It's about 11 pm on Friday night in California right now -- 1 am in Arlington.

The house is quiet. The kid's in bed. She knows how big tomorrow is -- after all, I've been talking about it all week. She's a newly-blossoming fan, the next-generation who will carry on after I go.

I've watched countless videos, read countless articles this week. I've remembered every game this year, tried to think it through over and over.

This week has been way too long.

The past 14 years have been way too long.

My stomach is roiling with that odd breed of nerves and sickness that comes only with a playoff game.

Winner moves on toward greatness, loser folds up and awaits yet another off-season.

Sometimes this week, I've pictured it, heard it inside my own head. The ESPN rabble, the self-dreamed game tape, over and over: turnovers, missed opportunities, the Eagles come out with a quick start, "Dallas may have exorcised it's December demons, but it's playoff drought continues."

I can literally see and hear that in my head.

But more often than that, there's been a different thought.

"The Boys lived up to their hype with a huge playoff debut this year and a three-peat against arch-rival Philly."

All cylinders. From the start.

True team effort.

I don't care what the media say -- although I can hear it in my head. But what matters is what I see on that field, and I can almost -- almost -- see that greatness again, people. That crushing, brilliant, team-oriented play that further lights a fire under this team's already-fired-up ass and starts to catapult us deeper, higher, toward everything that nobody thought we could do this year.

This great Cowboys team humbly and demonstrably giving a big, fat, wonderful f-you to the world.

This is what I so want.

This is what I've wanted for so many years with you.

And this is why I'm up late, my stomach a little sick, my head reeling.

I'll dream all night.

This week has been too long. So too will this night be.

Go, Cowboys. You've shown such heart this year. Because as much as I want it for me -- and the next-generation kid and fan sleeping down the hall -- I want it most for you.

"This is all we need! This is all we need!" -- Cowboys LB Keith Brooking

I'm being honest here.  I live in California, so I see fewer Cowboys games than many of you.  I follow the tape and team regularly, but here's my thing:

I see tons of comments about how great Ogletree is, but I can't see the proof.

Can someone please provide some real, tangible insight here?

7 receptions for 96 yards.  Some impressive catches.  But why all the adulation?

- Better moves/route-running?

- Better blocking?

- Better overall effort?

- Why is he not first-string is he's so allegedly great?

- What does he offer that other receivers don't (aside from RW)?  In other words, don't just say "better hands." 

What exactly is it that makes everyone say "Free the Tree"?

Just curious.  Right now, it seems like an Ogletree Famly Mafia presentation, so I'd really like to hear from the experts here.

And yes, that includes you, Dunkman.

Specifics, please.

Thanks.

The three I'd least like to face, as of now, in order from least-favorite match-up down:

San Diego:  On-fire, lots of weapons, could stretch our defense very thin.

Indianapolis:  They have some inner turmoil right now, but Manning, receivers and experience would serve them well.

Cincinnati:  This would be an ugly, low-scoring affair -- we've pulled some of those out this year, but this might be a different deal.

Thoughts?

I tend to be vocal and very outspoken, yes.

Just curious as to who here is going to admit they wrote "Raf and staff" and why.

Again, just curious -- I just want some honesty here.

Adding this to make it long enough to publish:  no offense to OCC intended.  I am just not a believer in stats, per Mark Twain's take on it.  I stand by my previous predictions, which didn't rely on stats.

Would I love being wrong here against the Saints?  You bet.

I still can't see how our D stops the Chargers.  We'll keep up -- but just not enough.

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It's about November and January, more than anything.

Sure, if we win out in December, we're probably golden.  The problem is, 3 of our 4 December games look brutal.

12/6 at Giants

12/13 vs. Chargers

12/19 at Saints

12/27 at Redskins

Okay, I've said this before and, while I'm a huge fan, I see serious problems ahead with those first three games.  Yes, even the Chargers, folks.  The Giants and Chargers will both be finding their stride again (the Chargers already are), and they will have serious things to play for, just like us.  Even the Redskins, in MD, might present an issue, if our confidence is shaken after a few losses.

I personally have gone on record as saying we lose all three.  If it happens, the MSM will freak out, pointing to "December" again.  Many of the posters here will freak out too.  Everyone will point fingers.

But you see, it's already pretty easy to predict.

And while it would be bad, it's not everything.  What people forget about is the "rest of November" (yes, there's life after GB).

While they are not gimmes (nothing is), wins against Oakland and Washington should be manageable.  That makes us 8-3.

1-3 in December?  We're 9-6 and probably right on the cusp.

January matters -- one game, against the Eagles, in Texas.

Win and in -- probably.  Lose, based on the other predictions?  We're gone.

So yeah, December matters.  But November and January are key here, too.  Seems obvious now, but it won't be at the end of the season.

I wonder if people are still wondering why I called ATL a must-win game?  ;)

Anyway, my two cents.  Cheers and go Boys.

I'm not complaining much about the officiating today -- it all comes out in the wash, most of the time.  Today, GB beat us good with a good amount of help from ourselves and the injury bug.

What I want to share is this: http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2009/09/timespicayune_analysis_of_last.html

It's pretty fascinating, and the search engine of their data is pretty enlightening too.

I suggest taking the time to read it and comment here, if you want.

I'm not big on "coulda woulda shoulda" but I was looking at something interesting tonight and thought I'd share.

Have a look at all the teams that have one or two losses already:

Denver Broncos:  Lost their one game by a total of 23 points.

Minnesota Vikings:  Lost their one game by a total of 10 points.

New England Patriots:  Lost their two games by a total of 10 points.

Cincinnati Bengals:  Lost their two games by a total of 26 points.

Dallas Cowboys:  Lost their two games by a total of 9 points, against a NYG team that was hot at the time, and against a Denver team that remains hot.

The only 2-loss team that can top that?  Pittsburgh Steelers:  Lost their two games by a total of 6 points.

Lots of other dynamics and stats at play, of course, but I thought this was interesting -- we haven't yet been "blown out" (10 or more points), but Denver, Minnesota, and Cincinnati all have been, though they may have one less loss.

Consistency?

We'll see!

Enjoy the win!  I know I am!

The most powerful, motivational, and smart move the Cowboys could make at this moment is to bench Roy Williams for the Philadelphia game.

Hear me out.

Our opinion of ESPN does not matter.  It doesn't matter if they have a bias against the Cowboys.

The intent behind Roy's comments does not matter.  He's been around long enough to know that the media will twist anything and everything in order to create a story.

The fact is this:  Roy opened his mouth to reporters when 110 percent of his words and deeds should have been directed at either/both Romo and the coaching staff, in a productive manner.

The message should be sent by the Cowboys:  we WILL NOT tolerate internal team dynamics to be made public.  It is public knowledge that TO was let go primarily because of the dissent his brought to the locker room.  To tolerate this -- even just a little bit -- moves the line back yet again.  It sends a signal that one individual is greater than the team at large.

That attitude needs to be stamped out, with a vengeance, and right now, to reiterate our commitment to "team first."

It will also be a huge boost to the other leaders on this team -- Ware, Brooking, Witten, Ratliff, and more -- when they recognize that the "team first" concept -- the very thing THEY have been fighting for -- is indisputably in place.

For management to remain passive and/or quiet on this will no doubt subtly undermine those individuals who are doing their best, on the field and on the sidelines, to take this franchise to the next level.  Ever expect your wife, husband, partner, whatever to have your back in a unified front?  Um, yeah. 

This might create problems for the Philly game -- and obviously important game.  Then again, if he hasn't stepped up yet, how much will RW's absence affect us?  It removes another threat, sure -- but I don't think a ton of teams are centering their game plans around RW, right now.

Demonstrate to Roy -- and the rest of the world -- that with Romo, Witten, Bennett, Crayton, Austin, Choice, Barber and Hurd -- we have enough to get a win over Philly.

Because we do.

And imagine the focus, discipline and respect with which those true teammates will take the field at the Linc.

Many of us say "Cupcake". . .we blather on about wanting a tougher-minded coach. . .but when something like this happens, we blame ESPN and make excuses for an underachieving wide receiver.

Time to man up.  Act like the team we are and want to be.

Do what's radical.

It will pay off.