The Dallas Cowboys are driving top getting into the playoffs after securing the No. 2 seed within the NFC and a 3rd consecutive 12-win season. That’s fairly the feat for those Cowboys, however approach not anything if they may be able to’t wreck their unfortunate streak of bowing out earlier than championship weekend. Whilst Dallas appears to be like poised to no less than make it previous the wild-card spherical (they hope), one fear they must have is the timing of kicker Brandon Aubrey having his first two misses all through the ultimate sport of the common season.
In fact, maximum enthusiasts have blamed the FOX broadcast staff of Kevin Burkhardt (principally KB) and Greg Olsen for the primary mishap. Aubrey had made 35 box function makes an attempt in a row this 12 months and had no longer ignored till his thirty sixth strive all through the primary quarter of Sunday’s win over the Commanders. Each time there’s a streak like that, and the participant in query is getting ready to making historical past, it’s absolute best to not even point out it, within the minds of maximum sports activities enthusiasts.
Superstition apart, this will also be checked out in a few tactics. Some will communicate themselves into believing Aubrey having one kick blocked and outright lacking the opposite used to be a just right factor. He had to get it out of his device earlier than the playoffs. Then, there’s that staff of pessimists who assume Dallas must be nervous. Gary Anderson made 35 box objectives with out lacking one for the Minnesota Vikings in 1998. He in spite of everything ignored within the NFC Championship Sport costing the Vikings a shuttle to the Tremendous Bowl. So, lacking a pair within the seventeenth sport of the common season isn’t just about as unhealthy when put next.
Aubrey at the cash
Then again, something that are meant to be regarding is that Aubrey went 16 video games and not using a pass over. Then within the ultimate sport of the season, with little to no stress in opposition to the flailing Commanders, he misses back-to-back makes an attempt. Fortuitously for the previous football participant, he were given some other shot at redemption and cashed it in. However making one out of 3 after being absolute best all 12 months must be purpose for no less than some apprehension.
In a low-pressure state of affairs in opposition to a staff that knew their head trainer used to be toast, Aubrey had a 32-yard box function blocked and hit the upright on some other. That used to be in opposition to the four-win Washington Commanders. In a sport all the international knew Dallas must and would win through double digits. Now, the truth that they did win the sport and lock up the NFC East identify is excellent, and admittedly, is the one explanation why the Aubrey debacle isn’t a large deal.
Dallas hosts Inexperienced Bay Sunday in a wild-card sport at AT&T Stadium. On paper, the Cowboys must be capable of get rid of the up-and-down (9-8) Packers simply. However as we all know, those video games aren’t performed on paper. Inexperienced Bay used to be ready to win their ultimate 3 contests and grasp the ultimate wild-card spot within the NFC.
Those Packers are scrappy and Jordan Love advanced because the 12 months stepped forward. If Dallas can’t blow this staff away like they’ve finished such a lot of others this 12 months, and this sport is shut past due, they’d be proper to fret about Aubrey. Even in a shootout involving the league leaders in landing passes (Prescott & Love), Aubrey is prone to get a few makes an attempt. You need to wonder whether the ones misses in opposition to Washington will have an effect on him in a stress state of affairs within the playoffs.
Aubrey used to be driving top, in all probability considering this NFL-kicking factor used to be simple. Having made 35 immediately, any person would broaden a sense of invincibility. Lacking two kicks in a sport after making such a lot of will both humble a participant or make him second-guess himself. It’s imaginable he can have nerves of metal and brush that sport off like not anything came about. However there will likely be some hectic moments on Sunday in opposition to Inexperienced Bay, particularly within the seconds main as much as Aubrey’s first postseason box function check out.
