When the 2007 season began, many wondered how everything was going to come together for coach Wade Phillips and the Gang. As the season began, many bandwagon fans and media “experts” annointed certain games as “statement games.” They were contests that were going to tell us exactly what this team was made of and where they were at on defense, offense, etc. Certain games took on different meanings as they got closer due to those teams becoming competitive and having good years.

First it was the NY Giants at home. Game 1 was considered pretty huge since it was against a divisional opponent who has a recent history of being a pretty good defensive football team. Dallas OC Jason Garrett had his grand opening of his new offensive scheme, and Dallas dominated despite the score 45-35.

Next was Chicago.  Sports pundits, media, and emotional fans said that this would be the true test of Dallas’ resolve as they went up against a very stout defense at Soldier Field. This was tagged as a pretty big game for The Boys. Result: Dallas 34  Chicago 10

Then, New England came to town and put on their expected display of fireworks and suffocating defense. Dallas did put up a good fight and was very close until Brady and Co. threw it into overdrive and peeled rubber down the street to victory 48-27. No big deal though. They’re in another conference, and their performance didn’t surprise anyone.

The next huge game facing them was now Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial. My theory personally was that Tony Romo had never faced the Eagles on their turf, and since Philly didn’t have a very good reputation for being friendly to opposing QB’s, this was going to be a litmus test of how Romo did in very unfriendly confines. It was the first of three straight divisional games and the concern was it was going to be loss #2. The poise and poison of Romo dominated as did the Dallas D. This speed bump was averted as Dallas rolled 38-17.

Last Sunday, to me, was the biggest game to date for Dallas. Since Game 1 vs. NY, the Giants had quietly gone 6-1 and were now looking at the distinct honor of wiping Dallas from the division perch by embarrassing them at home. This NY team was not the same squad Dallas saw at Texas Stadium nine weeks prior, but then again, this was not the same Dallas team either.

The two NFC East foes stayed neck-to-neck through the first half, but then Dallas did what it’s done all year. It came out of the second half with guns blazing, and Romo blew his way out of the jam and rode off into the sunset with another W under his belt as Dallas cruised to a 31-20 victory.

NY looked lost and bewildered following halftime. They amassed many penalties, took dumb time outs, and just simply could not escape the Dallas grip on their offense. This Giants team looked like their old selves back when the season began as they seemed lost on defense, very inconsistent of offense, and didn’t seem to be on the same page as their Dead-Man-Walking coach Tom Coughlin.

A lot can happen in the next seven games, but one thing is for sure. Dallas cannot afford to lay back and relax as they bask in the sunshine of their 8 wins. There are still two games vs. Washington and one more against Philly. Green Bay is coming to town as well and that looks to be the biggest showdown in front of them so far. I wouldn’t discount a road game to Detroit as a given either. This is a good looking team on offense and the home field advantage could pay real dividends for them. The Thanksgiving game vs. the Jets and the road game to Carolina, who hasn’t won at home yet this year, honestly do not scare me.

This squad is looking might invincible especially on the road, and a playoff berth is just over the horizon, but it is going to be imperative that they take it one step at a time.