Cowboys find themselves going in reverse

A month ago, everything was lining up so nicely for the Dallas Cowboys.

They were 7-3 and turnaround artist Bill Parcells was being praised for working his magic again. He even had the added satisfaction of his favorite defensive scheme and old pal Drew Bledsoe being major reasons for the success.

Now look at them.

The Cowboys have lost three of their last four games, kicking them from division front-runners to wild-card outsiders. The dismal stretch has prompted questions about how much longer Parcells will stick around – and caused some fans to declare they’re ready for him to go with a year left on his contract.

Of course, many of those same fans might be screaming for an extension if Dallas wrangles its way into the playoffs. That’s could still happen, though it will take a victory today at Carolina to be possible.

The way things have been going, Parcells has no idea whether his team can save its season.

“Why would I?” he said. “Any coach would worry about all of that. Anybody that says that he’s not worried about it wouldn’t be telling the truth.”

Since skating through the first 10 games with three lopsided wins, four narrow wins and three narrow losses, Dallas sure has looked like a team moving in reverse and building speed along the way.

•At home against Denver on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys missed a short field goal midway through the fourth quarter, then lost in overtime.

•On the road against the New York Giants, with first place in the division on the line, Dallas trailed 17-0 shortly after halftime. A quick rally made it 17-10. The Cowboys got the ball back five more times without tying the game.

•Following a hope-salvaging home win over Kansas City, the Cowboys went to Washington and never gave themselves a chance to win. A 35-7 loss was their most lopsided against the Redskins.

Raiders’ Jordan to miss game

Oakland Raiders running back LaMont Jordan remained sidelined with a turf toe injury and has been ruled out of today’s game against Denver. Jordan, who is the first Oakland running back since 2000 to rush for more than 1,000 yards, injured himself last week against Cleveland.