Could wildcard game be a blessing in disguise?

[DallasInDC]

consider this, had we played like we did yesterday in the second round of the playoffs after a bye, it's very likely we wouldn't have been able to overcome the talent we were playing against (assuming we would have been playing seattle or GB).

Yesterday's game should remind the players not to drink their kool-aid and that if they don't bring it every play and play virtually mistake free football, they could easily find themselves watching the rest of the post season from the couch. I always believe you need to have wins like this to keep teams focused yet scared of losing. when you constantly win handily, some team always sneaks up on you with an upset.

Yesterday's game also builds confidence and patience in adversity, and team unity. Games like that teach teams that they need to stay focused on the task at hand despite how things may seem to be going. Don't panic, don't force things, play the game like your supposed to and you will have a better chance to claw your way back in and give yourself a chance to win the game. These are the type of wins that allow teams to develop that championship mentality.

finally, it puts other teams on notice that they will be facing a team that will fight together as a team. One thing I saw from the losing teams this weekend was teammates fighting amongst themselves. Wins like this builds trust among teammates and a ride or die mentality.

I think getting the big game/December swoon/playoff choking monkey off our backs and a win like this could be the catalyst to SB #6. Just my .02

 

[Danger]

This is a great game for the coaches to identify the mistakes and correct them before Sunday. The Cowboys can't afford to start slow against GB and the coaches know that.

 

[Cowboy from New York]

lot of nerves to be worked out since this was so new for the team. I think execution will be better at GB. Also the offense should have a reliable running game to rely on in that game to steady things.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

I think the biggest benefit is it takes pressure off. losing your home playoff game is bad, but at this point, nobody is going to criticize the team for losing to a higher seed.

Romo seemed a bit tight to me, I predict he will look much more loose next game.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I know our style of play is conducive to cold weather, but are we really a good cold weather team? I think the coldest game was Chicago and we caught a break because it wasn't that bad. I heard 17 is the expected high in this one with only 10% chance of snow. If the wind isn't blowing it may not be too bad. Either way, I hope we don't let the elements deter us.

 

[Chappy]

I doubt the Packers with Rodgers on 1 leg scares us. I wanted the Packers last game but we did not get it as i am wary of teams with a defense that can shut us down.

Packers are not shutting us down and suck against the run with a mediocre at best secondary corps. While our Defense is also a bit shabby i am so much more confident against the Packers than i was at home against the Lions. If we are up and about we will go close to putting 40+ on them which should see us win.

If Murray goes for 100+yds and Dez 90 odd with a TD we are not losing this game Bookmark it and the Packers are such a better match up for us than what Detroit was, the road factor does not worry me at all.

Go get em boys.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

I know our style of play is conducive to cold weather, but are we really a good cold weather team? I think the coldest game was Chicago and we caught a break because it wasn't that bad. I heard 17 is the expected high in this one with only 10% chance of snow. If the wind isn't blowing it may not be too bad. Either way, I hope we don't let the elements deter us.

I really think that issue is overblown in the modern NFL. The Packers players are from all over the country, and many of them go back home in the offseason.

Rodgers is a California boy, and lives in San Diego in the offseason.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Could wildcard game be a blessing in disguise?

I don't know about all that. But it sure should have been a big wake up call or reality check in a game we could have easily lost and ended our season.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

the one nice thing, is unlike a regular season bye week, the Packers didn't know who they were facing next, and couldn't spend two entire weeks preparing for one team.

 

[Titleist]

I really think that issue is overblown in the modern NFL. The Packers players are from all over the country, and many of them go back home in the offseason.

Rodgers is a California boy, and lives in San Diego in the offseason.

Yep, but it does help a bit that Romo is a Wisconsin native and played college football in brutal midwest winters.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

Yep, but it does help a bit that Romo is a Wisconsin native and played college football in brutal midwest winters.

I have been in his hometown many, many times. There is an outdoor amphitheater nearby called Alpine Valley, which is in the middle of nowhere. Burlington is one of the few towns near it with a hotel.

very cold winters!

 

[Tabascocat]

I think it was. The first game is now out of the way, butterflies gone and they can now go to work!

 

[Mansta54]

I know our style of play is conducive to cold weather, but are we really a good cold weather team? I think the coldest game was Chicago and we caught a break because it wasn't that bad. I heard 17 is the expected high in this one with only 10% chance of snow. If the wind isn't blowing it may not be too bad. Either way, I hope we don't let the elements deter us.

They play in the exact same elements, I luv us in this game especially coming off the W that we didn't play all that well in. I think we will be ready and focused.

 

[DallasInDC]

I don't know about all that. But it sure should have been a big wake up call or reality check in a game we could have easily lost and ended our season.

But we didn't. And now it serves as a building block to our next hurdle in this post season. And I think it will make us a better team as a result of it. When you talk about teams being experienced or battle tested in the playoffs, it is these types of games that they are referring to.

 

[StylisticS]

I really think that issue is overblown in the modern NFL. The Packers players are from all over the country, and many of them go back home in the offseason.

Rodgers is a California boy, and lives in San Diego in the offseason.

Was going to say the same thing. Besides. 17 degrees is 17 degrees. No player gets use to that.

 

[MRV52]

The colder the better, we have to run them out of Lambeau.

 

[MRV52]

Was going to say the same thing. Besides. 17 degrees is 17 degrees. No player gets use to that.

17F is nothing that ain't cold.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

The colder the better, we have to run them out of Lambeau.

Part of me was hoping for heavy snow and conditions not really conducive to passing since we have an obvious advantage in the running game.

But the more I think about it, the more I just want our normal balanced offense to show up and give them fits.

 

[StylisticS]

17F is nothing that ain't cold.

No doubt. I lived in Chicago and come Wednesday, they will wish it was 17 degrees.