This game means little...

[Doomsday101]

Ok, I probably worded the thread title poorly.

My point is this. This game will not by itself define the season. Its easy to think this is our chance for respect. To shove it down the Giants or media's throat. To take a stand and prove a point.

But the reality is, we did this back in September of 2007. Beat em. Followed it with a win in the Meadowlands that year as well. And while both wins absolutely helped us win the division and earn home field, it went *poof* when we lost to them in January. Meant little to nothing.

We're going to be positioned for a playoff run in December whether we win this Sunday or not. I firmly believe that. And it will be how we play that stretch run and the playoff game(s) that will define this season, not this weekend's game.

Its easy to think this weekend is critical. I just don't believe it is. I don't want us to overreact one way or the other to a win or a loss.

I'm mostly going to try to enjoy the game for what it is. 1 game of 16. Against a very good opponent, who just happens to despise us. That'll be fun. But my focus, like all of ours, is longer term than just this week.

I agree that this game does not make or break the Cowboys season. It is big just because it is a divisional game but win or lose there is still allot of football ahead of this team.

 

[Fletch]

It's a very important game. A division rival at home, nonetheless. We need as many wins as possible, and for all of it to carry over into December and January.

 

[Alexander]

I don't know about anyone else, but I am going to be pissed out of my mind if we lose the stadium opener to the FREAKING GIANTS after losing the stadium closer to the Ravens.

Is that too much pressure early in the season? Don't care. This is a big deal, IMO.

If we lose I'll be inconsolable until at least Thursday. We've got to beat the hell out of them.

I don't care about the fact that it is the opener of the new stadium.

I do care it is a home divisional game. This one is important.

 

[CoCo]

I agree that this game does not make or break the Cowboys season. It is big just because it is a divisional game but win or lose there is still allot of football ahead of this team.

Agreed.

 

[Big Dakota]

Make no mistake, this is HUGE!

 

[zeroburrito]

this game means a ton. we need as many wins early as we can get because the december schedule is incredibly ridiculous.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

This team is and should be beyond any "steps in the right direction" games or moral victories. I'd reserve those type of games for the likes of Detroit and St. Louis.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

This game means little? Boy what have you been smoking????????? You MUST WIN divisional home games to even have a chance to make the playoffs.

 

[lurkercowboy]

Ok, I probably worded the thread title poorly.

My point is this. This game will not by itself define the season. Its easy to think this is our chance for respect. To shove it down the Giants or media's throat. To take a stand and prove a point.

But the reality is, we did this back in September of 2007. Beat em. Followed it with a win in the Meadowlands that year as well. And while both wins absolutely helped us win the division and earn home field, it went *poof* when we lost to them in January. Meant little to nothing.

We're going to be positioned for a playoff run in December whether we win this Sunday or not. I firmly believe that. And it will be how we play that stretch run and the playoff game(s) that will define this season, not this weekend's game.

Its easy to think this weekend is critical. I just don't believe it is. I don't want us to overreact one way or the other to a win or a loss.

I'm mostly going to try to enjoy the game for what it is. 1 game of 16. Against a very good opponent, who just happens to despise us. That'll be fun. But my focus, like all of ours, is longer term than just this week.

Do you think if the Cowboys had won the division in 2007 on the last Sunday with a come-from-behind last second TD against the Commanders, that would have been forgotten after the playoff defeat to the Giants?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I couldn't disagree with the OP more. This is a VERY big game for a couple of reasons.

#1: It's a divisional game.
#2: It's a home game.

You have to bank as many of those types of games as you can, no matter when they fall in your schedule, so that makes this of huge importance.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

All division games are big games...and home division games are HUGE, because that is your best shot to get a leg up on your rivals.

Exactly, for thse reasons it's an important game.

However, it's week two, so it's certainly not the "must-win" game some fans are trying to make it out to be.

 

[Aven8]

Home field, Divisional, etc. Those are all important.

But IMO, why this game is really important is to get that bad taste out of there mouths from the Philly game last year, and most importantly a test to how good we really are.

Say what you want about TO, Ellis, Roy31, etc. but they were all veterens we lost and this team needs to prove what they can do as a young team.

We need a shot of confidence...and beating the Gmen by 21, or 1 will help this team in the long run!

 

[bbgun]

Something tells me the OP will be whistling a different tune if we win the game.

 

[Bleu Star]

This
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V

I don't know about anyone else, but I am going to be pissed out of my mind if we lose the stadium opener to the FREAKING GIANTS after losing the stadium closer to the Ravens.

Is that too much pressure early in the season? Don't care. This is a big deal, IMO.

If we lose I'll be inconsolable until at least Thursday. We've got to beat the hell out of them.

 

[skinsscalper]

in the big scheme of things, yes, it does mean little. If we lose, we lost a game we weren't supposed to win (in most peoples eyes) If we win it is still not a december victory. This is a big game none the less because it is a divisional game and it is at home.

^^^ This

Division home games are most important. Followed by Division road games, NFC games, and finally AFC games.

^^^This

Damn skippy. I would add that division home games against the defending NFCE champions jump to the top of the list.

^^^This

It's a big game. It's against a division rival and it's early in the season, good time to start collection wins for the late stretch.

Before we can do well in the playoffs for the first time in a decade, we have to get there. I'm not taking anything for granted.

^^^This

Every loss is damaging if, at season's end, it prevents you from accomplishing your goals. Early losses would leave us with less wiggle room for failure in December, so it's best to collect all the W's that we possibly can before the tougher portion of the schedule kicks in.

^^^This

I consider this an important game just for the simple fact it is a divisional game and they mean allot in the overall picture. A loss clearly is not the end of the season but it is still hurts losing to Divisional games

^^^This

All division games are big games...and home division games are HUGE, because that is your best shot to get a leg up on your rivals.

....^^^ and This

After that I got sick of quoting. After watching us miss the playoffs by one game last season, they're all critical as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Doomsday101]

This is a divisional game for me home or away does not make a difference they are big games any time you face off with a division opponent. However I also understand what Coco is getting at, if Dallas wins this does not ensure a SB or if we lose the season is not over so from that stand point this is not a do or die game but it is a big game and if you hope for winning the division you know you can't afford to lose many division games

 

[Bleu Star]

if you hope for winning the division you know you can't afford to lose many division games

That said, it's not good to start behind the 8 ball with a loss. Big game. Seeing who steps up will be fun.

 

[Doomsday101]

That said, it's not good to start behind the 8 ball with a loss. Big game. Seeing who steps up will be fun.

Totally agree but what ever the outcome win or lose Dallas has to put it behind them afterwards and get ready for the next game.

 

[viman96]

This is a big game. Losing Sunday just adds more pressure to win later in the year in NY. It does not make or break the season but it is a tone setter for sure.

 

[LongSnapper]

bull**** every game is IMPORTANT this is about FINISHING EACH AND EVERY WEEK