History says these Cowboys choke in December when the pressure intensifies. This team has provided no evidence whatsoever it can start a season slowly and finish fast.

That’s why these early-season losses feel so devastating.

After blowing a fourth-quarter lead for the second time in three weeks, Jerry Jones was more interested in crediting Denver for its 17-10 victory as opposed to assigning blame. So was Wade Phillips.

At one level, that’s perfectly understandable because the Cowboys didn’t relinquish the lead until the game’s final two minutes.

At another level, that’s pure poppycock.

Give the Broncos too much credit, and it allows the Cowboys to gloss over their issues — you can start with quarterback Tony Romo — which must be addressed if Dallas is going to end its embarrassing stretch of 12 loooooooooong seasons without a playoff win.

Then again, the Cowboys have to make the playoffs first.

Some of you might still think it’s early in the season, but the Cowboys already trail the Giants by two games in the NFC East, and they still must make a trip to New York in December.

You already know the odds of Dallas winning that game. When you look at it that way, suddenly 2-2 doesn’t feel quite as good.

Nor should it.

The end of the season is going to be brutal with trips to New York, New Orleans and Washington, and home games against San Diego and Philadelphia.

Based on the first month of the season, Washington is the only one of those teams that will miss the playoffs. Now, do you understand the importance of closing out winnable games?

Besides, you know the Cowboys marked this game down as a W when the season came out, when they practiced this week and throughout the game — until Brandon Marshall provided the margin of victory with a wonderful display of athleticism.

Remember, this team is 12-12 since its 12-1 start in 2007.

It has not won more than three consecutive games since a seven-game winning streak in 2007, so you’re having delusions of grandeur if you think these Cowboys are suddenly going to rip off a long winning streak.

They’re just not consistent enough. They make too many mental mistakes and commit too many penalties.

A bad route by Miles Austin leads to an interception inside the Broncos’ 5. A holding penalty by Martellus Bennett wipes out a first down, leading to a punt. A facemask penalty by Anthony Spencer extends a Denver drive.

This is not about effort. No one can say this team isn’t playing hard or trying hard, but pro football is a bottom line business.

Did you make a play or not? Did you win or lose?

“We have to be better on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” Keith Brooking said, referring to practice. “I’m not panicking, but we can’t keep saying this after every game. We have to act now.”

See, Brooking gets it. He’s a player who understands the fine line between winning and losing in today’s NFL.

He’s not alone.

Bradie James understands. So does Jason Witten. And Jay Ratliff. There are others.

The problem is there aren’t enough guys on this team who truly understand the determination and dedication it takes during the week to win on Sundays.