Cowboys eye best-ever start in key home games
http://rawstory.com
Off to their winningest run since 1995 at 8-1, the Dallas Cowboys could achieve their best-ever start by sweeping a trio of home games within 12 days starting Sunday against arch-rival Washington.
The Cowboys, level with Green Bay for the best National Conference record, play the woeful New York Jets (1-8) next Thursday in the annual US Thanksgiving game followed by a showdown Thursday game November 29 against Green Bay.
For a Dallas team that has not won a playoff game since 1996, including four first-round setbacks, an 11-1 start with the only loss coming to unbeaten New England would make them favorites to reach their first Super Bowl since 1996.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet," Dallas coach Wade Phillips said. "We're not in the playoffs. We haven't won our division. We haven't secured anything.
"We are in the middle of the race. We're ahead in the race but you can't stop and start signing autographs or people can pass you up. You keep going and do all the things that got you to first. That's what we're trying to do.
"It's just one game at a time. It's down to the Redskins this week and see how we are against them. That's the most important thing."
The Cowboys are 9-1 at home against Washington in the past decade.
"Confidence-wise going in, we feel like if we play our best game, we're going to win," Phillips said.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, 27, signed a six-year contract worth 67.5 million dollars last month, 30 million dollars of it guaranteed over the next three seasons, and is showing why owner Jerry Jones has such confidence in him.
"The contract is nice and all, but I feel like I play the game the exact same way as before and after," Romo said.
"You don't play this game for money, I'll tell you that. You go out there to play it for the love of it and to win, and that's what we're doing right now."
Romo ranks third among National Football League passers with 2,555 yards and has completed 65 percent of his passes for 23 touchdowns even with 11 interceptions, second-most in the league.
"We know he's our guy," star receiver Terrell Owens said. "His contract solidified that."
Washington fell to 5-4 last week after squandering a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter and losing 33-25 to Philadelphia. The Redskins twice failed to score touchdowns from inside the Eagles' 2-yard line.
"That's telling you something," Redskins running back Rock Cartwright said. "Two times - what is that saying? Why can't we finish? What are we not doing? It's unexplainable. It doesn't make any sense."
Undefeated New England, 9-0, returns to the field after a bye week at Buffalo while Green Bay, 8-1, plays host to Carolina, 4-5.
Several second-place divisional teams face crucial tests to stay on the heels of pace-setting rivals.
AFC South division leader Indianapolis, 7-2 but trying to halt a two-game slide after losing a battle of unbeatens to New England and last week to San Diego, will play host to 4-5 Kansas City, which shares second in the AFC West.
AFC West leader San Diego, 5-4, travels to Jacksonville, where the 6-3 Jaguars are trying to catch the Colts.
The New York Giants, one game behind Dallas in the NFC East, travel to Detroit in a matchup of 6-3 second-place clubs. The Lions are two games behind Green Bay in the NFC North.
On Monday, Tennessee travels to Denver in another runner-up matchup. The host Titans are level with Jacksonville behind Indianapolis while the Broncos are with Kansas City a game behind San Diego.
Sunday's other games find Cleveland at Baltimore, Oakland at Minnesota, St. Louis at San Francisco, Tampa Bay at Atlanta, New Orleans at Houston, Miami at Philadelphia, Arizona at Cincinnati, Chicago at Seattle and Pittsburgh at New York Jets.
Off to their winningest run since 1995 at 8-1, the Dallas Cowboys could achieve their best-ever start by sweeping a trio of home games within 12 days starting Sunday against arch-rival Washington.
The Cowboys, level with Green Bay for the best National Conference record, play the woeful New York Jets (1-8) next Thursday in the annual US Thanksgiving game followed by a showdown Thursday game November 29 against Green Bay.
For a Dallas team that has not won a playoff game since 1996, including four first-round setbacks, an 11-1 start with the only loss coming to unbeaten New England would make them favorites to reach their first Super Bowl since 1996.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet," Dallas coach Wade Phillips said. "We're not in the playoffs. We haven't won our division. We haven't secured anything.
"We are in the middle of the race. We're ahead in the race but you can't stop and start signing autographs or people can pass you up. You keep going and do all the things that got you to first. That's what we're trying to do.
"It's just one game at a time. It's down to the Redskins this week and see how we are against them. That's the most important thing."
The Cowboys are 9-1 at home against Washington in the past decade.
"Confidence-wise going in, we feel like if we play our best game, we're going to win," Phillips said.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, 27, signed a six-year contract worth 67.5 million dollars last month, 30 million dollars of it guaranteed over the next three seasons, and is showing why owner Jerry Jones has such confidence in him.
"The contract is nice and all, but I feel like I play the game the exact same way as before and after," Romo said.
"You don't play this game for money, I'll tell you that. You go out there to play it for the love of it and to win, and that's what we're doing right now."
Romo ranks third among National Football League passers with 2,555 yards and has completed 65 percent of his passes for 23 touchdowns even with 11 interceptions, second-most in the league.
"We know he's our guy," star receiver Terrell Owens said. "His contract solidified that."
Washington fell to 5-4 last week after squandering a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter and losing 33-25 to Philadelphia. The Redskins twice failed to score touchdowns from inside the Eagles' 2-yard line.
"That's telling you something," Redskins running back Rock Cartwright said. "Two times - what is that saying? Why can't we finish? What are we not doing? It's unexplainable. It doesn't make any sense."
Undefeated New England, 9-0, returns to the field after a bye week at Buffalo while Green Bay, 8-1, plays host to Carolina, 4-5.
Several second-place divisional teams face crucial tests to stay on the heels of pace-setting rivals.
AFC South division leader Indianapolis, 7-2 but trying to halt a two-game slide after losing a battle of unbeatens to New England and last week to San Diego, will play host to 4-5 Kansas City, which shares second in the AFC West.
AFC West leader San Diego, 5-4, travels to Jacksonville, where the 6-3 Jaguars are trying to catch the Colts.
The New York Giants, one game behind Dallas in the NFC East, travel to Detroit in a matchup of 6-3 second-place clubs. The Lions are two games behind Green Bay in the NFC North.
On Monday, Tennessee travels to Denver in another runner-up matchup. The host Titans are level with Jacksonville behind Indianapolis while the Broncos are with Kansas City a game behind San Diego.
Sunday's other games find Cleveland at Baltimore, Oakland at Minnesota, St. Louis at San Francisco, Tampa Bay at Atlanta, New Orleans at Houston, Miami at Philadelphia, Arizona at Cincinnati, Chicago at Seattle and Pittsburgh at New York Jets.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:28 PM
<< Home