Why we should play for real

[Doomsday101]

I think the starters who are not nursing injuries will play at least a half other than that I highly doubt they will play the entire game.

 

[MikMak]

There is a lot of talk about resting starters...big mistake, IMO.

Teams that rest'em before a bye lose. 3 weeks off is way too much time away. You are rusty, timing is off, you are not ready for full contact and you are playing a team in their normal routine high off a playoff win. In other words you face a probable early hole to dig out of and very likely an early exit from the playoffs.

Another reason to play'em is it's Washington. One, we hate them and rolling over and giving them a playoff birth seems creepy...kinda like having sex with your sister kind of creepy. Two them getting in means 2 NFC East teams in as WC and greatly increases our chances of having to play one of them again and playing them a 3rd time sucks.

Statements...we have a statement to make. We have too many players on the roster who have been a part of several late season swoons. So far in December we are 2-1 and neither win was pretty. Entering the playoffs on a loss, going 2-2 in December doesn't sit well and shouldn't. Plus we have a shot at winning 14 games, something no Cowboys team has done before.

Now obviously we shouldn't play guys that are hurt or with nagging injuries, but everyone else should play and we should play it for real. Playing a quarter or a half is worthless and the message it sends is it doesn't matter, let's just cruise and not get hurt. Well, playing that way against a team needing to win, a team who is a hated division rival, is a sure way to get someone hurt.

So Wade, play'em. Play to win. Play aggressive on both sides of the ball. Get a big lead, knock them out of the playoffs and then get the starters out late when the game is won. Washington will be relaxed thinking we won't be playing for real and they are getting a gimme...so come out and smack them in the face.

If the Cowboys put the starters in I'll be curious to see how long Wade keeps them in if they are getting popped viciously which I'm sure they will.


Could you imagine him having to explain why his star quarterback is out for the playoffs because he played him in a meaningless game?

 

[BourbonBalz]

Don't forget guys, there's only 45 game-day roster spots. If starters are on the roster, they'll most likely play. Some injured starters won't make the trip. Those that do will play, at least some snaps.

 

[Doomsday101]

Don't forget guys, there's only 45 game-day roster spots. If starters are on the roster, they'll most likely play. Some injured starters won't make the trip. Those that do will play, at least some snaps.

I agree, I think the starters who are healthy will start the game I do think that somewhere within the game that Phillips will pull key starters. There is just not much to gain by keeping them in all 4 qrts.

 

[aikemirv]

Don't forget guys, there's only 45 game-day roster spots. If starters are on the roster, they'll most likely play. Some injured starters won't make the trip. Those that do will play, at least some snaps.

Inactive who are usually active would be ....

Newman - Oglesby?
Gurode - Proctor
Owens - Glenn
Watkins - Ball

Who else would sit completely?

Henry - I really doubt he is inactive
Ware - I doubt he is inactive either - just limited reps.

 

[bbgun]

Who was the last playoff team to play all out in their last game? It's almost unheard of.