Cowboys not looking back
12:24 AM CST on Saturday, November 25, 2006
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
Warning: Last year, 7-4 Dallas faced Giants, then season fell apart
IRVING – After 11 games, the 2006 Cowboys are headed where the 2005 Cowboys were: a big road game in the swamp.
The Cowboys have won three straight and are one-half game in front of the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East after their victory over Tampa Bay on Thanksgiving Day.
The Cowboys will be taking that momentum into the Meadowlands against the New York Giants next Sunday.
But we've seen this before.
This time last season, Dallas was 7-4 and coming off an overtime loss to Denver on Thanksgiving Day, before heading to East Rutherford, N.J. to face the Giants.
The Cowboys trailed by 17 before losing, 17-10, a loss that sent their season into a tailspin. The Giants took sole possession of first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys finished the season 2-2 and missed the playoffs.
"You don't want to compare seasons, but unlike last year, I can truly say that right now, we're playing the best ball that we've been playing all season," linebacker Bradie James said. "Last season, we took a nose dive. The leadership and guys on this team won't let that happen. We know what's in front of us."
In the teams' first meeting this season, the Giants won, 36-22, on Oct. 23.
Each team has gone through some drama since that game.
Dallas benched Drew Bledsoe, inserted Tony Romo as the starting quarterback and has gone 4-1. The defense also has played well despite the loss of top pass rusher Greg Ellis.
"We're going in a totally different direction," guard Marco Rivera said.
The Giants are 2-2 since beating the Cowboys and have lost two consecutive games going into Sunday's contest at Tennessee.
Amani Toomer, the Giants' No. 2 receiver, had knee surgery and is out for the season, and top pass rushers Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora are sidelined with health issues.
And this week, running back Tiki Barber questioned the offensive direction of the team.
But for all that has gone wrong for the Giants, things could be getting better.
Strahan (sprained foot) and Umenyiora (torn hip flexor) are closer to getting healthy and could play against the Cowboys.
The Giants' swagger also could be returning.
A few days ago, tight end Jeremy Shockey said that if the Giants play their game, there's no way they lose to the Cowboys in Giants Stadium.
"We'll see," Terrell Owens said.
"That will be for next week," coach Bill Parcells said. "I am aware of it."
Dallas has nine days off before facing the Giants.
"It's perfect," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "The perfect time, especially for guys with the little nicks and knacks that can really heal during that time."
More important, if the Cowboys win at Giants Stadium, something that hasn't occurred since 2003, they control their own fate.
"We're putting some wins together and not waiting for somebody to lose," cornerback Terence Newman said. "We want to control our destiny, and hopefully, get a first-round bye and home-field advantage."
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
A LOOK AHEAD FOR COWBOYS
Date Opponent Watkins comment
Dec. 3 at N.Y. Giants Game could decide if Dallas is playoff bound
Dec. 10 vs. New Orleans Can Saints keep playoff hopes alive?
Dec. 16 at Atlanta Last road game might clinch postseason berth
Dec. 25 vs. Philadelphia Eagles are without McNabb
Dec. 31 vs. Detroit Lions going nowhere, Dallas going somewhere
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
Warning: Last year, 7-4 Dallas faced Giants, then season fell apart
IRVING – After 11 games, the 2006 Cowboys are headed where the 2005 Cowboys were: a big road game in the swamp.
The Cowboys have won three straight and are one-half game in front of the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East after their victory over Tampa Bay on Thanksgiving Day.
The Cowboys will be taking that momentum into the Meadowlands against the New York Giants next Sunday.
But we've seen this before.
This time last season, Dallas was 7-4 and coming off an overtime loss to Denver on Thanksgiving Day, before heading to East Rutherford, N.J. to face the Giants.
The Cowboys trailed by 17 before losing, 17-10, a loss that sent their season into a tailspin. The Giants took sole possession of first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys finished the season 2-2 and missed the playoffs.
"You don't want to compare seasons, but unlike last year, I can truly say that right now, we're playing the best ball that we've been playing all season," linebacker Bradie James said. "Last season, we took a nose dive. The leadership and guys on this team won't let that happen. We know what's in front of us."
In the teams' first meeting this season, the Giants won, 36-22, on Oct. 23.
Each team has gone through some drama since that game.
Dallas benched Drew Bledsoe, inserted Tony Romo as the starting quarterback and has gone 4-1. The defense also has played well despite the loss of top pass rusher Greg Ellis.
"We're going in a totally different direction," guard Marco Rivera said.
The Giants are 2-2 since beating the Cowboys and have lost two consecutive games going into Sunday's contest at Tennessee.
Amani Toomer, the Giants' No. 2 receiver, had knee surgery and is out for the season, and top pass rushers Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora are sidelined with health issues.
And this week, running back Tiki Barber questioned the offensive direction of the team.
But for all that has gone wrong for the Giants, things could be getting better.
Strahan (sprained foot) and Umenyiora (torn hip flexor) are closer to getting healthy and could play against the Cowboys.
The Giants' swagger also could be returning.
A few days ago, tight end Jeremy Shockey said that if the Giants play their game, there's no way they lose to the Cowboys in Giants Stadium.
"We'll see," Terrell Owens said.
"That will be for next week," coach Bill Parcells said. "I am aware of it."
Dallas has nine days off before facing the Giants.
"It's perfect," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "The perfect time, especially for guys with the little nicks and knacks that can really heal during that time."
More important, if the Cowboys win at Giants Stadium, something that hasn't occurred since 2003, they control their own fate.
"We're putting some wins together and not waiting for somebody to lose," cornerback Terence Newman said. "We want to control our destiny, and hopefully, get a first-round bye and home-field advantage."
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
A LOOK AHEAD FOR COWBOYS
Date Opponent Watkins comment
Dec. 3 at N.Y. Giants Game could decide if Dallas is playoff bound
Dec. 10 vs. New Orleans Can Saints keep playoff hopes alive?
Dec. 16 at Atlanta Last road game might clinch postseason berth
Dec. 25 vs. Philadelphia Eagles are without McNabb
Dec. 31 vs. Detroit Lions going nowhere, Dallas going somewhere
posted by The Gryphon at 3:51 PM
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