PAiN
01-07-2015, 06:17 PM
Surging Cowboys Head to Green Bay Confident and Hungry for More
Jan 7, 2015
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/225/270/hi-res-293ee8c7011066ba77b65d78e323347f_crop_north.jpg?w= 630&h=420&q=75
Tony Romo and the Cowboys are pleased with getting their first playoff win since 2009, but they are heading to Green Bay confident and hungry for more.
IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have already accomplished more than they or anyone could have imagined in 2014.
After finishing 8-8 each of the last three years and coming into the season with a younger and seemingly less talented roster, most had them pegged to finish 7-9 or worse.
Yet, the Cowboys proved to be the biggest surprise in the NFL, winning the NFC East with a 12-4 record. They built on that in last Sunday’s 24-20 NFC Wild Card victory against the Detroit Lions.
It was with their first playoff win since 2009, their second since 1996.
Considering their humble beginnings to the season, the Cowboys appear to be heading to Green Bay for Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game playing with house money.
A loss can’t dampen what they have already accomplished with this improbable run, and they have plenty to build on for next season.
Of course, the success-hungry Cowboys didn’t get here by accepting the outside world’s idea of what they should be.
And they have no interest in doing that now, not when they are one game away from the NFC title game and two wins away from their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1995.
“I know what the consequences are,” owner Jerry Jones said. “It’s all out there for us on Sunday. There’s no looking at, ‘Well, we done great. We’ll build from this.’ That has nothing to do with it. We’ll miss a great opportunity if we go up there and don’t get this game won.”
Certainly, the Cowboys (13-4) are aware that the Packers (12-4) are undefeated and seemingly untouchable at home.
The Packers averaged 39.8 points in eight home wins this season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 25 touchdown passes and no interceptions with a quarterback rating of 133.2 at Lambeau Field in 2014.
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/article/media_slots/photos/001/908/290/hi-res-8604f8204167be47e593226a9875ac34_crop_exact.jpg?w= 650&h=432&q=85
Tony Romo has played just as well on the road as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has at home.
But this is a Cowboys team that is as comfortable on the road as any in the league. The Cowboys were a perfect 8-0 on the road this year. No other team had fewer than two road losses.
And as great as Rodgers has been at home, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been equally sensational on the road. Romo threw 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions and had a sizzling quarterback rating of 121.8.
And while Rodgers is considered the front-runner for the NFL MVP award after throwing 38 touchdowns with just five interceptions this season, it must be noted that Romo finished first in the league and ahead of Rodgers in quarterback rating, completion percentage and yards per attempt.
“I think obviously it’s going to be a tough game,” Romo said. “They’re outstanding. Green Bay is as good as we’ve gone against offensively, and they’re playing really good defensive football, too. It’s going to be a great challenge. I do know that this is the kind of games you want to be playing in, though, and we have the kind of football team where I’m very confident has a good chance to go up there and play a good game.”
Giving the Cowboys even more confidence is the presence of running back DeMarco Murray, who led the NFL in rushing with 1,845 yards.
He has been the focal point of the team’s attack all season and will be even more so in the freezing temperatures at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
The Packers finished 23rd in the league against the run, giving up an average of 119.9 yards per game.
And despite Rodgers’ prowess, the Cowboys defense is also heading into the Packers game with growing confidence. Including the Lions game, the Cowboys have forced 15 turnovers in the last five games dating back to the last month of the regular season. They've also recorded 12 sacks in the last four games.
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/article/media_slots/photos/001/908/292/hi-res-5b050987074633bf91e2050859737bc8_crop_exact.jpg?w= 650&h=433&q=85
The improving Cowboys defense has 12 sacks in the past four games and 15 turnovers in the last five, dating back to the last month of the regular season.
“We're in a good spot right now, but each week you've got to get better, especially in the playoffs,” cornerback Brandon Carr said. “The opponent gets bigger; the challenge gets bigger each and every week. You have to elevate your game. Not necessarily elevate your game, but nothing matters right now. The teams that are in the playoffs are good, bottom line. You have to go in there each and every game, fight, scratch and claw, come up with the victory. Our focus is to get this victory on Sunday.”
There is no sense of satisfaction or resting on their laurels. Not Romo, star-crossed quarterback, who is thirsting for more playoff success to complete his legacy, and not a once-proud franchise looking to reclaim its rightful spot among the league’s elite.
No one expected them to be here, but now that they are here, they are hell-bent on making the most of this opportunity for greatness.
After coming into the season with a motto of “fight,” the Cowboys are now focused on staying hungry and “finishing the fight” with an improbable run to the Super Bowl.
“We are confident,” defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. “We are as confident as they come. I feel good about the way we are playing. We are not thinking about the regular season. We are 1-0 in the playoffs. The hungry dog wins. The hungry dog eats. We have to stay hungry. We haven’t done nothing yet.”
Jan 7, 2015
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/225/270/hi-res-293ee8c7011066ba77b65d78e323347f_crop_north.jpg?w= 630&h=420&q=75
Tony Romo and the Cowboys are pleased with getting their first playoff win since 2009, but they are heading to Green Bay confident and hungry for more.
IRVING, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have already accomplished more than they or anyone could have imagined in 2014.
After finishing 8-8 each of the last three years and coming into the season with a younger and seemingly less talented roster, most had them pegged to finish 7-9 or worse.
Yet, the Cowboys proved to be the biggest surprise in the NFL, winning the NFC East with a 12-4 record. They built on that in last Sunday’s 24-20 NFC Wild Card victory against the Detroit Lions.
It was with their first playoff win since 2009, their second since 1996.
Considering their humble beginnings to the season, the Cowboys appear to be heading to Green Bay for Sunday’s NFC Divisional Playoff game playing with house money.
A loss can’t dampen what they have already accomplished with this improbable run, and they have plenty to build on for next season.
Of course, the success-hungry Cowboys didn’t get here by accepting the outside world’s idea of what they should be.
And they have no interest in doing that now, not when they are one game away from the NFC title game and two wins away from their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1995.
“I know what the consequences are,” owner Jerry Jones said. “It’s all out there for us on Sunday. There’s no looking at, ‘Well, we done great. We’ll build from this.’ That has nothing to do with it. We’ll miss a great opportunity if we go up there and don’t get this game won.”
Certainly, the Cowboys (13-4) are aware that the Packers (12-4) are undefeated and seemingly untouchable at home.
The Packers averaged 39.8 points in eight home wins this season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 25 touchdown passes and no interceptions with a quarterback rating of 133.2 at Lambeau Field in 2014.
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/article/media_slots/photos/001/908/290/hi-res-8604f8204167be47e593226a9875ac34_crop_exact.jpg?w= 650&h=432&q=85
Tony Romo has played just as well on the road as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has at home.
But this is a Cowboys team that is as comfortable on the road as any in the league. The Cowboys were a perfect 8-0 on the road this year. No other team had fewer than two road losses.
And as great as Rodgers has been at home, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been equally sensational on the road. Romo threw 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions and had a sizzling quarterback rating of 121.8.
And while Rodgers is considered the front-runner for the NFL MVP award after throwing 38 touchdowns with just five interceptions this season, it must be noted that Romo finished first in the league and ahead of Rodgers in quarterback rating, completion percentage and yards per attempt.
“I think obviously it’s going to be a tough game,” Romo said. “They’re outstanding. Green Bay is as good as we’ve gone against offensively, and they’re playing really good defensive football, too. It’s going to be a great challenge. I do know that this is the kind of games you want to be playing in, though, and we have the kind of football team where I’m very confident has a good chance to go up there and play a good game.”
Giving the Cowboys even more confidence is the presence of running back DeMarco Murray, who led the NFL in rushing with 1,845 yards.
He has been the focal point of the team’s attack all season and will be even more so in the freezing temperatures at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
The Packers finished 23rd in the league against the run, giving up an average of 119.9 yards per game.
And despite Rodgers’ prowess, the Cowboys defense is also heading into the Packers game with growing confidence. Including the Lions game, the Cowboys have forced 15 turnovers in the last five games dating back to the last month of the regular season. They've also recorded 12 sacks in the last four games.
http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/article/media_slots/photos/001/908/292/hi-res-5b050987074633bf91e2050859737bc8_crop_exact.jpg?w= 650&h=433&q=85
The improving Cowboys defense has 12 sacks in the past four games and 15 turnovers in the last five, dating back to the last month of the regular season.
“We're in a good spot right now, but each week you've got to get better, especially in the playoffs,” cornerback Brandon Carr said. “The opponent gets bigger; the challenge gets bigger each and every week. You have to elevate your game. Not necessarily elevate your game, but nothing matters right now. The teams that are in the playoffs are good, bottom line. You have to go in there each and every game, fight, scratch and claw, come up with the victory. Our focus is to get this victory on Sunday.”
There is no sense of satisfaction or resting on their laurels. Not Romo, star-crossed quarterback, who is thirsting for more playoff success to complete his legacy, and not a once-proud franchise looking to reclaim its rightful spot among the league’s elite.
No one expected them to be here, but now that they are here, they are hell-bent on making the most of this opportunity for greatness.
After coming into the season with a motto of “fight,” the Cowboys are now focused on staying hungry and “finishing the fight” with an improbable run to the Super Bowl.
“We are confident,” defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. “We are as confident as they come. I feel good about the way we are playing. We are not thinking about the regular season. We are 1-0 in the playoffs. The hungry dog wins. The hungry dog eats. We have to stay hungry. We haven’t done nothing yet.”