Biggest Game Ever for Tony, Jason, Wade and Jerry

[T-RO]

This team has done all the right things. They have fought up the mountain to reach base camp as division champ. Twenty thousand feet of successful climbing are now behind them. They are now poised, along with 11 other teams, for the the death march to NFL's Everest's peak.

The final 9,000 feet of climbing occur in air so thin that life cannot be sustained. You must finish the climb and descend. No one can permanently live at the summit. It is now as much about will as it as about talent. It is known as the "Death Zone." And this year for these Cowboys---more than ever.

I contend that Saturday night is the biggest game in the careers of Romo, Garrett, Phillips and our GM, Mr. Jones.

• For Tony a win on Saturday night cements a stellar run through December and January against many fine opponents. He will have validated that he is an elite player under pressure, virtually no matter what happens during the remainder of the postseason. He has changed some minds already, but a win Saturday night will cement his ascent to the status of an elite franchise quarterback. It will mean more for his career than a Pro Bowl invitation would have meant.
  
• For Jason a win will be confirmation of his offensive philosophy and possibly a head coaching job offer this offseason. He has led the Cowboys to top-five results in multiple seasons, but a playoff win changes everything for any coach.
  
• For Wade it's head coach playoff victory #1 after all these years. We know a billion pounds of burden will slide off his back with a win.
  
• For Jerry it's the end of a 13-year drought that has left fans furious at his refusal to step down as GM. He will certainly view it as validation, though some of us might not.
  

I BELIEVE!

 

[robjgrif]

This game is going to be huge for Dallas. Despite last week "mopping the field" with the egirls, I'm confident this team will be focus and understands the many demons that need to be released with a WIN!

 

[T-RO]

...many demons that need to be released with a WIN!

Absolutely, robjgrif. It's more than a win they seek...it's an exorcism.




I BELIEVE!

 

[mldardy]

This game is our version of the Colts getting over the hump against the Patriots. This isn't a game to get to the Super Bowl but for this team it is beating a arch rival in the playoffs with all of the 13 years without a playoff win crap. Romo and Wade can't win in the playoffs. It's like the Colts when they would say the same thing about Dungy and Manning can't beat the Patriots in the playoffs, can't get to the Super Bowl. They dispelled all of that by beating the Patriots. We can do the same with a win on Saturday. I do think winning this game will propel this team to the Super Bowl with a win on Saturday.

 

[T-RO]

This game is our version of the Colts getting over the hump against the Patriots. This isn't a game to get to the Super Bowl but for this team it is beating a arch rival in the playoffs with all of the 13 years without a playoff win crap. Romo and Wade can't win in the playoffs. It's like the Colts when they would say the same thing about Dungy and Manning can't beat the Patriots in the playoffs, can't get to the Super Bowl. They dispelled all of that by beating the Patriots. We can do the same with a win on Saturday. I do think winning this game will propel this team to the Super Bowl with a win on Saturday.

mldardy, I like your comparison of the Colts getting over the hump with the Patriots. As we know there is a mental challenge at play here.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to annoint the Cowboys as favorites to win it all if they win Saturday. They will have as good a chance as any but I think we underestimate how tough winning in two domes stadiums (potentially) will be.

 

[SibannacRex]

This team has done all the right things. They have fought up the mountain to reach base camp as division champ. Twenty thousand feet of successful climbing are now behind them. They are now poised, along with 11 other teams, for the the death march to NFL's Everest's peak.

The final 9,000 feet of climbing occur in air so thin that life cannot be sustained. You must finish the climb and descend. No one can permanently live at the summit. It is now as much about will as it as about talent. It is known as the "Death Zone." And this year for these Cowboys---more than ever.

I contend that Saturday night is the biggest game in the careers of Romo, Garrett, Phillips and our GM, Mr. Jones.

• For Tony a win on Saturday night cements a stellar run through December and January against many fine opponents. He will have validated that he is an elite player under pressure, virtually no matter what happens during the remainder of the postseason. He has changed some minds already, but a win Saturday night will cement his ascent to the status of an elite franchise quarterback. It will mean more for his career than a Pro Bowl invitation would have meant.
• For Jason a win will be confirmation of his offensive philosophy and possibly a head coaching job offer this offseason. He has led the Cowboys to top-five results in multiple seasons, but a playoff win changes everything for any coach.
• For Wade it's head coach playoff victory #1 after all these years. We know a billion pounds of burden will slide off his back with a win.
• For Jerry it's the end of a 13-year drought that has left fans furious at his refusal to step down as GM. He will certainly view it as validation, though some of us might not.

I BELIEVE!

There is no way this game is bigger than any playoff game in the early 90s for Jerry.

In fact, I would argue that our 2007 playoff game vs. the Giants was just as big as this one, if not bigger, for the other guys on your list.

 

[T-RO]

There is no way this game is bigger than any playoff game in the early 90s for Jerry.

In fact, I would argue that our 2007 playoff game vs. the Giants was just as big as this one, if not bigger, for the other guys on your list.

The 2007 loss was huge at the time but it only raised the anté for this one. The stakes are higher because there is more pent up defeat and frustration.

Jerry was purportedly lower than ever -- not after the Giants loss, but last year after the Eagles loss. That's according to his own statements this week. If true then what does that mean for Saturday?

At any rate it sure seems to be that Cowboys may have found the holy water this season. The minions of hell (Eagles) are going down.

 

[RainMan]

mldardy, I like your comparison of the Colts getting over the hump with the Patriots. As we know there is a mental challenge at play here.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to annoint the Cowboys as favorites to win it all if they win Saturday. They will have as good a chance as any but I think we underestimate how tough winning in two domes stadiums (potentially) will be.

Oh, there would be other hurdles if we're so fortunate to win Saturday. It would be hard to beat Minny or New Orleans, especially the Saints who might have learned a few things about us last time.

But I don't know if the dome thing scares me. In fact, despite the amped-up noise, I prefer that we'd be going through domes (again, IF we win Saturday). I like the way Romo's been playing indoors, including in our place.

 

[robjgrif]

"The minions of hell (Eagles) are going down."
I love this!!!! :eagles::suxiggle:

 

[T-RO]

Oh, there would be other hurdles if we're so fortunate to win Saturday. It would be hard to beat Minny or New Orleans, especially the Saints who might have learned a few things about us last time.

But I don't know if the dome thing scares me. In fact, despite the amped-up noise, I prefer that we'd be going through domes (again, IF we win Saturday). I like the way Romo's been playing indoors, including in our place.

Rainman, I think the whole tenor of subsequent games will be different. There will be pressure but not anything like what this game represents. Those games won't necessarily be easier to win---but they'll be easier to play.

Breaking that 13 year drought is a big deal...it may be breaking a dam that leads to a flood of playoff success.



I BELIEVE!

 

[morasp]

Not the biggest game for Jerry. About sacking the living legend Tom Landry he brought in a college coach to replace him. He hadn't accomplished anything yet as the owner and really needed to validate his decision to the fan base.

 

[aikemirv]

Only the biggest game ever if we lose.

I can't imagine the hype that is going to happen if we win and it is Favre and Minnesota vs Romo and the Cowboys!

 

[brickman]

This team seems to have matured and settled into an understanding of what lies before them. It took them a little while to grow up, but I really think they know what is front of them and how to systematically get the job done. You didn't see all the yelling and wildness after the win last week, just a subdued approach "that this is only one week". I have a feeling that this special bunch is going to pull it off.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I can't imagine the hype that is going to happen if we win and it is Favre and Minnesota vs Romo and the Cowboys!

Honestly I've been thinking about that more than Saturday's game. I should probably stop that!

 

[lurkercowboy]

I want this game more than any other game I can recall, and I have been a fan for 32 years.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think it is the biggest game for allot of guys. I think this group of players got to where they are because they went out and played like a team and to win this game it is going to take these players going out and playing like a team. Romo numbers in my view goes hand in hand with those around him knowing their assingments and carrying them out.

 

[Clove]

Well, all last summer we talked about big games. Well, from here out, each one of these games is huge, and each player needs to bring there "A" game to the table.

The QB needs to set the tone by doing what he's done all year long. And that is march his team down the field, and no fumbles, stupid interceptions, etc. I don't count tipped balls as stupid interceptions.

The rest of the offense needs to help Romo out by blocking, running good, getting opened and catching the ball.

I pray that our Defense is the real deal, because they will find every possible way to get Jackson deep, and you can say what you want about McCrabb, the guy can throw bombs.

Whatever it takes to win, Romo and company needs to do it.

 

[sacowboysfan513]

There is no way this game is bigger than any playoff game in the early 90s for Jerry.

In fact, I would argue that our 2007 playoff game vs. the Giants was just as big as this one, if not bigger, for the other guys on your list.

After many years of failure and having the bitter taste of defeat after so many big games (including the loss to the Giants in 2007), I'm sure Mr. Jones will tell you that this is the biggest game for him and the cowboys, especially since its the NEXT game.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...there's always another "big" game.

This one is big because it's the next one and happens to be a playoff game.

I won't let the pedal off this team until it reaches the SuperBowl. At that point I would be inclined to accept that they have reached acceptable performance.

This team is in my mind and many others a extremely talented team. One and done with the Eagles isn't going to make me happy.

If they make it to the next hurdle I still expect them to play beyond either Minny's or GB's ability.

The only other teams who I feel will give them trouble is Indy or SD with the Chargers being the class of the playoffs IMO.

 

[T-RO]

I think it is the biggest game for allot of guys. I think this group of players got to where they are because they went out and played like a team and to win this game it is going to take these players going out and playing like a team. Romo numbers in my view goes hand in hand with those around him knowing their assingments and carrying them out.

Good point. It's all about team. Romo needs Miles. Witten needs Romo. The offense needs the defense. Ware needs the guys up front. Jenkins needs Sensabaugh!

Together---I BELIEVE!