How important is this game?

[Chocolate Lab]

I wonder if it could be the other Texas Walt, Walt Anderson... I mix those guys up all the time. (I actually like Anderson less, for what that's worth -- basically nothing.)

I was just googling to find who the officials will be and I'm not having much luck. Side note -- NFL.com is the most irritating website out there. Constant ads, videos with volume that can't be turned down or muted, etc.

 

[Deep_South]

It is always important to win, but games like this are a double bonus because if we win we not only are Division Champions, but we get to deflate the entire Commanders nation, and maybe even knock them out of the playoffs, depending on what happens before game-time. This is a great opportunity for the Cowboys, and should be proof to all that winning ugly can lead to big things down the road, making it something to be celebrated when it happens.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Anyone who doesn't think the officiating is going to decide this game is fooling themselves. I'm not talking about bias either.

If there's a "let them play" attitude, it strongly favors Washington. Dallas will be in zone much more, while Washington will be playing more man. If Washington can be physical past 5 yards, Dallas will really struggle offensively.

If it's called tight, the offensive PIs on all the bubble screens, the running game holds...Washington gets shut down by almost any defense in the league.

 

[burmafrd]

Ware's supposedly so banged up he's not expected to be himself the rest of the year.

the elbow alone is something that would take a couple of months to heal.
Who knows about the shoulder. And that leaves out his neck problems and his hammy

 

[SkinsHokieFan]

For the Cowboys- A loss could potentially shut the window for good on the Romo/Ware/Witten core. A win gives this core a big win and a chance to do some big things in the playoffs this year and you could potentially turn into the Celtics of a few years ago, led by 30 somethings with key young players

For the Commanders- Exorcising the last 20 years and being a launching pad to big things in the next few years behind RG3. A division title after 13 years. A chance to do something special because there are some good matchups

A loss is not as devastating to us as the core is very young going forward. BUT you don't want to learn "how to lose" early in a career

 

[Stryker44]

the elbow alone is something that would take a couple of months to heal.
Who knows about the shoulder. And that leaves out his neck problems and his hammy

He's an athletic freak though - in terms of both brute and functional core strength. I wouldn't be surprised if he benches over 500.

 

[percyhoward]

I wonder if it could be the other Texas Walt, Walt Anderson... I mix those guys up all the time. (I actually like Anderson less, for what that's worth -- basically nothing.)

I was just googling to find who the officials will be and I'm not having much luck. Side note -- NFL.com is the most irritating website out there. Constant ads, videos with volume that can't be turned down or muted, etc.

It'll be Anderson.

Side note -- I completely agree with your side note.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...the most important.

 

[MapleLeaf]

the elbow alone is something that would take a couple of months to heal.
Who knows about the shoulder. And that leaves out his neck problems and his hammy

...the cornerstone to this defence.

When the season is finally over I would like to see the Cowboys put all of their resources is getting him back to 100% healthy.

They also need to find some back up solutions to help buy him healing time if he is not really ready to go for September 2013.

I would like to see Ware managed more judiciously.

 

[Stryker44]

For the Cowboys- A loss could potentially shut the window for good on the Romo/Ware/Witten core. A win gives this core a big win and a chance to do some big things in the playoffs this year and you could potentially turn into the Celtics of a few years ago, led by 30 somethings with key young players

For the Commanders- Exorcising the last 20 years and being a launching pad to big things in the next few years behind RG3. A division title after 13 years. A chance to do something special because there are some good matchups

A loss is not as devastating to us as the core is very young going forward. BUT you don't want to learn "how to lose" early in a career

I think its important to establish ourselves as a playoff team - otherwise its just a nice 6 game win streak that ended short. I want next year to be about exceeding wherever the playoff run ends...not just making the playoffs.

This is RGIIIs chance to establish himself as a "big game QB"

 

[KJJ]

Obviously this game is very important the division title/playoff birth is on the line. This is a huge game for Romo it's not being able perform at a high level in these type of games that's marred his career. You never know when it's going to be your last opportunity to win a division title and make the playoffs so you have to take advantage. The Cowboys are very fortunate to be in this position entering the game with only 8 wins.

For them to win tonight they're going to have to exorcise a lot of demons. They must get off to a fast start or it could be a very long night. It's getting behind early that's caused the team to suffer beat downs in their last 3 do or die games on the road. It's going to be a hostile environment tonight so the Cowboys must take the crowd out of it early with a quick score. The Cowboys can't afford to get behind early and have to play catch up.

 

[Idgit]

For the Cowboys- A loss could potentially shut the window for good on the Romo/Ware/Witten core...

I can see why you'd want to believe this, but I do wonder why you think it's true. We're lucky to be playing for the division crown this week under the circumstances. I don't see how losing a game we're not expected to win closes any windows on anything.

It will send a faction of our fans spinning off into the stratosphere again, but those guys are getting so used to that trip it hardly matters any more. We'll be back next year with significant additions from our injured reserve on top of a full complement of draft picks and with another successful offseason of shoring up the obvious weaknesses in the secondary and along the OL that have hurt us recently. Our window's not going to close in Dallas, no matter what happens today.

 

[Picksix]

It'll be Anderson.

Side note -- I completely agree with your side note.

I've always had a beef with Anderson since the Seattle game in '06. The play before the bothched snap, Romo threw a pass to Witten on 3rd and 7 at the 8. The pass originally was ruled a frist down at the 1. Without a definitive camera angle, the officials overturned the call, and moved it back to the 2. It was widely debated as to whether Witten made the first down, but going by the intent of the rule, it shouldn't have been overturned. Would have made it first and goal at the 1.

Oh well. I should probably get over it.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I'm guilty of complaining all week about my disgust for Garrett and how this team is run but what if...

What if this is the year we finally do something in the post season. Totally unexpected. I'm tired of riding in the back seat. We're the freaking Dallas Cowboys.

I'm not delusional and I don't think this team is a Title contender but I really hope we make some kind of statement in the next few weeks that let's teams know what's up for next year.

Romo is too good to not have a great playoff run at some point. Maybe not this year but it just needs to happen.

I really don't know the point I'm trying to make but hopefully we just kick some *** for the next few weeks.

Hopefully we play to win and don't hold anything back.

I am going to jump in here. I hear ya, I sense your frustration. The frustration is thick and rich with this organization.


Here is my 2 cents to 2 cents.

The Giants and Packers made SB runs and won. The Packers did it with many injuries.

I see this as possible.

This game - we just find a way as a team
1st playoff game - defense just plays out of its mind - we win
2nd playoff game - Romo feels like he has to do more AND DOES - we win
NFC title game - team win. More works than not.
SuperBowl - Romo plays out of his mind. Supporting cast actually supports - Romo MVP

How important is this game?

I am going out on a limb and say this is a "must win"!

 

[percyhoward]

Oh well. I should probably get over it.

You'll never forget the name Walt Anderson.

Trust me, when I say "Fred Swearingen," there are a lot of people around here who know the exact moment in time that I'm talking about.

 

[bracey]

Weird things happen in the playoffs. Once I saw the Cardinals make their run to within an eyelash of winning it all it convinced me you don't even have to be very good anymore to win a Championship.

So while the odds are long, we'd have a puncher's chance. The bounces go our way, we play our best football. It can happen.

This is true. That Cards team had no business even being in the playoffs and they came within a hair of the championship. The current Cowboys are far better.

 

[MrMom]

I wonder if it could be the other Texas Walt, Walt Anderson... I mix those guys up all the time. (I actually like Anderson less, for what that's worth -- basically nothing.)

I was just googling to find who the officials will be and I'm not having much luck. Side note -- NFL.com is the most irritating website out there. Constant ads, videos with volume that can't be turned down or muted, etc.

Some notes from Gosselin re: Anderson.

Good news for Cowboys: Walt Anderson crew will officiate tonight's NFC East showdown with Commanders. Road teams 6-5 with Anderson in 2012.

In the one Cowboys game officiated by Walt Anderson this season, the Cowboys were penalized a season-low 2 times for 10 yards vs Bears.

 

[DFWJC]

The opening day Giants game was the one I wanted the most in the regular season, but now this one trumps it for obvious reasons.

As for "important"; because I think the team has overcome so much and has overachieved to some degree the second half of the season, I think a win helps way more than a loss hurts.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I'm right there with ya man. Look no further than the Giants' title run in 2007. Coughlin was on the way out, Eli was universally panned and ... boom. They're champions.

This team has too many flaws for me to expect a title run, but the fact that that mere possibility exists is why we all watch from season to season.

True. But I seriously fear, or rather think, that Garrett's job will be on the line. I want to make the playoffs. I think if he wins tonight, his job is secure. I would rather eat my words, or let people think I'm eating my words, rather than get eliminated tonight. Basically, the playoffs start in 3 hours.

Exciting, eh Chad?

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Anyone who doesn't think the officiating is going to decide this game is fooling themselves. I'm not talking about bias either.

If there's a "let them play" attitude, it strongly favors Washington. Dallas will be in zone much more, while Washington will be playing more man. If Washington can be physical past 5 yards, Dallas will really struggle offensively.

If it's called tight, the offensive PIs on all the bubble screens, the running game holds...Washington gets shut down by almost any defense in the league.

"Let 'em play" ruled the night. That's the problem with most of the Coryell based offenses, aggressive defenses can alter routes if they can rough up receivers down the field. It worked in the past with quick receivers but since the emphasis has changed and teams have gone bigger, when old school rules are called, offenses really struggle.