Even Cowboys Get the Blues

The Dallas Cowboys’ worst season since 1989 came to a merciful conclusion Sunday.

Dallas, winner of five consecutive NFC East championships, crashed to 6-10 with a 20-7 loss to the New York Giants, placing Barry Switzer’s job in jeopardy.

The Giants, meanwhile, won the NFC East championship with a 10-5-1 record under first-year Coach Jim Fassel and will play Minnesota at home Saturday in the first round of the playoffs.

“When we started the season we had high hopes, but there weren’t a lot of other people who did, and rightly so,” Fassel said. “But to come in here and play a game that was supposed to be meaningless and keep fighting showed a lot of character. To go undefeated in the division, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The Giants swept the Cowboys for the second time in as many seasons and finished 7-0-1 against NFC East opponents.

As for the Cowboys, owner Jerry Jones said he will decide in late January or February about Switzer’s future. Offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese said he expects to be fired.

“I’m not sure I want to come back,” a disgusted Switzer said. “I don’t want to make emotional decisions. I’m not making that decision with the emotion of today’s game influencing me.”

Switzer, 45-26 in four seasons, said he told the team this season was his fault.

“I’m personally responsible,” Switzer said. “It starts with the head coach on down. It was an ugly performance.”

Quarterback Troy Aikman said changes needed to be made.

“We’re better than 6-10,” Aikman said. “This didn’t happen overnight. This has been happening over a couple of years and it all caught up to us. Some things need to be addressed.”

Like a coaching change?

“I have no idea what’s going to happen and it’s not for me to decide,” Aikman said. “Jerry will make decisions on the best interest of this organization.”

Dallas had no idea on the field, either, giving another inept offensive performance while having its defense methodically picked in the first half.

Danny Kanell threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Chris Calloway, Rodney Hampton scored his team-record 49th touchdown on a one-yard run and Brad Daluiso kicked field goals of 28 and 42 yards as the Giants built a 20-0 lead.