[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Monday, December 8, 1997

Must-win time has arrived for Dallas

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys still need help. But to have any chance of reaching the playoffs they must first help themselves.

Last week the Cowboys watched their sagging playoffs hopes get some help when several NFC contenders lost. The Cowboys didn't get nearly as much help on Sunday. Dallas might not even reach the playoffs, even if it wins its final three games.

But if the Cowboys defeat Carolina Monday night at Texas Stadium and follow with wins against the Bengals and Giants, then odds are at least 50-50 the Cowboys can get in as a wild card at 9-7.

"It seems like everything is pointing in our direction, that we're supposed to go to the playoffs, or least have a chance," said defensive tackle Tony Casillas. "I think it's more or less kind of a destination for us, and it's up to us to take care of it."

To take care of it, the Cowboys (6-7) must win their final three games. They also need some help.

"Somebody still wants us to have a shot at the playoffs," said rookie linebacker Dexter Coakley. "I mean, we keep getting chance after chance. We definitely have an opportunity to win these last three games and are looking to getting that done."

In the first-ever meeting between the two franchises, Carolina defeated Dallas 26-17 at Ericsson Stadium last season in the NFC playoffs. The second meeting doesn't have the same significance but Panther cornerback Eric Da is sees one similarity - win or your season is over.

"Things haven't worked out for either club," Davis said. "It's do-or-die time. The only similarity between that game last January and this one is the playoffs have really started for both clubs. This is a playoff game for both of us."

Unlike Dallas, the Panthers (6-7) probably won't earn a playoff berth, even if they win their final three games. But if Carolina defeats the Cowboys and Packers the next two weeks, then they have an outside shot. A 16-13 home loss to New Orleans last Sunday essentially eliminated the Panthers.

"I haven't even looked at it," said Panthers coach Dom Capers. "When you're coming off a disappointing loss the way we are, our approach was simply to go back to work and try to do everything we can to win this week."

Defensive tackle Leon Lett, coming off a one-year drug suspension, will make his '97 debut, but the defense has been ranked No. 2 for weeks. The Cowboys' problems center around an offense ranked 20th, an offense that has scored 17 or less points in 12 of the last 20 games.

"Even though we've struggled throughout the whole season, and had our share of ups and downs, I honestly believe there will come a point where you come out of it," said running back Emmitt Smith. "Once you get on the outside of (a slump), and everybody feels very confident, positive things start happening."

There have been few positives for the Cow boys, who last missed the playoffs in 1990, Smith's rookie season.

To keep their playoff streak alive, Dallas must run the table.

"Let's beat Carolina," said coach Barry Switzer. "That's the only one I'm looking at."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)