Not a Defining Game!!

[aikemirv]

The thread about this being a defining game yesterday was about how we come in and make our mark and establish ourselves as a threat to win the NFC.

We sure did not do that. We were flat and lacked fire and emotion. A very sad game IMO. Coming back off Bye weeks are tough but the play for 57 minutes was excruciating to watch.

Detroit is not going to be a pushover with play like that. We better step it up and get tuned up for Denver.

 

[Ashwynn]

We came out flat and uninspired....but we found a way to win the game. Thats what Champions do. We are well on our way to becoming a contender, picking up lessons here and there. this was a good one to learn, just as we have lost like this, winning like this should show the boys, no matter how flat you come out, you can still win the game if you play good solid football for 60 minutes. Just as our loss showed us we can lose a game like this is we dont play for 60 minutes.

 

[Doomsday101]

The thread about this being a defining game yesterday was about how we come in and make our mark and establish ourselves as a threat to win the NFC.

We sure did not do that. We were flat and lacked fire and emotion. A very sad game IMO. Coming back off Bye weeks are tough but the play for 57 minutes was excruciating to watch.

Detroit is not going to be a pushover with play like that. We better step it up and get tuned up for Denver.

I agree we played poor most of the night and lucky to walk out with a win but I'm still damn happy to be 6-3 with a 3-1 division record. No doubt we need to play much better starting next weekend aginst Det.

 

[Doomsday101]

We came out flat and uninspired....but we found a way to win the game. Thats what Champions do. We are well on our way to becoming a contender, picking up lessons here and there. this was a good one to learn, just as we have lost like this, winning like this should show the boys, no matter how flat you come out, you can still win the game if you play good solid football for 60 minutes. Just as our loss showed us we can lose a game like this is we dont play for 60 minutes.

The team played the way Bill looked on the sidelines. If a team ever captured the mood of their coach Dallas certainly look that way to me lastnight.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Who frickin cares whether it was a "defining game"? Last night's game was 1 of 16 games. 1 of 8 divisional games. Just because someone wrote a meaningless thread on a messageboard claiming it was more than that doesn't make it so.

Philly's season was on the line last night. Andy Reid knew it. Donovan McNabb knew it. The replacement center knew it. Their capacity crowd knew it. They played like it. We still came out with a win.

In case you haven't noticed, we haven't swept the Eagles in a season series since Chan Gailey's first year coaching. Style points really aren't necessary.

 

[Doomsday101]

Who frickin cares whether it was a "defining game"? Last night's game was 1 of 16 games. 1 of 8 divisional games. Just because someone wrote a meaningless thread on a messageboard claiming it was more than that doesn't make it so.

Philly's season was on the line last night. Andy Reid knew it. Donovan McNabb knew it. The replacement center knew it. Their capacity crowd knew it. They played like it. We still came out with a win.

In case you haven't noticed, we haven't swept the Eagles in a season series since Chan Gailey's first year coaching. Style points really aren't necessary.

Agree!!!! Not pretty but it counts the same in the standings.

 

[aikemirv]

Who frickin cares whether it was a "defining game"? Last night's game was 1 of 16 games. 1 of 8 divisional games. Just because someone wrote a meaningless thread on a messageboard claiming it was more than that doesn't make it so.

Philly's season was on the line last night. Andy Reid knew it. Donovan McNabb knew it. The replacement center knew it. Their capacity crowd knew it. They played like it. We still came out with a win.

In case you haven't noticed, we haven't swept the Eagles in a season series since Chan Gailey's first year coaching. Style points really aren't necessary.

A game such as the one we were discussing yesterday was about breeding confidence to go into opposing teams stadiums and play well and beating them when it counted.

I care because we came out flat in a game that was a big game and we should no fire and emotion. I would not think that the way we played last night was any kind of a confidence builder, so it does matter.

A win is a win in the standings no doubt, but some wins can propel a team and that is what we were looking for. I am not so sure that this game will do that!!

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

The team played the way Bill looked on the sidelines. If a team ever captured the mood of their coach Dallas certainly look that way to me lastnight.

I was thinking the same thing last night. We were very fortunate to win. After the game Parcells said something about playing 56 or so minutes of bad football and that we were lucky to win. But I will say this: We DID win because we played all 60 minutes of the game.

Yes, the first 56 of those minutes were pretty lousy but this team did not quit. Special teams set up the offense for the late touchdown drive and then the defense went against the Egles' strength to win the game in "statement" fashion. It was an all-around team effort and this game defines our team as one that will give you a full 60-minutes of competitive play on the field. I kind of like that.

**

 

[InmanRoshi]

A win is a win in the standings no doubt, but some wins can propel a team and that is what we were looking for. I am not so sure that this game will do that!!

It didn't seem to hurt the Commanders or Seahawks following the games they "didn't gain momentum in the season" against us.

We were outplayed. No doubt. Honestly, I was suspecting we would lose the game coming into it. Nothing in the tea leaves looked good for us heading into the game. Most playoff teams win at least a game or two where they were outplayed.

 

[CowboysFan28]

great post Inman....the Eagles were playing their hearts out..we really couldn't expect to dominate the game like last time....playing in philly is tough, and I am really happy we won, I don't care how!

 

[joseephuss]

Who frickin cares whether it was a "defining game"? Last night's game was 1 of 16 games. 1 of 8 divisional games. Just because someone wrote a meaningless thread on a messageboard claiming it was more than that doesn't make it so.

Philly's season was on the line last night. Andy Reid knew it. Donovan McNabb knew it. The replacement center knew it. Their capacity crowd knew it. They played like it. We still came out with a win.

In case you haven't noticed, we haven't swept the Eagles in a season series since Chan Gailey's first year coaching. Style points really aren't necessary.

Every game is a defining game. Every game provides lessons about a team's strengths and weaknesses. They just have to use that information and learn from it.

By the way, there are only 6 division games these days. There no longer is a 5th team(Arizona) in the division to provide 8 games.

 

[DallasInDC]

The thread about this being a defining game yesterday was about how we come in and make our mark and establish ourselves as a threat to win the NFC.

We sure did not do that. We were flat and lacked fire and emotion. A very sad game IMO. Coming back off Bye weeks are tough but the play for 57 minutes was excruciating to watch.

Detroit is not going to be a pushover with play like that. We better step it up and get tuned up for Denver.

I completely disagree. This game may not have been a defining moment in the eyes of our opponents or fans, but to the team it may be the most pivotal game of the season. It was obvious looking at Parcells that he was just going through the motions (which is completely understandable) and the team played about as bad as they possibly could but they never gave up. This team showed the Coach that they are fighters and won't quit, that they can deal with adverse situations.

I believe the outcome of this game will have a much bigger impact than a dominating win would have. It keeps the team grounded and aware that they have to play hard to win - there are no giveme games on our schedule. But more importantly it will improve the unity/cohesion of the team, improve their confidence level and earned the respect of both the Coaches and the players. Parcell's comment on "not having a troubled heart" and RW's comment on "the team having parcells back" is very telling that the cowboys are developing into family willing to lay it on the line in so as not to let there family members down. This cowboy team with its unity, talent and quality character has the making of a very special team for years to come - BANK IT!

 

[MinnesotaCowboy]

This game almost spoiled the debut of my new 60" HDTV..........but like everyone else on this board I will take an "ugly" win anyday vs. a "beautiful" loss!

 

[Doomsday101]

This game almost spoiled the debut of my new 60" HDTV..........but like everyone else on this board I will take an "ugly" win anyday vs. a "beautiful" loss!

I agree, we outplayed the Commanders but I did not feel great about the loss, lastnight we got outplayed by the eagles and I feel damn happy about sitting at 6-3 right now. That does not mean I'm happy with the overall play but at the end of the year no one cares if a win was pretty or not

 

[Shaun]

A "defining" game would also put a bullseye on the 'boys. A lot of other fans don't give the 'boys the respect they deserve and I'm sure opposing players feel the same way. I'm also very happy with how the defense played.

 

[AsthmaField]

All teams have games when they're flat. Pittsburgh, when they played the Ravens a few Sunday nights ago looked just like us last night. The Ravens are a sorry group, and just like us last night, the Steelers found a way to win that game. The only difference was that Pitt was at home and we were on the road. That's what the good teams do... find a way to pull out the game even though they're really off.

The last few years we had games when we were off. The difference is that now, we're a good team and then we weren't. Think of the Thanksgiving Dolphin game. We were off that day and ended up getting spanked something like 42 - 17. That's how these games used to come out... with us getting blown out.

Now, however, when we're playing like crap... we stay with a dangerous team, in their house, and are able to pull it out at the last second.

Games like this are inevitable. Just to be able to win it says volumes about this year's team and definately bodes well for the future and the rest of this season.

We're gonna end up winning a lot of games this year. This game convinced me of that.

 

[Doomsday101]

All teams have games when they're flat. Pittsburgh, when they played the Ravens a few Sunday nights ago looked just like us last night. The Ravens are a sorry group, and just like us last night, the Steelers found a way to win that game. The only difference was that Pitt was at home and we were on the road. That's what the good teams do... find a way to pull out the game even though they're really off.

The last few years we had games when we were off. The difference is that now, we're a good team and then we weren't. Think of the Thanksgiving Dolphin game. We were off that day and ended up getting spanked something like 42 - 17. That's how these games used to come out... with us getting blown out.

Now, however, when we're playing like crap... we stay with a dangerous team, in their house, and are able to pull it out at the last second.

Games like this are inevitable. Just to be able to win it says volumes about this year's team and definately bodes well for the future and the rest of this season.

We're gonna end up winning a lot of games this year. This game convinced me of that.

Or the Colts beating the browns 13 to 6 at home, not every game is going to be a well played game but good teams find a way to win and that is what the Boys did last night. They hung in there and when the oppertunity came they grabbed it.

 

[InmanRoshi]

All teams have games when they're flat. Pittsburgh, when they played the Ravens a few Sunday nights ago looked just like us last night. The Ravens are a sorry group, and just like us last night, the Steelers found a way to win that game. The only difference was that Pitt was at home and we were on the road. That's what the good teams do... find a way to pull out the game even though they're really off.

The last few years we had games when we were off. The difference is that now, we're a good team and then we weren't. Think of the Thanksgiving Dolphin game. We were off that day and ended up getting spanked something like 42 - 17. That's how these games used to come out... with us getting blown out.

Now, however, when we're playing like crap... we stay with a dangerous team, in their house, and are able to pull it out at the last second.

Games like this are inevitable. Just to be able to win it says volumes about this year's team and definately bodes well for the future and the rest of this season.

We're gonna end up winning a lot of games this year. This game convinced me of that.

Exactly. Look at the Green Bay game as to what happened last year when we came out flat on the road.