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2007 SCHEDULE
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
PRE-SEASON
Thu Aug 9 INDIANAPOLIS
(FOX) 7:00 pm
Sat Aug 18 DENVER (BSM)
7:00 pm
Sat Aug 25 @ Houston
(BSM) 7:00 pm
Thu Aug 30 @ Minnesota
(BSM) 7:00 pm
REGULAR SEASON
1. Sun, Sept. 9 NY GIANTS
(NBC) 7:15 pm
2. Sun, Sept. 16 @ Miami
(FOX) 3:05 pm
3. Sun, Sept. 23 @
Chicago (NBC) 7:15 pm
4. Sun, Sept. 30 ST. LOUIS
(FOX) Noon
5. Mon, Oct. 8 @ Buffalo
(ESPN) 7:30 pm
6. Sun, Oct. 14 NEW
ENGLAND (CBS) 3:15 pm
7. Sun, Oct. 21
MINNESOTA (FOX) Noon
8. Sun, Oct. 28 BYE WEEK
9. Sun, Nov 4 @
Philadelphia (NBC) 7:15
pm
10. Sun, Nov. 11 @ NY
Giants (FOX) 3:15 pm
11. Sun, Nov. 18
WASHINGTON (FOX) Noon
12. Thu, Nov. 22 NY JETS
(CBS) 3:15 pm
13. Thu, Nov. 29 GREEN
BAY (NFL) 7:15 pm
14. Sun, Dec. 9 @ Detroit
(FOX) Noon
15. Sun, Dec. 16 PHILLY
(FOX) 3:15 pm
16. Sat, Dec. 22 @
Carolina (NFL) 7:15 pm
17. Sun, Dec. 30 @
Washington (FOX) Noon
| Cowboy's Trivia Question of the Week! Who is the oldest player on the Cowboys' roster? Last Week's Answer: Danny White |
Packers/Cowboys Preview
Well the Dual in Dallas II is fast approaching. This might be the
biggest match up of the year. The Cowboys are back in case you
haven't noticed. Two of the three marquee match ups of this
season have involved Dallas.
I think a lot of match ups in this game are a given. The Packers
will pass all over the Cowboys. The Packers will not run on the
Cowboys. The Cowboys should have little trouble passing the ball
as well. The key will be Dallas's run game. This is the one wild
card I see.
This is the only match up on paper difficult to predict. We have a
good run offense, but the Packers have a pretty good run defense.
Our possible inability to run the ball definitely wouldn't signal a
defeat. We could struggle to run the ball and Tony Romo could still
throw five touchdown passes. However, 150 yards on the ground
would go along way towards securing a Dallas victory.
This balance is precisely why I think Dallas will win this close game.
The Packers are under tremendous pressure to score points and
to slow down our passing attack. They know they cannot run the
ball. That is a huge disadvantage. They are gonna be gunning
from the beginning. We shouldn't be too conservative at the
beginning of the game because we don't want to start with a couple
of three and outs trying to run into a wall. However, it would be nice
if we could establish the run early and keep Brett Favre off the
field. We haven't really done a great job of establishing the run
early this season though. We tend to lean on the pass to jump out
to a lead, then we pound the ball in the 2nd half.
Everything considered with the running game, the Cowboys still
need to pass the ball effectively to win in what might be a shootout.
That is basically common sense though. We aren't going to win the
game is Romo has 150 yards. If we execute properly, there is not a
defense in the NFL that can do much to slow us down. We haven't
made a habit of stumbling in certain games this season and I don't
expect this game to be any different though. We better execute
though because the Packers pass defense is solid. They have
good pass rushers and a good cornerback tandem. My worst fear
is that a good cornerback and a safety over the top can contain
Terrell Owens. Then on the other side you have another good
corner on Patrick Crayton. I don't trust him to win that match up
enough for us to win. We would then be relying on Jason Witten for
the majority of our offense. That would put a lot of pressure on the
trigger man Romo. I could see the Packers giving us a little trouble
for maybe half this game, but we will eventually get them figured
out. Their biggest strength is pass rush, but I'm not too worried
about it. Marc Colombo will get a big test with Aaron Kampman, but
he will routinely get help as Flozell will be fine on by himself on the
left side.
I'm excited about this game. This is what football is all about. This
game is great because it is simply a measuring stick. We can lose
and still be one heck of a team. We failed our test against the
Patriots so I'm anxious to see how we do against a similar wide
open offense. If we perform pretty well it gives us confidence that
we could beat the Patriots if we were to play them again.
Overall, I see this game being fairly high scoring. Brett Favre will
have over 300 yards in a performance similar to what Jason
Campbell gave. It will take a lot of attempts to get to that 300 yards
which means that number wouldn't be as impressive. He will
probably need to get closer to 400 if the Packers are to win. We
will do just enough on defense by slowing the Packers down in the
redzone and forcing a turnover or two. The Cowboys will win at
home 34, 30.
Well the Dual in Dallas II is fast approaching. This might be the
biggest match up of the year. The Cowboys are back in case you
haven't noticed. Two of the three marquee match ups of this
season have involved Dallas.
I think a lot of match ups in this game are a given. The Packers
will pass all over the Cowboys. The Packers will not run on the
Cowboys. The Cowboys should have little trouble passing the ball
as well. The key will be Dallas's run game. This is the one wild
card I see.
This is the only match up on paper difficult to predict. We have a
good run offense, but the Packers have a pretty good run defense.
Our possible inability to run the ball definitely wouldn't signal a
defeat. We could struggle to run the ball and Tony Romo could still
throw five touchdown passes. However, 150 yards on the ground
would go along way towards securing a Dallas victory.
This balance is precisely why I think Dallas will win this close game.
The Packers are under tremendous pressure to score points and
to slow down our passing attack. They know they cannot run the
ball. That is a huge disadvantage. They are gonna be gunning
from the beginning. We shouldn't be too conservative at the
beginning of the game because we don't want to start with a couple
of three and outs trying to run into a wall. However, it would be nice
if we could establish the run early and keep Brett Favre off the
field. We haven't really done a great job of establishing the run
early this season though. We tend to lean on the pass to jump out
to a lead, then we pound the ball in the 2nd half.
Everything considered with the running game, the Cowboys still
need to pass the ball effectively to win in what might be a shootout.
That is basically common sense though. We aren't going to win the
game is Romo has 150 yards. If we execute properly, there is not a
defense in the NFL that can do much to slow us down. We haven't
made a habit of stumbling in certain games this season and I don't
expect this game to be any different though. We better execute
though because the Packers pass defense is solid. They have
good pass rushers and a good cornerback tandem. My worst fear
is that a good cornerback and a safety over the top can contain
Terrell Owens. Then on the other side you have another good
corner on Patrick Crayton. I don't trust him to win that match up
enough for us to win. We would then be relying on Jason Witten for
the majority of our offense. That would put a lot of pressure on the
trigger man Romo. I could see the Packers giving us a little trouble
for maybe half this game, but we will eventually get them figured
out. Their biggest strength is pass rush, but I'm not too worried
about it. Marc Colombo will get a big test with Aaron Kampman, but
he will routinely get help as Flozell will be fine on by himself on the
left side.
I'm excited about this game. This is what football is all about. This
game is great because it is simply a measuring stick. We can lose
and still be one heck of a team. We failed our test against the
Patriots so I'm anxious to see how we do against a similar wide
open offense. If we perform pretty well it gives us confidence that
we could beat the Patriots if we were to play them again.
Overall, I see this game being fairly high scoring. Brett Favre will
have over 300 yards in a performance similar to what Jason
Campbell gave. It will take a lot of attempts to get to that 300 yards
which means that number wouldn't be as impressive. He will
probably need to get closer to 400 if the Packers are to win. We
will do just enough on defense by slowing the Packers down in the
redzone and forcing a turnover or two. The Cowboys will win at
home 34, 30.
Cowboys vs. Packers Game Notes
I couldn't be happier with the way all three phases performed
Thursday night. We only won by ten, but a couple of plays made
the score closer than the game appeared when watching.
Tony Romo put on a quarterbacking clinic. He hit pass after pass
down the field and he didn't make any bad decisions. He should
have had five touchdowns and no interceptions, but Owens's freak
play in the endzone cost him. That play kept the Packers in it and
actually gave them a chance to take the lead down only three.
Luckily the defense stepped up.
Marion Barber and the offensive line came up big last night. That
time grinding field goal drive late in the 4th quarter put the game
away. This team always seems to run the ball well late in the game.
Marc Colombo is quickly becoming one of my favorite Cowboy
players. He had his hands full with Aaron Kampman, but he held his
own. He got beat a couple of times, but he didn't allow a sack and
we weren't giving him just tons of help over there. He isn't the most
gifted athlete, but Marc Colombo will battle you to the bitter end
I thought our defense handled the Packers offense pretty well.
Brett Favre was awful before leaving with injury. You could tell we
had him a bit rattled. We were hammering him on every play and
he kept forcing the ball down the field. We picked off two of his
passes in the first half. Terence Newman had an interception for
the third straight game giving him four on the year. Ken Hamlin
added another one, giving him five on the year.
Our pass rush was dominant last night. Greg Ellis is now 2nd in the
NFL in sacks with 10.5. Ware is right behind him with 10. I don't
know what has happened with Ellis, but he is having by far his best
season of his career. I never would have expected that coming off
his injury.
Our secondary gave up some plays, but that is going to happen.
We were playing a great offense. You have to put it in perspective.
Our defense sure did a heck of a lot better than the Packers
defense which was supposed to be the better unit. I'm also not
buying the fact that Aaron Rodgers helped us because he played a
lot better than Favre was playing. He was throwing the ball
underneath and letting his receivers pick up first down. This is what
the Packers do best and this is what the Cowboys struggled to stop
with the Patriots.
The bottom line with this defense is that it always seems to shut the
other team down when it has to. The Packers had two different
drives in the 4th quarter to get back in the game and they couldn't
do it. We may give up some plays, but we are going to get pressure
and force turnovers.
The only play that annoyed me with this defense was the Ryan
Grant run. They guy didn't do anything but run straight. Ken
Hamlin and Roy Williams were both playing back to make sure
Grant wouldn't break a long run if he went untouched through the
line. He came through with a head of steam and neither guy
seemed ready to make the tackle. It is like they just assumed he
would be tackled at the line of scrimmage. Hamlin came in and
dove at his feet, but Roy Williams was so surprised he took a
horrible angle in and didn't even get close to touching Grant. That
is inexcusable. I could understand if it was Adrian Peterson and he
put a nice move on them, but Grant just ran in a straight line 62
yards for a touchdown. Other than that though, I thought the
defense played their heart out.
I'd have to say Tank Johnson has been a bit of a bust thus far. I still
think he might be able to contribute, but he isn't playing very much.
Stephen Bowen has made a few plays throughout this year and he
seems to be playing more than Tank.
Miles Austin might finally be figuring it out on offense. He had a
couple of nice catches against the Jets. He didn't show up on the
stat sheet against the Packers, but his two 40+ yard pass
interference calls set up touchdowns. He oozes ability. If we can
figure it out, he will be special. He beat the Packers deep on two
occasions. He has more speed than Patrick Crayton or Sam Hurd
and at 6'3 220 he sure is a lot bigger too.
Austin also had a big impact on a special teams unit that dominated
the Packers. Nick Folk had three field goals including a 51 yarder.
Miles Austin consistently gave us great field position on kick-off
returns. Our kick-off coverage finally showed up as well. We got
down better on the deep directional kicks by Folk and made the
tackle before the 25 on most occasions. Keith Davis lit up the
returner on a 2nd half kick-off.
You have to be pleased with this team. We are 11-1 for the first
time in franchise history. Any other year we would probably be the
runaway favorite for the championship. I don't know that we are
quite on the level with the Patriots, but I know that if you can get to
the game you have a shot at winning it and that is all you can ask
for.
I couldn't be happier with the way all three phases performed
Thursday night. We only won by ten, but a couple of plays made
the score closer than the game appeared when watching.
Tony Romo put on a quarterbacking clinic. He hit pass after pass
down the field and he didn't make any bad decisions. He should
have had five touchdowns and no interceptions, but Owens's freak
play in the endzone cost him. That play kept the Packers in it and
actually gave them a chance to take the lead down only three.
Luckily the defense stepped up.
Marion Barber and the offensive line came up big last night. That
time grinding field goal drive late in the 4th quarter put the game
away. This team always seems to run the ball well late in the game.
Marc Colombo is quickly becoming one of my favorite Cowboy
players. He had his hands full with Aaron Kampman, but he held his
own. He got beat a couple of times, but he didn't allow a sack and
we weren't giving him just tons of help over there. He isn't the most
gifted athlete, but Marc Colombo will battle you to the bitter end
I thought our defense handled the Packers offense pretty well.
Brett Favre was awful before leaving with injury. You could tell we
had him a bit rattled. We were hammering him on every play and
he kept forcing the ball down the field. We picked off two of his
passes in the first half. Terence Newman had an interception for
the third straight game giving him four on the year. Ken Hamlin
added another one, giving him five on the year.
Our pass rush was dominant last night. Greg Ellis is now 2nd in the
NFL in sacks with 10.5. Ware is right behind him with 10. I don't
know what has happened with Ellis, but he is having by far his best
season of his career. I never would have expected that coming off
his injury.
Our secondary gave up some plays, but that is going to happen.
We were playing a great offense. You have to put it in perspective.
Our defense sure did a heck of a lot better than the Packers
defense which was supposed to be the better unit. I'm also not
buying the fact that Aaron Rodgers helped us because he played a
lot better than Favre was playing. He was throwing the ball
underneath and letting his receivers pick up first down. This is what
the Packers do best and this is what the Cowboys struggled to stop
with the Patriots.
The bottom line with this defense is that it always seems to shut the
other team down when it has to. The Packers had two different
drives in the 4th quarter to get back in the game and they couldn't
do it. We may give up some plays, but we are going to get pressure
and force turnovers.
The only play that annoyed me with this defense was the Ryan
Grant run. They guy didn't do anything but run straight. Ken
Hamlin and Roy Williams were both playing back to make sure
Grant wouldn't break a long run if he went untouched through the
line. He came through with a head of steam and neither guy
seemed ready to make the tackle. It is like they just assumed he
would be tackled at the line of scrimmage. Hamlin came in and
dove at his feet, but Roy Williams was so surprised he took a
horrible angle in and didn't even get close to touching Grant. That
is inexcusable. I could understand if it was Adrian Peterson and he
put a nice move on them, but Grant just ran in a straight line 62
yards for a touchdown. Other than that though, I thought the
defense played their heart out.
I'd have to say Tank Johnson has been a bit of a bust thus far. I still
think he might be able to contribute, but he isn't playing very much.
Stephen Bowen has made a few plays throughout this year and he
seems to be playing more than Tank.
Miles Austin might finally be figuring it out on offense. He had a
couple of nice catches against the Jets. He didn't show up on the
stat sheet against the Packers, but his two 40+ yard pass
interference calls set up touchdowns. He oozes ability. If we can
figure it out, he will be special. He beat the Packers deep on two
occasions. He has more speed than Patrick Crayton or Sam Hurd
and at 6'3 220 he sure is a lot bigger too.
Austin also had a big impact on a special teams unit that dominated
the Packers. Nick Folk had three field goals including a 51 yarder.
Miles Austin consistently gave us great field position on kick-off
returns. Our kick-off coverage finally showed up as well. We got
down better on the deep directional kicks by Folk and made the
tackle before the 25 on most occasions. Keith Davis lit up the
returner on a 2nd half kick-off.
You have to be pleased with this team. We are 11-1 for the first
time in franchise history. Any other year we would probably be the
runaway favorite for the championship. I don't know that we are
quite on the level with the Patriots, but I know that if you can get to
the game you have a shot at winning it and that is all you can ask
for.