NFC West

NFC/AFC Championships 2013: Predictions Based on The Football Albums

This weekend, the NFC and AFC Championship rounds will pit such heavyweights as the Baltimore Ravens against the Peyton Mannings, The Green Bay Packers against the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Blinding Highlights against the Atlanta Falcons and a game I won't mention for obvious reasons. We're h ... More >>

Examining the NFL Playoffs Through Food

It's that time of year again. Every January my food-perverse mind converts professional football teams into dishes as a way to explore great food from around the country. Last year we enjoyed a lively discussion as different teams jockeyed for a chance to play in the Superbowl, and I'm hoping this y ... More >>

Flags, Sacks and Hats: How The Cowboys Conquered The Bucs

A week after being thoroughly handled by the Seattle Seahawks, the Cowboys returned to Dallas to be thoroughly handled by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fortunately for Dallas, Tampa didn't have a running back near the caliber of Marshawn Lynch, and their punt coverage team couldn't resist going for Cow ... More >>

Watch Cowboys Fan's Epic, Profanity-Filled Tirade Over Loss to Seahawks

Yesterday, still irrationally giddy from the beatdown their Seahawks delivered on Sunday ( I for one blame the replacement refs for Felix Jones' fumble on the opening kickoff. And the subsequent blocked punt. And the Romo interception right after. And -- oh screw it, the Cowboys blew.) , our colleag ... More >>

Seahawks 27, Cowboys 7: Thoughts on a Depressing Trip to Seattle

The Cowboys' 27-7 pasting at the hands of the Seahawks was about as brutal as the final score indicates. From the opening kickoff (literally!), Seattle simply played with a level of physicality that the Cowboys could not match. Every Dallas ball carrier was getting plowed, while Seahawks running b ... More >>

Six Thoughts from Last Night's Cowboys Game, Which We Watched for Some Reason

Justin Bitner is a local freelance writer. He last wrote for the Observer about FC Dallas. Oh, and sandwiches. As expected, the starters were firmly entrenched on the sidelines last night, having no intention of taking the field until postgame bro-hugs. The third and fourth deep, though, had to giv ... More >>

Did The Cowboys Remove Video of Illegal Contact at Practice? Was It Even Illegal? This Is Football, Right?

Seriously, NFL? First you ban the clothesline, then you move kickoffs to within field goal range, and now you're handing out sanctions because people are trying too hard? Some background: The league's collective bargaining agreement bans "contact work" in spring practices. Specifically, there's no ... More >>

The NFL Conference Championship Food Menu

Flickr​It's time Ater's. We've been watching the playoffs since the wild cards, and the championship games are this Sunday. We've been blogging about potential menus and discussing them in the comments, but now it's time to execute. If you want to put on an awesome spread to get you through th ... More >>

Do You Remember Where You Were Thirty Years Ago Today? Gil Brandt Sure As Hell Does.

​There's a book on the subject: The Catch: One Play, Two Dynasties, and the Game That Changed the NFL. I refuse to read it. Or even link to it. Five years ago, Chris Berman recalled the moment for ESPN. Won't watch that either. Al Michaels narrated this piece about how it was one of the Top Sports ... More >>

Introducing the NFL Playoffs of Food

I've been looking forward to this series of posts since mid-fall, when our new Sportatorium folks joined the City of Ate fray. You see, I can think of no more perfect marriage than sports and food. And I consummate this union every year with an annual football-themed degustation. Before you skewer ... More >>

Yeah, But What if Tramaine Brock Had Seen Miles Austin's Fumble?

​Tony Romo was gutsy last Sunday in San Francisco, but because the Cowboys lost he wasn't heroic. Jason Garrett should be fired for his insane 3rd-and-2 play call in the final minute that led to the loss to the 49ers. Dan Bailey might be a former NFL kicker. Jesse Holley is just a ... More >>

Tony Romo's Top 5 Performances

​Jerry Jones said he was "outstanding" despite last week's loss to the Jets. Sunday afternoon in San Francisco the owner almost shed a tear in talking about the quarterback's gutsy performance in a 27-24 overtime victory over the 49ers. It's already been a controversial, mesmerizing, f ... More >>

Whitt's End: 9.16.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Every once in a while I take Michael Young for granted. I think of him as a step-slow, reaction-reduced fielder. Then I go to Rangers Ballpark, watch him rip a bases-loaded double down ... More >>

Cowboys-49ers: Look Out Below!

​Okay, so the Cowboys were better than I expected in last week's NFL opener. But don't be fooled, the San Francisco 49ers weren't as good as it seems. Seems strange to be sniffing around an Under point-total play in a game between teams that scored a combined 57 in Week 1, but hear me out. W ... More >>

The Road to 8-8: A Week-by-Week Look at the 2011 Cowboys

Because it wouldn't be a newspaper football preview without piss-in-the-wind game predictions.

Listomania: The 15 Best NFL Team Anthems

​This whole "Super Bowl" thing has been pretty unavoidable this year -- and, for obvious reasons, infinitely more so in these parts than in years past. Then again, with media all over the place, thousands of out-of-town-guests, and an alleged 100,000 hookers (or not) converging in the metroplex ... More >>

Look Who's NOT Coming to Dallas for Super Bowl XLV

After a wildly entertaining weekend of the NFL playoffs, the following will not be playing in Arlington on February 6: *Michael Vick *Peyton Manning *Who Dat?! *The Dallas-born Kansas City Chiefs Despite intriguing story lines being buried, that was some damn skippy football. Three wins by ro ... More >>

No Saints Marching -- and Drinking -- In the Super Bowl. Too Bad.

Without these guys, the Super Bowl's fun-o-meter just dropped a few notches.​The New Orleans Saints' elimination from Super Bowl contention this weekend devastated members of the Who Dat Nation -- and deeply disappointed the DFW restaurants looking forward to serving them. Robbie Connell, man ... More >>

Cowboys 14, Eagles 13: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​How about a nice round of applause for Sam Merten? Nice job, Sam. Splendid actually. Thank you. And with that ... we now return to your regularly scheduled Sportatorium. 10. A year ago the Cowboys finished the regular season with a win over the Eagles. This year the Cowboys finished the regu ... More >>

Whitt's Merten's End: 12.31.10

One of Sports Pickle's best photos of 2010​It's been a fun two weeks, sports fans. Richie's back on Monday, but before I give him back his blog, here are some week-end thoughts before I go. *Sunday's Cowboys-Eagles game looks like it might be the first NFL start for Stephen McGee as Jon Kitna ... More >>

Same Crap, Different Coach: Jason Garrett Not the Answer as Cowboys Lose Winnable Game to Struggling Cards 27-26 and Fall to 5-10

Miles Austin caught six balls for 115 yards and a TD, but his slip-up turned into a defensive TD, and his post-game antics were embarrassing. ​If there ever was an easy win to be had this year for the Dallas Cowboys, last night's Christmas match-up with the Arizona Cardinals was it. Universi ... More >>

NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 15

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 14

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 13

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 12

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

At N. Central and Walnut Hill, Plans to Replace Moonscape with "First-Class Development"

Patrick Michels​Perhaps you've heard: One week ago today, a real estate holdings company controlled by Stan Kroenke -- owner of the St. Louis Rams, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche and husband of Wal-Mart heiress Ann Walton -- purchased the moonscape at Walnut Hill Lane and N. Central Express ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 11

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 10

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 7

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 6

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

Hey, Look, it's a UFO! No, Actually, it's an Even Weirder Sight: Mike Modano, Detroit Red Wing

​Hell hath officially frozen over. In Arlington, the Texas Rangers are still playing baseball. And in Dallas, Stars fans are now cheering for the Detroit Red Wings. Well, at least one of them. The Stars, off to a 2-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 start or whatever the hell it is these days in the NHL, play ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 5

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a tradema ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 4

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings -- if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademark ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 3

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings - if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademarke ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 2

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings - if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademarke ... More >>

2010 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 1

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback rating. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings - if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademarked ... More >>

Should Deion Sanders Go Into the Hall of Fame as a Cowboy?

​Deion Sanders played for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. Why, then, does it feel like it's a no-brainer that he goes into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy? He's - perhaps reluctantly - ours, right? Former Cowboys Bill ... More >>

Prediction: Dallas Cowboys Will End The NFL Season In Their Own Backyard (With A Little Luck And A Lot Of Health).

Mike Modano: OUR Star Could Become THEIR Star

​After saying that he's 75-percent leaning toward not retiring and playing hockey again next season, all-time star of the Dallas Stars Mike Modano is now thinking the unthinkable - putting on the sweater of another team. Mike Modano, Detroit Red Wings? Criiiiiiiiiiinge. It's still a situ ... More >>

Carpenter for Barron: One Man's Trash is Another Man's ... Trash?

To get Bobby Carpenter outta town, any old Alex would've done the trick.​The Dallas Cowboys finally admitted Monday what we've all known for years: Bobby Carpenter is a blonde bust. Drafted 18th overall in 2006 before stars like Antonio Cromartie and Joseph Addai (thank you, Bill Parcells), ... More >>

NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 9

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback rating. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings - if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademarked ... More >>

NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 9

​Like the BCS, style points count. So do geeky, black-and-white stats such as touchdowns and quarterback rating. Wins and losses? Definitely. Leadership? Uh-huh. When it comes to my weekly NFL Quarterback Rankings - if I had one of those little encircled R's to signify a trademarked ... More >>

Mojito Bowl

Home Field Advantage

The 'Boys say farewell to Texas Stadium

Carving The Bird

Tony Romo Has 67 Million Reasons to Be Alive

Flying Low

Dream of the 'Pokes Fan

Granada shows some silver and blue hospitality

Screen Steelers

Brew With a View

Keep your eyes on your own show