[Bette]

This is the real big game.
Apparently, the other ones have just been opening acts for this showdown. We were fooled into thinking the Cowboys would get to see how good they were a couple of times this season.
But when the Patriots come to town on Sunday, this undoubtedly will be the test of all tests. This week, it's not about the team to beat in the conference, but the team to beat in the entire league. And not just this year, but the entire decade, too.

This is a statement game - not just for the Cowboys, but the Patriots, too. The statements are different, however.
For the Cowboys, New England is the standard they are trying to get to.
For the Patriots, the Cowboys are just another bump in the road. And more importantly, they're just the next bump.
For the Cowboys, they want to see if they are truly one of the best teams in the NFL right now.
The Patriots want to see if they're one of the best teams of all time.

But when it comes to seeing exactly where a team stands, this is the game the Cowboys should point to.
But one thing this game will probably do is show us what kind of team the Cowboys really are.
If they can hang with the Patriots, they are for real. No doubt. And if they can't, then we'll keep waiting . . . for the next measuring stick to come along.


DallasCowboys.com - News