Nov 30, 2007
Cowboys clinch playoff berth and take control of NFC
IRVING — On a night for past champions at Texas Stadium, the Cowboys might have taken a big step toward crowning a new one.The much-anticipated showdown with the Green Bay Packers appeared to be an early Cowboys blowout before becoming a game of survival.
They led 27-10 in the second quarter but only 27-24 in the third before completing the 37-27 victory.
The Cowboys now have their sights firmly set on a making a Super Bowl run for the first time since 1996.
“This was two 10-1 teams,” Cowboys coach Wade Phillip said. “Somebody had to step forward and we stepped forward.”
Credit quarterback Tony Romo, who outdueled boyhood idol Brett Favre. Romo completed 19 of 30 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns, setting a Cowboys single-season touchdown mark with 33.
“When I got out to the field, this was pretty neat,” said Romo, who grew up in Wisconsin. “This is why you want to play sports. If I knew we were going to win I would have wanted him to stay in there.”
Receiver Terrell Owens showed up big again in a big game, catching seven passes for 156 yards a touchdown _ his 14th of the season which tied Frank Clarke’s team record.
But don’t overlook a harassing Cowboys defense. It forced two Favre interceptions and knocked him from the game in the second quarter with an injured right elbow and separated left shoulder, sending the crowd into a frenzy and seemingly taking the steam out of a game that enjoyed a playoff atmosphere as well as huge playoff implications.
After backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers rallied the Packers to within 27-24, linebacker DeMarcus Ware came up with sack to end the comeback attempt.
The Cowboys, 11-1, clinched a playoff berth. It came on the same night that the 1977 and 1992 Super Bowl titles were honored at halftime.
But most important, the Cowboys have the inside track to home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs over the Packers, who dropped to 10-2.Although the Cowboys play three of the final four games on the road _ starting Dec. 9 against the Detroit Lions following a 10-day layoff _ a 15-1 finish is in the realm of possibility.
“We knew the magnitude of the game,” Owens said. “We got ourselves in the driver’s seat. We are excited about where we are. Our goal is get the playoff and get to the Super Bowl.”
Anything is possible after Thursday’s outcome.
And while the Cowboys defense softened after taking a 27-10 lead, it did set the tone early.
Pressure by defensive Stephen Bowen forced Favre’s first interception by safety Ken Hamlin picked off.
A 34-yard pass to Owens set up a 3-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton to make the score 13-3.
After Packers answered with a 62-touchdown from Ryan Grant, Romo to Owens struck again. A 48-yard pass to Owens was followed two plays later by a 26-yard touchdown strike to tight end Anthony Fasano.
On the ensuring series, backup safety/cornerback Nate Jones came unblocked on a blitz, hitting Favre’s arm causing the injuries. The ball went up the air, allowing cornerback Terence Newman to intercept it.
The Cowboys followed with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Owens.
The Cowboys seemingly had the Packers right where they wanted them _ up by 17 with a little used backup in the game.
But Rodgers directed a 74-yard scoring drive before half, capped by his first career touchdown pass to Greg Jennings from 11 yards out.
The Cowboys aided the Packers rally on the opening drive of the third quarter when they shunned possible 48-yard field goal _ Nick Folk had makes of 26 and 51 already _ and failed a fourth and two run.
The Packers turned it into another scoring drive, narrowing the gap to three on a Grant 1-yard run.
The now mistake-prone Cowboys gave up points again when Owens dropped a touchdown pass into the arms of cornerback Al Harris.
This time the defense came up big with a sack by Ware.
Romo then capped the monumental victory with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Crayton.
“This says we are a pretty good football team,” Romo said. “We are playing good football right now. Hopefully we will go into the playoffs on a winning streak and see what we can do.”
Add Crayton, “They were able to celebrate the 92 and 77 teams. That’s what we’re trying to do, bring another ring back to Dallas.”
