The Steelers and the Bengals battle it out tonight on the NFL Network.

This is an open thread for the game.

Summary of Wade Phillips' press conference today.

You know the news on Felix Jones, we're disappointed for him and for us, long-term he will be all right. He's never been hurt before, then to have these injuries right in a row is a shame. But we had a good practice today, we can't wait for the game but we still have a couple of days to go.

(Will you add another back?) We're discussing all of that, we've been playing without him for four games. We hadn't had that position but we thought we would get him back so the we'd have enough backs, but we'll probably have to add a back. (Thought about playing Tashard Choice more?) Since Felix is hurt and it's the last part of season, we talked about it yesterday and we felt like Tashard was going to have to play more anyway so that is the direction we'll go.

Terrell Owens was fine today, I think he'll play, he had full-participation in practice today.

Adam Jones is not back yet, I just coach the guys that are here, we'll wait on that until next week.

The kickoff returner is Isaiah Stanback right now. Orlando Scandrick is his backup.

(Why haven't you played Choice more?) Tashard Choice being a young player, we felt like Marion could get through it, he's an exceptional guy. In some cases we'd like to limit his carries but you want your best players out there when the game is on the line and the last few games we've been trying to get the game on the line. We'd like to get ahead and play the other guy some, or choose our spots during the game. Marion is a great worker, he works out after every practice. (Will some plays for Felix be removed from the playbook?) Whether it's a receiver or a running back you have different plays for them, Roy Williams' plays are different from T.O.'s, it's the same with running backs.

Felix was upset obviously, he had never been hurt before, it was a blow to him. He had turf toe before but after a couple of days he was all right, he never missed a game. He injured it working out, he said he slipped while running. His foot slipped, he had on cleats, he was wearing hard-soled shoes, not tennis shoes where you can sometimes catch your foot. He slipped and it bent his toe back, he was on grass, it was just unfortunate. Everybody saw what he did on the field, not just his potential, I think he has a great future, we want to make sure of it. We explored everything and this was best for him first, and for the long-term, he needs the operation. He probably wouldn't have been effective if he tried to play and there are long-term problems he could face without the surgery, he has the worst of turf-toe.

Tony Romo is throwing with the splint but he threw effectively, he's more used to it now, his accuracy was good.

Frank Gore is like Brian Westbrook, that's a good analogy. He's so much of their offense, those kind of guys can beat you. He's the leading receiver and rusher on their team, and one of the leading rushers in the league. We have to know where he is and be aware that he'll get the football a large percentage of the plays.

Time to start talking about the San Francisco 49ers, the next obstacle on the Cowboys Road to Redemption. Last week we felt like it was a must-win game because the difference between 5-5 and 6-4 in the standings is significant, so keeping pace was a huge objective last week. We also needed to re-capture some of our swagger, get the confidence back that we are a good football team.  It was a division game against a huge rival. More reasons we had to win.

So what about this week? Is every Cowboys game a must-win from here on out? Not technically, if the Cowboys go 5-1 over the next six weeks they would certainly make the playoffs. So they could lose a game and still assure a playoff birth. Even losing two and finishing at 10-6, it's still feasible to make the playoffs although the odds go down in comparison.

So again, is this Sunday a must-win? I say yes, because it's against a team with a losing record playing at our house, and that means you have to win. These are the kinds of games where you have to pocket the ‘w' if you want to make a serious playoff run. The Cowboys still have to go to Pittsburgh and Philly, and host the Giants and the Ravens at Texas Stadium. Going 4-0 against that group is a daunting task. It can be done, but realistically going 3-1 is probably the best you can expect. The Cowboys need to go 5-1 down this stretch for a sure-fire playoff birth. Winning at home against a 3-7 team Sunday, and next week against a team that is currently 2-8, is imperative.

More on San Fran, Felix Jones the return of Pacman after the jump.

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Jerry Jones lets the cat out of the bag, pre-empting the NFL by notifying everybody that Adam Jones will be reinstated and can start practicing on Monday but won't play until the Pittsburgh game.

Hat tip to scottmaui for the FanPost. 

Support from his teammates:

"I support Pac. I talked to him on the phone frequently," nose tackle Tank Johnson said. "I talked to him actually after the game Sunday. He's just champing at the bit to get back and come back and be successful. ... Our team hopes he does [return]. He knows we're all with him and we're never going to turn our back on him. As soon as he gets back, it will be business as usual. I can't wait to have 21 next to me in the locker."

"When he was here he worked very hard and he helped us," quarterback Tony Romo said. "He's a good football player and I don't see why you wouldn't welcome a guy back that works hard on the practice field."

Summary of Wade Phillips' press conference today.

We're looking forward to game, feel like we did last week, this is the most important game. The guys are looking forward to it. We got things to work on but they practiced well, they look focused.

Felix Jones was limited in practice, we'll see. I don't know about him playing on Sunday, not a good feel yet if he would or wouldn't, other things (injuries?) came up during rehab, we're working on those, too. (Might you sit him out until after the Thanksgiving game?) All things are possible, depending on what he can do. The other things were not knee-related.

Isaiah Stanback came back and practiced today, he'd be the fourth WR, he looked healthy and ready to go. We'll use him on kickoff returns. We've been playing with four WR's every game, we'll probably stick with that.

T.O. was sick today, he had flu-like symptoms, he came in but we sent him home, we hope he's better tomorrow.

Tony Romo looked fine. He wants to get the splint off, but it's not time yet, but he's close. He may not have to wear it in the game. He threw the ball pretty well in the game, I don't think it bothered him much to where it was a concern. He made all the throws in practice, deep, sidelines, he did the same in the game. The wind was a factor in one direction when it was gusting. So that played a part on deep passes, we played our DB's tighter because of that, too.

Even in zone we played up more than we would normally, conditions of the game make you play differently. My corners, the ones we have now, yes I want them to play up. It depends on who you have out there, I've done both (up or back). Jammer at SD played up all the time in zone or man, different techniques with different players based on what they can do. There's no feel involved on their part, they do what we say, we tell them whether to play up or jam them or whatever. We consider what they can do and what the receiver can do. If you play up it makes the QB hold the ball longer or go to another receiver. When I was in Buffalo we played a lot of man but we had corners that could, we thought we could here but we got injuries last year and this year.

They got Frank Gore back there, he's their leading receiver and running back, that's the guy we got to stop, he's the key guy. (Mike Singletary's influence since taking over?) They have run the ball more, seemed like they did, they scored 35 points in a half last game, that was different, it was impressive. They played well last week, that helps you confidence-wise just like winning last week helped our confidence.

Shaun Hill has done a good job, only 4 sacks in 3 games, pressure will be important and coverage, but you got to stop the running game first. They got a Pro Bowl-caliber back that can run, block, and catch. Maybe a little like Steven Jackson of the Rams.

I decided to jump into the posting rotation again after a two day absence. Working on an outside-the-blog project stole all my time but it's now finished. And unlike Chunky McNabb, I knew there was a deadline. Anyway, my absence was hardly missed as Rafael, Raul and Brandon were just killing it on Monday and Tuesday, with post after post. I love this blog merger.

Make the jump for some blog news and Pacman discussion.

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14-10!

Oh yeah! How good does this win feel? Way to gut it out Dallas Cowboys. You went on the road and won a game against a division rival, the Washington Redskins. You saved the season and put it on the road to redemption.

Big shoutout to the defense who were tremendous and big ups to Jay Ratliff. The defense held it together while the offense struggled. But they finally got some things going, Martellus Bennett had a huge play. The offensive line gave Tony Romo time to throw and made some good blocks in the run game. The way Marion Barber closed out that game reminded me of last year.

Romo looked like he's going to be OK with the pinkie and looks like he's starting to get his mojo back. That little shovel pass that converted a huge third down was a little of the magic we missed on offense.

Use this thread to celebrate the HUGE win!

New open thread for the Cowboys/Redskins game.

New open thread for the Cowboys/Redskins game.

New open thread for the Cowboys/Redskins game.