For the Cowboys, the 2007 playoff loss was a defining moment in their long Super Bowl drought. Despite having talented rosters in the years that followed, they struggled to find postseason success, with Tony Romo often bearing the brunt of the criticism for the team’s playoff failures
Jerry Jones, a man used to success, has been chasing another Super Bowl ring for decades, but this loss marked a turning point where the Cowboys began to underperform in big moments.
On the other hand, for the New York Giants, the victory over Dallas was the launching pad for one of the most remarkable playoff runs in NFL history.
Tom Coughlin’s leadership, Eli Manning’s resilience, and the Giants’ never-quit attitude led to an unforgettable postseason that will be remembered by NFL fans for generations to come.
The upset over Dallas was not just a win for the Giants—it was the spark that ignited their magical Super Bowl run.
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Table of Contents
Tom Coughlin: 2007 NFL Playoffs Giants vs. Cowboys
A Defining Moment
The 2007 NFL playoffs are often remembered for the New York Giants’ stunning upset over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.1
However, before that monumental victory, the Giants orchestrated another shocking win in the divisional round against the 13-3 Dallas Cowboys.
The Giants were massive underdogs heading into the matchup, and many expected the Cowboys, led by Tony Romo and coached by Wade Phillips, to comfortably advance to the NFC Championship game.
The tension between these two teams, the overconfidence of the Cowboys’ organization, and the subsequent fallout from this upset make the 2007 Divisional Playoff Game one of the most dramatic moments in modern NFL history.
Let’s delve into the details and analyze how this game set the stage for the Giants’ unforgettable Super Bowl run.
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The Stage is Set: Giants vs. Cowboys
Going into the 2007 playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys were a dominant force in the NFC, finishing the regular season with an impressive 13-3 record.
Led by their star quarterback Tony Romo and armed with weapons like Terrell Owens and Marion Barber, the Cowboys seemed primed for a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the New York Giants, under the leadership of head coach Tom Coughlin, finished the regular season with a 10-6 record.
They were considered scrappy but inconsistent, led by a young Eli Manning who was still coming into his own as a quarterback.
For Dallas, this playoff game was an opportunity to prove they were the best team in the NFC and set their sights on Super Bowl glory. For the Giants, it was a chance to continue defying the odds.
No one gave the Giants much of a chance, especially against a Cowboys team that had already beaten them twice in the regular season. The stage was set for a classic David vs. Goliath showdown.
Overconfidence in Dallas
One of the defining narratives leading up to the game was the apparent overconfidence in the Cowboys’ camp.
The team was so assured of its success that team owner Jerry Jones began handing out tickets for the NFC Championship game to players’ family members before the divisional round had even been played.
It was a move that many viewed as premature, and it sent a message that Dallas expected to win handily.
Tom Coughlin, the ever-disciplined and sharp-minded coach of the Giants, was quick to seize on this as an opportunity.
He used this overconfidence to fuel his team’s motivation. During a later appearance on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast, Coughlin recalled how Jones’ gesture gave the Giants the extra motivation they needed:
“Jerry had put two tickets on each player’s stool in the locker room before the NFC Championship Game, which would have been at home there in Dallas had Dallas won. We found out about that, and, of course, I subtly mentioned it to my team, and that gave them a little extra incentive if you will.”
By turning Jones’ actions into bulletin board material, Coughlin tapped into the competitive nature of his players. The message was clear: Dallas had already written off the Giants. That sentiment did not sit well with the Giants’ locker room, and it set the tone for an emotionally charged game.
Tom Coughlin: Giants Shock the Cowboys
- The divisional playoff game between the Giants and Cowboys was a hard-fought battle from the start.2
- Dallas came into the game confident, but New York quickly made it clear that they were not going to roll over easily.
- The game was physical, and the Giants’ defense, led by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, played a critical role in containing the Cowboys’ high-powered offense.
- Eli Manning, often criticized at this point in his career for inconsistency, played one of the best games of his young career. Manning’s poise under pressure was evident as he orchestrated the Giants’ offense to keep them competitive.
- Wide receiver Plaxico Burress was a key target, while the running game, featuring Brandon Jacobs and rookie Ahmad Bradshaw, added balance to New York’s offensive attack.
- Despite the talent on Dallas’ offense, the Giants’ defense refused to let Romo and company find a rhythm. The Cowboys’ running game struggled to gain momentum, and Terrell Owens was largely contained.
- The Cowboys led 17-14 late in the fourth quarter, but the Giants kept fighting.
- With the game hanging in the balance, Manning engineered a key touchdown drive that shifted the momentum.
- The Giants took a 21-17 lead, and their defense came up big in the final moments. Romo had a chance to win the game in the last minute, but his pass to the end zone was intercepted by Giants cornerback R.W. McQuarters, sealing the upset victory.
Fallout: Cowboys’ Playoff Woes Continue
The aftermath of the Giants’ upset was felt immediately in Dallas. The Cowboys, who had been the NFC’s top seed, were left stunned by the loss.
Many fans and analysts pointed to the overconfidence of the team, particularly the actions of Jerry Jones before the game, as a significant factor in their downfall.
Tony Romo faced significant criticism for failing to lead his team to victory, and questions about his ability to perform in big games began to surface.
Terrell Owens famously defended Romo during an emotional post-game press conference, shedding tears as he declared, “That’s my quarterback.”
For Jerry Jones, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. The Cowboys had not won a Super Bowl since 1996, and Jones had hoped that this season would finally break their long championship drought.
However, the loss to the Giants was a clear sign that Dallas still had significant obstacles to overcome if they wanted to return to NFL supremacy. It was also the last time the Cowboys had a 13-win season until 2016, and they have yet to reach another Super Bowl since.
The Giants’ Cinderella Story Continues
While the Cowboys were left to pick up the pieces, the Giants moved on to face the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game.
Once again, they were considered underdogs, but once again, they defied the odds, winning in overtime at Lambeau Field in frigid conditions. The victory set up their iconic Super Bowl matchup with the 18-0 New England Patriots.
The Giants’ eventual victory in Super Bowl XLII is widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
David Tyree’s miraculous helmet catch, Eli Manning’s clutch performance, and the relentless pressure from the Giants’ defense (particularly their pass rush) combined to hand the Patriots their first and only loss of the season.
It was a game that solidified Manning’s legacy as a clutch quarterback and gave Tom Coughlin his first Super Bowl victory.
The Giants’ success in 2007 remains a testament to the unpredictability of the NFL playoffs. No one expected a team that finished the regular season 10-6 to knock off the top-seeded Cowboys, the Packers, and then the undefeated Patriots, but they did just that.
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Tom Coughlin: The Dak Prescott Dilemma
- One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Cowboys this season has been the play of quarterback Dak Prescott.3
- After signing a massive contract extension in 2021 that made him one of the highest-paid players in the league, Prescott has faced immense pressure to deliver a Super Bowl to Dallas.
- While he has shown flashes of brilliance, his performance in 2024 has been inconsistent, leading to questions about whether he can lead the Cowboys to the promised land.
- Prescott’s struggles have been compounded by injuries to key offensive linemen and a lack of depth at the running back position.
- Without a reliable running game to take pressure off him, Prescott has been forced to shoulder much of the offensive load, leading to turnovers and missed opportunities in crucial moments.
- Jones has been a staunch defender of Prescott, but even he must be wondering if the team’s massive financial investment in the quarterback will pay off.
- Prescott’s contract extension was a significant part of the Cowboys’ offseason business, but if the team continues to falter, there will be calls for Jones to make changes at the quarterback position.
Tom Coughlin: Sponsorship
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Defensive Woes Continue
While the offense has struggled, the Cowboys’ defense has been an even bigger concern. After a solid 2023 season, during which the defense showed signs of improvement, the unit has regressed in 2024.
The team’s pass rush, led by Micah Parsons, has been inconsistent, while the secondary has been repeatedly burned by opposing quarterbacks.
The losses to the Lions and Saints were particularly alarming because of how easily both teams were able to move the ball against the Cowboys’ defense.
Detroit’s 47 points and New Orleans’ 44 points exposed the Cowboys’ inability to stop high-powered offenses, and it’s clear that changes are needed on that side of the ball.
Jones has long been criticized for his reluctance to invest heavily in the defense, opting instead to focus on building a high-powered offense.
However, the team’s recent struggles suggest that the Cowboys will not be able to compete for a championship without a more balanced approach. Whether Jones is willing to make the necessary changes remains to be seen.
Tom Coughlin: Media’s Role in the Cowboys’ Saga
The exchange between Jones and the hosts of 103.5 The Fan highlights the complex relationship between the Cowboys and the media.
As one of the most high-profile teams in the NFL, the Cowboys are constantly under the microscope, and Jones has often been the target of criticism from fans and analysts alike. While Jones has never been shy about expressing his opinions, his threat to fire the radio hosts was a rare public outburst that revealed just how much pressure he is under.
The media has played a significant role in shaping the narrative around the Cowboys, and Jones’ frustration with the coverage is understandable to some degree.
However, as the team’s general manager, he is ultimately responsible for the team’s performance, and the criticism is unlikely to subside unless the Cowboys turn things around on the field.
What’s Next for the Cowboys?
As the Cowboys sit at 3-3, the season is far from over, but the team’s margin for error is shrinking. Jones and the front office will need to make adjustments if they hope to salvage the season and make a playoff push.
Whether that means making a trade before the deadline, addressing the team’s defensive issues, or finding a way to get Prescott back on track, something needs to change.
For Jones, the pressure is on to prove that he can still build a championship-caliber team. At 82 years old, he knows that his time as the Cowboys’ owner and GM is limited, and he is undoubtedly eager to add another Super Bowl title to his legacy.
But if the Cowboys continue to falter, Jones may need to take a hard look at his role in the team’s struggles and consider making changes at the top.
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