Last week of season - 1995

[SibannacRex]

Heading into the final week of the season, we had secured the 2nd seed with a last second win over the Giants. This win was preceded by 2 straight losses the Commanders and Eagles. Basically, home field advantage was extremely unlikely. The 49ers had it in their grasp and simply needed to beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road to clinch it. You guys know what happened- the 49ers lost. The Cowboys, who were planning to rest their starters, ended up playing a meaningful game the following Monday night and destroyed the Cardinals in Arizona. Winning homefield was huge as we had just lost the previous season in the NFC championship game in SF. We ended up beating a good GB team with a strong 4th quarter performance. The 49ers lost a weak earlier to the same GB team.

This time it's a little different- we need two teams to do us a favor.

Nevertheless, if it does happen, I would imagine our chances of making a deep run would improve astronomically.

Assuming we get the second seed, we will likely play the winner of the Cardinals/Panthers game at home (two of the weakest teams in the playoffs due to the Cardinals QB issues).

 

[BoysFanInAustin]

I also remember us playing most of our starters against the Bears in the Final game of the 1992 season...One was for Emmitt to win the rushing title from Barry Foster and for Irvin to lead the NFL in receiving yards again. I believe Jimmy pulled them out in the 3rd quarter and gave way to Steve Beuerlein and Curvin Richards, only to see Richards fumble his career away. Side note, Dallas did lose their backup TE Alfredo Roberts to a torn ACL in the 1st quarter of that game.

Jimmy also went all out in the season finale of the 1991 game vs the Falcons at home. Both teams had clinched playoff spots. I think all they played for was playoff positioning for the 5th and 6th seeds, but Jimmy stated that he wanted Dallas to keep up their momentum heading into the playoffs, as they had won their 4 previous games.

Other examples to think about.

 

[windward]

Heading into the final week of the season, we had secured the 2nd seed with a last second win over the Giants. This win was preceded by 2 straight losses the Commanders and Eagles. Basically, home field advantage was extremely unlikely. The 49ers had it in their grasp and simply needed to beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road to clinch it. You guys know what happened- the 49ers lost. The Cowboys, who were planning to rest their starters, ended up playing a meaningful game the following Monday night and destroyed the Cardinals in Arizona. Winning homefield was huge as we had just lost the previous season in the NFC championship game in SF. We ended up beating a good GB team with a strong 4th quarter performance. The 49ers lost a weak earlier to the same GB team.

This time it's a little different- we need two teams to do us a favor.

Nevertheless, if it does happen, I would imagine our chances of making a deep run would improve astronomically.

Assuming we get the second seed, we will likely play the winner of the Cardinals/Panthers game at home (two of the weakest teams in the playoffs due to the Cardinals QB issues).

Would only play winner of Ari/South winner if the 6 seed upset Seattle on the road. Could happen but not necessarily likely.

 

[windward]

I also remember us playing most of our starters against the Bears in the Final game of the 1992 game...One was for Emmitt to win the rushing title from Barry Foster and for Irvin to lead the NFL in receiving yards again. I believe Jimmy pulled them out in the 3rd quarter and gave way to Steve Beuerlein and Curvin Richards, only to see Richards fumble his career away. Side note, Dallas did lose their backup TE Alfredo Roberts to a torn ACL in the 1st quarter of that game.

Jimmy also went all out in the season finale of the 1991 game vs the Falcons at home. Both teams had clinched playoff spots. I think all they played for was playoff positioning for the 5th and 6th seeds, but Jimmy stated that he wanted Dallas to keep up their momentum heading into the playoffs, as they had won their 4 previous games.

Other examples to think about.

I remember these too.

Jimmy didn't rest the starters, Landry didn't. And Parcells didn't either when we had playoff berths clinched and had no chance at the division or a bye.

Gailey and Wade played their starters for a half when faced with the same situation.

Looking at this from a historical perspective shows me that it isn't insane to play your starters in Week 17 as some have been posting here earlier in the week.

 

[romothesavior]

Looking at this from a historical perspective shows me that it isn't insane to play your starters in Week 17 as some have been posting here earlier in the week.

Generally I agree with you, and I think most of our starters should go. But not our 34 year old franchise QB coming off two back surgeries who has to take a shot every week to manage the pain. Not when facing a team that has injured him twice in the past two years, and not in a game with virtually zero playoff implications.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

I remember these too.

Jimmy didn't rest the starters, Landry didn't. And Parcells didn't either when we had playoff berths clinched and had no chance at the division or a bye.

Gailey and Wade played their starters for a half when faced with the same situation.

Looking at this from a historical perspective shows me that it isn't insane to play your starters in Week 17 as some have been posting here earlier in the week.

yeah. i am one of those posters. I just dont get it. But, I am surprised these other great coaches didnt rest players either......

having said that. I think Romo is in a special circumstance. Not just with his back, but how valuable he is to this team.

 

[TX_Yid]

I never would have guessed the Commanders would beat the Eagles this year. You never know what can happen. Win your own games and let the rest take care of itself.

 

[Red Dragon]

The Niners crushed Dallas that year, 38-20, with Grbac. I've always wondered how a 1995 NFC title game against San Francisco - the fourth consecutive such championship game battle - would have fared.

 

[Staubacher]

So everyone is good with Romo playing the Skins on Sunday then the Lions front on Saturday?

 

[KJJ]

The 95 Cowboys appeared to be fading with back to back losses to Washington and Philly in weeks 15 and 16 but played a real solid game blowing out the Cardinals in week 17. That game got the Cowboys back on track at just the right time. They fed off the momentum of that game rolling through the playoffs and capped it all off with their 3rd SB win of the 90's.

 

[windward]

@KJJ
You missed the Week 16 game vs the Nyg. We had a lackluster first half and I remember Bill Bates losing it going into the locker room. The team was able to rally on a last secon Boniol field goal.

 

[windward]

The Niners crushed Dallas that year, 38-20, with Grbac. I've always wondered how a 1995 NFC title game against San Francisco - the fourth consecutive such championship game battle - would have fared.

I think we got our mojo back vs Arizona and Philly. I think we beat the Niners since we wouldn't be coming off a short week or taking them lightly the second time around.

 

[windward]

So everyone is good with Romo playing the Skins on Sunday then the Lions front on Saturday?

I trust that Garrett and Romo know what they are doing.

 

[BIGDen]

So everyone is good with Romo playing the Skins on Sunday then the Lions front on Saturday?

Exactly. All the nonsensical "You play your starters no matter what! Gotta keep the momentum going!" talk is stupid. Unless some miracle occurs (two losses and a tie), a win means NOTHING. Not a thing. Health is everything. The Skins blitz and blitz some more. Let's put Romo out there! Yeah! Gimme a break. Treat it as a preseason game. Get backups experience and rest Romo and others.

Merry Christmas.

 

[windward]

Exactly. All the nonsensical "You play your starters no matter what! Gotta keep the momentum going!" talk is stupid. Unless some miracle occurs (two losses and a tie), a win means NOTHING. Not a thing. Health is everything. The Skins blitz and blitz some more. Let's put Romo out there! Yeah! Gimme a break. Treat it as a preseason game. Get backups experience and rest Romo and others.

Merry Christmas.

I've seen Hall of Fame coaches make the exact opposite decision, though. I don't think this issue is really clear cut one way or the other.

 

[windjc]

2 losses and no ties gets us a 2nd. Everyone here should know that by now.

 

[Blackspider214]

Except we don't even need to win at all if Arizona/Seattle both lose. Our result is meaningless either way in terms of seeding except if GB/Det tie, which isn't happening.

 

[JoeBoBBY]

So everyone is good with Romo playing the Skins on Sunday then the Lions front on Saturday?

remember how romo played in the first Philly game? compared to how he played in the second with 10 days off?

ummmm

 

[windward]

remember how romo played in the first Philly game? compared to how he played in the second with 10 days off?

ummmm

We don't even know if we are even playing on a Saturday or not. If I had to guess I'd say we aren't.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I think we got our mojo back vs Arizona and Philly. I think we beat the Niners since we wouldn't be coming off a short week or taking them lightly the second time around.

It's as if we expected the Niners to roll over and die in that game.