Thursday, November 26, 1998

Why the score will be 24-21

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This column was written before the Cowboys lost to the Vikings, 46-36. Lines were highlighted in red or blue following the game to show what the two teams DID or did NOT accomplish).

By Danny Reagan

In a moment of clairvoyance rivaling that of a president picking out a good cigar, we saw a score flash before our mind's eye: 24-21.

Unfortunately, as it is with football scores, lottery numbers, etc., we didn't clearly see who had the 24 and who had the 21 in today's Turkey Day bash between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings.

But, in another moment of wisdom, perhaps rivaling that of a president picking out an intern, we came up with 10 reasons each why either team could walk away with the 24, thereby clearing up the eventual outcome.

The Cowboys score 24 (2 of 10 accomplished needed to win)

1. Deion plays the entire game.

2. Randall Cunningham chokes, remembering what the Cowboys usually did to him while he was wearing an Eagles uniform.

3. The Vikings experience an emotional letdown after the Packers game.

4. The Cowboys win the turnover battle.

5. The substitutes for all those injured Cowboys players perform above their heads.

6. The Cowboys actually have taken advantage of the extra rest a home game brings them and win the fourth and decisive quarter with fresher legs.

7. Emmitt gains 100 yards rushing and Chris Warren gains 75, and the team gains less than 50 yards in penalties.

8. Troy is sacked only once.

9. Leon and company get four sacks.

10. Cowboys hold a Randy Moss who is trying too hard to no TD passes.

The Vikings score 24 (6 of 10 accomplished needed to win)

1. Deion doesn't play.

2. Randall Cunningham plays like he has been playing lately.

3. The Vikings' "Psyched Up to Beat Dallas" mentality (something every team has) outweighs their emotional letdown after beating the Pack.

4. The Vikings win the turnover battle.

5. The Vikings' healthier vets play better than the Cowboys' realtively untested backups.

6. The Vikings have 75 fewer penalty yards than the Cowboys, who get several "stupid" penalties.

7. They hold Emmitt under 100 yards and Warren under 75.

8. Troy is sacked early and often.

9. Randall Cunningham isn't sacked once.

10. Randy Moss, totally focused on "revenge," gets one or more TD passes.

Upon initial glance, those all look like fairly obvious reasons for victory, but given the fact that the Cowboys are pumped up about being under-dogs and not getting any respect, and the fact that the Vikings have to be emotionally flat after beating Green Bay and having to travel so quickly, the Cowboys only need to get 5 or 6 of their 10 for victory, while the Vikings need 7 or 8 of their 10 to go home with 24 points and the W.

Also, when you look at the "Due to Lose" factor - which has historically played a big part in Dallas disappointments - you'd have to think that the Vikings actually are "more due to lose" than the Cowboys.

The smart money is on Minnesota. They're playing better with more consistency, they have fewer injuries and they have some motivated players made up of cagey veterans and hungry newcomers. The smart money was also on presidential impeachment not too long ago, too, and now no one's taking any bets.

The "dumb" money has returned dividends with the Cowboys in the past. Take that fact of history, along with Troy Aikman's incentive to regain a lost respect for the team -- and the fact that it might be actually better (considering the playoff scenarios) if Dallas lost to Minnesota today -- and what do you have?

Dallas over Minnesota, 24-21, of course.

Any intern with half a brain and a penchant for cigars will tell you that.