Game Preview
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys
saturday, december 20, 2008 - 8:15 pm
*Cowboys to close out stadium against Ravens*
Baltimore (9-5) at Dallas (9-5), 8:15 pm EST
IRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- Had things gone according to plan, the Dallas Cowboys might have been been able to focus on the passing of Texas Stadium in style. But after a tumultuous and often-disappointing 2008 campaign, any remaining sentiment for the last 37 years will have to go on the back burner.
A season that began with championship expectations continues Saturday night, as the Cowboys host the Baltimore Ravens in what likely will be the last game at Texas Stadium.
The team will move into a new, $1.3 billion coliseum in Arlington in 2009. The only way the Cowboys could play another game in Irving is if they earn a wild-card spot as the NFC's fifth seed and host the No. 6 seed in the conference championship game. However, getting the first part of that equation out of the way is enough of an uphill climb.
Although their status as Super Bowl favorite vanished long ago and even the NFC East title is out of its grasp after the reigning champion Giants clinched it two weeks ago, the Cowboys took a huge step toward restoring a bit of their luster over the weekend, toppling those same Giants with a 20-8 victory on Sunday night.
After a week loaded with controversy surrounding the allegedly tempestuous relationship between wide receiver Terrell Owens and tight end Jason Witten, the Cowboys put it all behind them - for 60 minutes, at least - to win for the third time in four games since quarterback Tony Romo's return to the lineup. His two Pro Bowl targets combined for just 82 yards and neither scored a touchdown, but Dallas maintained control throughout to put itself in the driver's seat in the NFC wild card race.
Romo completed 20-of-30 passes for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Patrick Crayton and Deon Anderson.
But it hasn't just been Romo's recovery from a broken pinkie finger spearheading the team's recent surge back into the playoff conversation. The Cowboys' defense - aided by head coach Wade Phillips recently taking over play-calling duties on game days - has flipped a switch during the last month.
Over the last four games, Dallas has held opponents to an average of 270.5 yards and has registered 24 sacks. The Cowboys have brought down opposing quarterbacks a league-high 53 times overall.
Leading that heavy pass rush is Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who is threatening Michael Strahan's single-season sack record of 22.5, set in 2001. Ware has an NFL-best 19 this season, including three in Sunday's victory over the Giants.
On Saturday, the Cowboy defenders will get to take their shots at rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, who threw a pair of interceptions and completed just 11 passes against the stingy Pittsburgh Steelers' defense in last week's 13-9 loss.
The Ravens are in much the same position as the Cowboys. The division title is out of the question, with Pittsburgh having clinched the AFC North with last week's triumph. But Baltimore still has its sights set on the postseason - and if the season ended today, it would be in. However, with three AFC East teams holding strong at 9-5 and the Indianapolis Colts at 10-4, the Ravens need all the wins they can get.
This will be the Ravens' first and last trip to Texas Stadium. Their only two meetings with the Cowboys - both victories - took place in Baltimore.
The Cowboys will pay tribute to the stadium following the game, with former players on hand to bid adieu to the field where the team has played since October 24, 1971 - a year in which the Cowboys went on to win Super Bowl VI, 24-3, over the Miami Dolphins.
Cowboys running back Marion Barber is dealing with a nagging toe injury and will be a game-time decision.