This was definitely a must win, the Cowboys had to win one of two next games, and the Cowboys avoided a last minute surge from the Bucs to take the win at home. Wade probably saved his job here, it was do or die.
Much of the talk leading up to the game centered itself around the supposed demotion of Brian Stewart. Several reports and comments on the matter still leave the change on defense in question; however, it did look like Phillips was making calls from the sideline, and the defense stiffened up throughout the game. There were some nice blitz packages that were actually effective. Jerry gave the gameball to Phillips:
Jerry stood in the Cowboys’ locker room in Irving today and gave Phillips the game ball.
That might have been a first for Jerry. He couldn’t recall for sure, but handing the game ball to his head coach after a win is certainly rare.
“Wade Phillips did his job today,” said Jerry, who praised Phillips “gutsy” calls and shrewd psychological moves. “Today was a big victory for this team. It gives us a chance to stay in the hunt of where we want to be at the end of the year. (DMNBlog)
This was an ugly win, I’ll take it. We are now 5-3 going to NY, and we’re still in the hunt in the NFC despite all the distractions and horrid play from previous weeks. I hope this game is a preview of things to come from the defense because it was good.
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