Oct 21, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones point to the fans prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jerry Jones, arguably the face and ambassador of the Dallas Cowboys organization for 20 years is supposed to be sworn enemy of all things Philadelphia, New York and Washington. But last night as two NFC East foes faced off, the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, he found himself rooting for the Washington Redskins.
The New York Giants entered the game at 7-4 and Washington, who beat the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, were 5-6 and the Cowboys sat at 6-6 after defeating Philadelphia on Sunday night. A Giants loss would keep the Cowboys within one game of the divisional lead and a coveted playoff spot.
“We couldn’t believe Redskins was coming out of (our) mouths,” Jones said during a KRLD interview.
But the Redskins delivered keeping Cowboys’ playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, that win by Washington also brought the Redskins level with the Cowboys in the standings as both teams have 6-6 records. And the Redskins own the tie breaker after beating the Cowboys in their annual Thanksgiving game.
“That was a big win for them and us,” Jones said, according to Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Clarence Hill.
The Cowboys and the Giants have a much more difficult schedule left to close out the season. The Giants play New Orleans (5-7) at the Meadowlands, and then travel to Baltimore (9-3) and Atlanta (11-1) before finishing at home against the lowly Eagles (3-9). The Cowboys travel to Cincinnati (7-5) before returning home to host a Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) squad down to their 3rd string quarterback and a surging New Orleans Saints (5-7).
If tied with the Redskins entering the final game of the season, the Cowboys will face another essential NFC East Championship game. Dallas will travel to Washington in the season finale for what could be a game to determine the divisional crown if the Cowboys can stay level with the Redskins and the Giants falter in their difficult end of season stretch.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys they almost have to win out. The Redskins have a much easier remaining schedule. They host the Ravens (9-3) next week before facing the Cleveland Browns (4-8) and Eagles (3-9) on the road. Then the Dallas Cowboys come to town in the season finale.
The NFC East could be a tight race these last 4 games.