Aikman weekly spot WFAN

Here are my notes from what Troy said this week on WFAN...Not a lot of blockbuster stuff, but I figured it was worth posting.

Asked about both teams coming into this week's game
I think the two teams are entering from opposite ends of the spectrum. The Giants are coming in with momentum and confidence and those are two things I dont think Dallas has now.

Dallas defense
Its just terrible. Think about this. This is an NFL defense that gives up 600 yards in a game? Just terrible.
I know alot of people speak about the Dallas injuries on defense, but I'll say this- there isnt anyone in NY thats going to feel sorry for them on Sunday.

what it means for the loser
I think the loser of this game is all done. And whoever loses, I hope they're not saying 'well we are still alive because of this and that'. If you are a playoff team, then go win this game. This is a game a playoff- caliber team wins.

Rams game
He mentioned the Rams/ Dallas game. And I believe his point was that this was one game where Dallas played well on both sides of the ball. And then he added....but since then we've learned what kind of team the Rams are.

Off topic
RG3 needs to learn that when he is speaking with the media, he needs to take the bullet for his teammates. It'll hurt a little, but its better taking this approach.

Forgot to add: He said that he thinks today's NFL is getting to the point where you're as good as your 3rd receiver is.

I don't hate Aikman (the commentator) like a lot of Dallas fans do. I think his lack of homerism is refreshing. Irvin is too much of a homer if you ask me. What Aikman says is the absolute truth. He doesn't sugar coat it.

dupree89 said:

I think the loser of this game is all done. And whoever loses, I hope they're not saying 'well we are still alive because of this and that'. If you are a playoff team, then go win this game. This is a game a playoff- caliber team wins.

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I couldn't agree more. This is a win or go home game for these two teams.

I don't particularly care for Aikman as a commentator one way or the other, sometimes I find him irritating. I will say this though, I agree with everything he is saying here. Especially the part about the loser being done.

dupree89 said:

Forgot to add: He said that he thinks today's NFL is getting to the point where you're as good as your 3rd receiver is.

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People need to listen to this.

3rd-down targets' pass ratings:
Bryant 10 of 21 123 3 td 0 int 105.8
Beasley 9 of 14 102 0 td 2 int 46.4
Williams 7 of 17 120 0 td 2 int 26.2

percyhoward said:

People need to listen to this.

3rd-down targets' pass ratings:
Bryant 10 of 21 123 3 td 0 int 105.8
Beasley 9 of 14 102 0 td 2 int 46.4
Williams 7 of 17 120 0 td 2 int 26.2

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Perhaps the 0-9 on 3rd down conversions against the Aints skewed this somewhat? It seems like Terrance was doing much better in this area a few games ago.

nake said:

Perhaps the 0-9 on 3rd down conversions against the Aints skewed this somewhat? It seems like Terrance was doing much better in this area a few games ago.

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A few games ago, Williams wasn't the main 3rd-down target. That didn't happen until the last three games. He had 8 3rd-down targets in the first 7 games, and 9 in the last 3.

3rd down, first 7 games
Williams 6 of 8 91 0td 1int 72.4
Bryant: 18 targets

3rd down, last 3 games
Williams 1 of 9 29 0td 1int 0.9
Bryant: 3 targets

If Giants lose, they are done but not the Cowboys. They will still be one game behind Eagles with a game to play against them at home.

How is a loss to Dallas means they are done? they will be 5-6 in 2nd place in NFCE … If this is true this what's the point of playing 5 more games?
I like Aikman but on that point he is just trying to fire up his team….I know you play to win the game…and would love it so much if we put one on them…but a loss is not the end for Dallas…maybe giants…but certainly not Dallas..

mgcowboy said:

How is a loss to Dallas means they are done? they will be 5-6 in 2nd place in NFCE … If this is true this what's the point of playing 5 more games?
I like Aikman but on that point he is just trying to fire up his team….I know you play to win the game…and would love it so much if we put one on them…but a loss is not the end for Dallas…maybe giants…but certainly not Dallas..

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Let's just hope we get this W and stay in the drivers seat..

Blue Eyed Devil said:

I couldn't agree more. This is a win or go home game for these two teams.

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As important as this game is, and it's huge, the season is not over if Dallas loses. That vagiants are about done with a loss tomorrow. Dallas wins on Thanksgiving and is 6-6 then comes back healthy after that game. They can win 2 to 3 more games (including eagles) and quite possible take the East.

Wow. It's almost like Troy is getting sick of this team as well! Lol

Did he offer any insight into why the defense is so bad, other than injuries?

Sarge said:

I don't particularly care for Aikman as a commentator one way or the other, sometimes I find him irritating. I will say this though, I agree with everything he is saying here. Especially the part about the loser being done.

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The loser is not done, the reallity is that we would just be a game out of first with 5 games to play and a home game against the eagles still to be played.
Saying that, I do understand where Troy is coming from, this does not look like a playoff team but certainly non of the other 3 teams in the division do. I am not sold on either the Giants or the Eagles, win or lose this week it will eventually come down to week 17 for the 3 teams.

Coy said:

The loser is not done, the reallity is that we would just be a game out of first with 5 games to play and a home game against the eagles still to be played.
Saying that, I do understand where Troy is coming from, this does not look like a playoff team but certainly non of the other 3 teams in the division do. I am not sold on either the Giants or the Eagles, win or lose this week it will eventually come down to week 17 for the 3 teams.

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Mathematically - the loser is not done - correct. But both teams suck so bad - the loser is.............well..............done. It doesn't matter, the Eagles appear to be the best team in the deplorable NFC EAST and even they are terrible on the defensive side of the ball.

Sorry, but lose this game and we ARE done. After the last drubbing by NO, no momentum and still injured players (Lee, Durant, Holloman), With all the players who ARE back for this game - if we can't win this one, we are done - and deserve to be. Does anyone think after losing this game and if it came down to another win or go home at the end of the season, after our last 2 win or go home blowouts, and our record setting defence this year that we could win it ?
Now, on the flip side, if we do win this game - it could just be the light switch we need to go on a run here. Which is why I think this is undoubtedly THE most important game of the year for us... So, go take from the gnats, play like your lives are on the line - cause they just might be ...

Sarge said:

Mathematically - the loser is not done - correct. But both teams suck so bad - the loser is.............well..............done. It doesn't matter, the Eagles appear to be the best team in the deplorable NFC EAST and even they are terrible on the defensive side of the ball.

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If we get to week 17 only one game behind the eagles, a win probably gives us the east. Saying that, we obviously are a mediocre team, no other way around it.

mgcowboy said:

How is a loss to Dallas means they are done? they will be 5-6 in 2nd place in NFCE … If this is true this what's the point of playing 5 more games?
I like Aikman but on that point he is just trying to fire up his team….I know you play to win the game…and would love it so much if we put one on them…but a loss is not the end for Dallas…maybe giants…but certainly not Dallas..

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Shhhhh.

We need the tough-talk hyperbole! This is a playoff elimination game now!!! Win or forfeit the rest of the season!!! Don't give me any of that "math" or "logic" mumbo jumbo!!!

mgcowboy said:

How is a loss to Dallas means they are done? they will be 5-6 in 2nd place in NFCE … If this is true this what's the point of playing 5 more games?
I like Aikman but on that point he is just trying to fire up his team….I know you play to win the game…and would love it so much if we put one on them…but a loss is not the end for Dallas…maybe giants…but certainly not Dallas..

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This is a game a playoff- caliber team wins.

This is what Aikman is saying. If the Cowboys lose this game, they will not make the playoffs. They may still have a chance, but they will not be considered a "playoff team". The Cowboys need to know what is at stake.

And, IMO, hell, even if the Cowboys win I might still not consider them a play off team!