Jean-Jacques Taylor

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IRVING – When the Cowboys spent a year among the NFL's elite in 2007, they often found ways to win games that seemed lost.

Who can forget the fantastic finish against Buffalo on Monday Night Football? Or the win against Detroit with 18 seconds left that clinched their first NFC East title since 1998?

Doesn't that seem like such a long time ago?

Since the 12-1 start in 2007, the Cowboys are a mediocre group that finds creative ways to lose more often than finds ways to win.

Of course, the players won't like that characterization. Neither will the coaching staff. Sometimes, though, you must deal in reality – not what you want reality to be.

The talent in the NFL is so close that nearly every game comes down to a few plays. The best teams make those crucial plays more than they don't, which is why they win.

During every game, there's a point where it's there to be won. Good teams recognize the moment, seize control of the game and win it. Average teams let the moment escape, allow their opponent to stay close and lose the game in the fourth quarter.

Sound familiar?

The loss to Denver was just another recent example because the Cowboys had opportunities to seize control of the game.

With Dallas leading 10-0 in the second quarter, a sack of Tony Romo and his subsequent fumble led to a Denver touchdown that pulled the Broncos within a field goal.

After the defense provided a turnover at the Denver 27 on the first drive of the second half, a poor route by Miles Austin led to a Romo interception. Instead of Dallas expanding its lead, the Broncos remained within a field goal.

And with 1:46 left, Brandon Marshall scored on a scintillating 51-yard catch-and-run to win the game.

In the Cowboys' loss to the Giants, Eli Manning drove his team 56 yards in 11 plays for a game-winning field goal as time expired. Twice, New York converted on third down.

You can call it a lack of maturity. Perhaps, it's a lack of killer instinct. Who cares? The bottom line is the Cowboys lose too many games they shouldn't.

This team has a lot of good players, but it also has too many average players and way too many faux stars. It also lacks playmakers at the skill positions on offense and defense.

Aside from Felix Jones and Jason Witten, is there a player who gives defensive coordinators insomnia? Nope. Romo did, but as mama used say, "He's lost and has no idea where found is."

Aside from DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff, is there a defensive player who forces offensive coordinators to alter their game plans? Nope.

Terence Newman has had 24 passes directed toward him. Only two cornerbacks have had more, which speaks for itself.

These Cowboys aren't good enough to blow out most teams, so they're going to play a lot of close games. Each of the last three has been decided in the fourth quarter.

There's no reason to think the Kansas City game will be any different.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley spent several years on the Cowboys' coaching staff working with Romo, and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast had a wonderful game plan last season with Arizona that controlled Romo.

They know what schemes frustrate and confuse him, so don't be shocked if this game is decided in the fourth quarter.

Sometimes, the blame lies with the offense. Other times, it's the defense. It's a team problem.

Bradie James understands that, and has talked about the importance of closing out games. So has Keith Brooking.

As usual, the head coach feigns ignorance – at least we hope he's feigning. Just so you know, if this troubling trend doesn't stop, someone else will be coaching the Cowboys next season.