Bradie James: Playoffs start now

December, 12, 2011
12/12/11
12:38
AM CT
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Cowboys have three regular-season games left to play after Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, but that’s not how Bradie James sees it.

“It’s like the playoffs for us,” the veteran inside linebacker said after Sunday's 37-34 loss. “It’s sudden death. We have to win the next three to give ourselves a chance.”

At 7-6, the Cowboys are in second place to the Giants and have a short week of preparation before Saturday’s game at Tampa Bay. They close the year on Dec. 24 against Philadelphia at Cowboys Stadium before the Jan. 1 rematch with the Giants at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants play Washington and the New York Jets before meeting up with the Cowboys again.

The Cowboys are also a game out of the wild-card chase, behind 8-5 Detroit and Atlanta. The Lions hold the tiebreaker on the Cowboys based on their 34-30 win at Cowboys Stadium.

“What we have to do is swallow this one, come back and be ready for next week because those guys will be there waiting on us,” James said. “Everybody has to lay it on the line in order for us to go to the playoffs or have a chance. It’s must-win time.”
Todd Archer joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2010. He's covered the NFL since 1997 and the Cowboys since 2003. He covered the Bengals and Dolphins before arriving in Dallas. A Massachusetts native, Archer lives in the Dallas area with his wife and two children.

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