Cowboys know it's still anyone's race
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – The NFC has become a week-to-week deal.
The Cowboys own the longest current winning streak at three games and sit atop the NFC East at 7-4. No other team in the conference has won two straight.
When the New York Giants left Texas Stadium on Oct 23 with a 36-22 victory, they were 4-2 and on their way to a 6-2 first half. The Cowboys were a start-and-stopping 3-3 and about to make a quarterback change.
When the Cowboys visit Giants Stadium on Sunday, they could effectively push the Giants, who are in the throes of a three-game losing streak, out of the division race.
Win Sunday, and the Cowboys would own their longest winning streak since 2003, when they won five straight and made the playoffs. Win Sunday, and they continue in the chase for a first-round bye, something they have not had since 1995, when they won Super Bowl XXX.
Since then, the Cowboys have made the post-season four times.
Yet as much as the Cowboys are being touted nationally as the team to beat in the NFC, even more than 9-2 Chicago, there's a general tapping of the brakes inside the Valley Ranch locker room, thanks largely to the coach.
"Only a nitwit would believe it at this point," Bill Parcells said. "So I don't think I have any nitwits on my team."
As confident as they feel about their 4-1 record with Tony Romo as the starting quarterback and a defense that has not allowed more than 14 points in the last three games, the Cowboys realize how close they are to the NFC muck.
If the Cowboys lose Sunday, the Giants would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Cowboys based on the season sweep. Lose Sunday, and the Cowboys would fall to 1-4 in the division. Lose Sunday, and their conference record would be 4-4.
Presently the Cowboys are the fourth seed in the NFC, despite being tied for the conference's second-best record. New Orleans (7-4) is the No. 2 seed because of its 6-1 conference record, followed by Seattle (7-4) at 6-3. But the Cowboys would have a chance to pass the Saints during their Dec. 10 matchup at Texas Stadium.
But those are stories for another day.
"We know what happens if we don't win Sunday," defensive end Marcus Spears said.
And the 6-5 Giants know what happens if they win. They take the lead in the division, and the internal strife brought by a three-game losing streak would disappear.
"Right now, the Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFC with Tony providing that spark," running back Tiki Barber said. "As consistent as they've played the last three weeks, this is the last team we want to face. So we also realize this is a huge opportunity for us."
The Cowboys faced a similar situation last season, traveling to Giants Stadium with a 7-4 record coming off a loss to Denver on Thanksgiving. The Giants were also 7-4 and coming off a loss.
A fumble return for a touchdown by Antonio Pierce on the first play of the second half gave the Giants a 17-0 lead, and they won 17-10, took the next two games and finished 11-5.
"I think this is a different team," Parcells said. "I think the team is more confident and playing better and doing a whole lot of things better at this point and time this year than it was last year. Doing a whole lot of things better. Almost everything."
In 1986, his Giants rode a nine-game winning streak into the playoffs, winning Super Bowl XXI. In 1994, his New England team rode a seven-game winning streak into the playoffs. In 1998, his New York Jets rode a six-game winning streak into the playoffs and went to the AFC Championship Game.
He is not ready to proclaim anything about his Cowboys team yet.
"I told the players after the game whoever plays the best from here on is going to win," Parcells said. "We went through that whole period to get to Thanksgiving to find out if you have a chance. If we play well, we'll have a chance."
IRVING – The NFC has become a week-to-week deal.
The Cowboys own the longest current winning streak at three games and sit atop the NFC East at 7-4. No other team in the conference has won two straight.
When the New York Giants left Texas Stadium on Oct 23 with a 36-22 victory, they were 4-2 and on their way to a 6-2 first half. The Cowboys were a start-and-stopping 3-3 and about to make a quarterback change.
When the Cowboys visit Giants Stadium on Sunday, they could effectively push the Giants, who are in the throes of a three-game losing streak, out of the division race.
Win Sunday, and the Cowboys would own their longest winning streak since 2003, when they won five straight and made the playoffs. Win Sunday, and they continue in the chase for a first-round bye, something they have not had since 1995, when they won Super Bowl XXX.
Since then, the Cowboys have made the post-season four times.
Yet as much as the Cowboys are being touted nationally as the team to beat in the NFC, even more than 9-2 Chicago, there's a general tapping of the brakes inside the Valley Ranch locker room, thanks largely to the coach.
"Only a nitwit would believe it at this point," Bill Parcells said. "So I don't think I have any nitwits on my team."
As confident as they feel about their 4-1 record with Tony Romo as the starting quarterback and a defense that has not allowed more than 14 points in the last three games, the Cowboys realize how close they are to the NFC muck.
If the Cowboys lose Sunday, the Giants would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Cowboys based on the season sweep. Lose Sunday, and the Cowboys would fall to 1-4 in the division. Lose Sunday, and their conference record would be 4-4.
Presently the Cowboys are the fourth seed in the NFC, despite being tied for the conference's second-best record. New Orleans (7-4) is the No. 2 seed because of its 6-1 conference record, followed by Seattle (7-4) at 6-3. But the Cowboys would have a chance to pass the Saints during their Dec. 10 matchup at Texas Stadium.
But those are stories for another day.
"We know what happens if we don't win Sunday," defensive end Marcus Spears said.
And the 6-5 Giants know what happens if they win. They take the lead in the division, and the internal strife brought by a three-game losing streak would disappear.
"Right now, the Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFC with Tony providing that spark," running back Tiki Barber said. "As consistent as they've played the last three weeks, this is the last team we want to face. So we also realize this is a huge opportunity for us."
The Cowboys faced a similar situation last season, traveling to Giants Stadium with a 7-4 record coming off a loss to Denver on Thanksgiving. The Giants were also 7-4 and coming off a loss.
A fumble return for a touchdown by Antonio Pierce on the first play of the second half gave the Giants a 17-0 lead, and they won 17-10, took the next two games and finished 11-5.
"I think this is a different team," Parcells said. "I think the team is more confident and playing better and doing a whole lot of things better at this point and time this year than it was last year. Doing a whole lot of things better. Almost everything."
In 1986, his Giants rode a nine-game winning streak into the playoffs, winning Super Bowl XXI. In 1994, his New England team rode a seven-game winning streak into the playoffs. In 1998, his New York Jets rode a six-game winning streak into the playoffs and went to the AFC Championship Game.
He is not ready to proclaim anything about his Cowboys team yet.
"I told the players after the game whoever plays the best from here on is going to win," Parcells said. "We went through that whole period to get to Thanksgiving to find out if you have a chance. If we play well, we'll have a chance."
posted by The Gryphon at 12:53 PM
<< Home