolphins No. 2 with 48.
See what I’m talking about?
So all this week the talk around here has been all the Cowboys have to worry about when facing these Dolphins on Christmas Eve, 3:25 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium, from inconsequential to me playing on grass – hey, the Cowboys practice almost every day on grass – to having to face Vic Fangio’s defense – what, the Dolphins aren’t worried about Dan Quinn’s defense? – to dealing with Mike McDaniel’s offensive scheme – as if suddenly what Mike McCarthy is doing calling plays this year hasn’t been a factor in these 10 wins.
