FRISCO, Texas – When Jason Witten decided to leave the ESPN Monday Night Football booth in March and return to the Cowboys, he had games like Sunday in mind.
Philadelphia. The Linc. A chance for the Cowboys (7-7) to clinch an NFC East title and continue playing into January.
"That's what you come back for," Witten said Thursday. "These are the games you want to play in. When you are going through something like that and you're working and you're thinking about the opportunity to come back it's for games like this and moments like this. I'm thrilled to be a part of it, but I also know what it takes."
Back from a one-season retirement, Witten ranks second on the team with 57 catches for 491 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a 19-yard score last Sunday that swung momentum in the Cowboys' 44-21 win over the Rams to snap a three-game losing streak.
The Cowboys now have a chance to be the first repeat NFC East champions since Philadelphia in 2004.
The Eagles (7-7) stand in the way Sunday.
"For all athletes, I think these games are hard to come by," Witten said. "And to be in Week 16 and to play in a game like that, that's what I wanted. That's what I wanted to sign up for. Trust me, I'm going to do whatever I can to come away with a win."
