Read the opposing arguments from Babe Ruthless and Loyal Homer.
The Dallas Cowboys are 1-4 and are a full two games back from even climbing out of the NFC East cellar, let alone contending for a playoff spot. They have a lousy rushing offense, averaging only 95 yards per game, and join Miami and Buffalo as the three teams in the NFL to score only one rushing touchdown on the season.
But at least they are not the Minnesota Vikings.
I can appreciate the fact that the Vikings have a better record than the Cowboys, and that the Vikings actually BEAT the Cowboys last Sunday. But if we are talking about identifying the team that is in most need of a panic-driven overhaul, I have to agree with Loyal Homer that it is indeed the Vikings.
I will agree with Babe Ruthless’ sentiment that coaching in Dallas is a real issue. As a head coach, Wade Phillips has never accomplished remarkable things, even though he has been blessed with remarkable talent. He has instead inherited great teams, and accomplished only the average with them.
He has coached players like John Elway, Shannon Sharpe, Steve Atwater, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, and most recently guys like Terrell Owens, and Tony Romo. He has led teams like the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys on to a career record of 82-58 (VERY respectable) during the regular season, but his playoff record is a horrible 1-5.
For as much as Wade Phillips should be replaced in Dallas, though, there is a difference between needing a coaching change and needing an overhaul.
The Dallas Cowboys, struggling though they may be this season, are just a few mistakes and special teams plays away from being 4-1, or even 5-0.
They lost to the Redskins without giving up an offensive touchdown (a fumble returned for a touchdown was the difference for Washington). An excessive celebration penalty late in the game against the Tennessee Titans set up a game-winning score for Chris Johnson. If not for a 95 yard kickoff return by Percy Harvin the Cowboys would have potentially put away the Vikings.
Realistically, the Cowboys are still just a few plays away from finding themselves right back in contention. Felix Jones is getting better every week, and the combination of Tony Romo and Miles Austin is one of the most exciting and talented passing duos in the entire league. They are a potent offense that can put points on the board, and despite their record, have a defense that has allowed the fourth fewest yards per game.
That does not sound to me like a team in need of an overhaul.
By comparison, the Minnesota Vikings are in a very bad state right now. The main reason for that is because they have mortgaged their entire future on this one season. As Loyal Homer points out, there is no tomorrow for the Vikings. This is it.
In fairness, we knew they were going all-in this season before it even began when they sacrificed any value they could have realized from training camp by patiently waiting for Brett Favre to make a decision on whether or not he would return one more time. But then they lost their top receiver, Sidney Rice, to a hip injury (and are HOPING to get him back by mid-season) and Percy Harvin, has been battling migraines all season long.
Then, when Favre did make the decision to come back for one last chance at glory, it became evident very quickly that he was not going to repeat the magic of his 2009 campaign.
Last season he had a career best passer rating of 107.2. This season he is on course for a career worst with a rating of 72.1 (only his 1995 season in Green Bay was worse, at 70.9).
Last season marked the ninth time in his career that he was able to pass for more than 30 touchdowns. This season he has tossed only six touchdowns in five games, which could have him on pace to match his career low of only 18 touchdowns in a season.
Last season Favre set a career low with only seven interceptions all season. This season he already has seven interceptions and still has 11 games left to be played.
It just doesn’t seem like Favre wants to be on the field any more. Injuries are now clearly taking their toll, and the resurgent allegations of inappropriate texting provide nothing more than another distraction that the ailing Favre doesn’t need.
But as Loyal Homer brings up, the Vikings HAVE to stick with Favre, because after him is no one else. Tarvaris Jackson has instilled confidence in no one, and I didn’t even know who Joe Webb was until this debate came along.
Sure, the Vikings brought in Randy Moss, who still has big-play potential every time the ball is snapped. But let’s be honest, a Favre-to-Moss passing combination does not NEARLY have the punch it would have ten years ago. Even if Moss can capture some magic at the receiving end of Favre’s arm, the Vikings have made it clear that they have no immediate plans to keep Moss around after the season draws to a close.
Dallas still has a lot of young talent at the core of their roster. Dallas has proven that, despite a poor showing in the standings, they are capable of performing very well week in and week out. The Vikings, on the other hand, have cashed in all their chips for this last roll of the dice, and so far, the gamble has not paid off.
So panic, purple people. Today may seem bleak, but if this win over the Cowboys does not help to turn things around quickly, tomorrow can always be worse!
Posted by Bleacher Fan 
