IRVING – The playoffs do not start for another three weeks, but in Bill Parcells' mind, they are already here.
"The thing I worry about most, quite honestly, is this particular team getting the sense of what the playoffs will be like," the Cowboys' coach said.
Only 19 Cowboys have experienced the postseason, and six have played in only one playoff game. Parcells believes the games against Indianapolis, the New York Giants, New Orleans, Atlanta and Monday's contest against Philadelphia will help "battle harden" his team. The defensive players held a players-only meeting this week in an attempt to straighten out their issues.
The message is the same Parcells has given all 10 of his playoff teams in 18 years:
"Pay attention to detail, do more work studying your opponents, mistakes send everybody home, don't be the one that did it if you can help it," Parcells said.
The Cowboys can clinch their first NFC East title since 1998 with a win Monday against the Eagles.
"Even though it sounds harsh, you don't want to be the guy that messes it up," tight end Jason Witten said. "He's talked about this is why you do what you did in training camp and going through the grind of the season to be in the situation we're in now."
■ Parcells had tip for Reid: When the Eagles lost Donovan McNabb for the year to a knee injury on Nov. 19, coach Andy Reid received a call from Parcells.
"Coach Parcells called me up and told me not to be pessimistic," Reid said. "He relayed to me the story of about when [Phil] Simms went down and they had the quarterback change and they kept on winning at a championship level. If I had any plan of keeping my head down, he took care of that."
Parcells said he did not regret the call now that Monday's game is essentially for the NFC East title.
"I don't know why, but just sometimes even though you don't really know a coach well you kind of identify with the guy and there's kind of like a little kinship even though you're rivals," Parcells said. "That happened with myself and Mike Holmgren years ago. I don't know why, it just did.
"I don't spend a lot of time with Mike or Andy, but the communication basis is very simple and I've enjoyed getting to know him and the competition and I think he does a good job as well."
■ Playoff tickets: After selling out their initial allotment in 19 minutes Tuesday, the Cowboys will put their final playoff tickets, which were not purchased by regular-season ticket holders, on sale today at 10 a.m.
Opponent, date and time for the games will be determined, but the Cowboys could host a game wild-card weekend Jan. 6-7 or the divisional weekend Jan. 13-14.
Tickets can be purchased at the Texas Stadium box office, at www.dallascowboys.com or through Ticketmaster at 214-953-1500.
■ Briefly: Cornerback Jacques Reeves (elbow) did not practice for the second straight day, although Parcells said he has seen improvement. If Reeves does not play, it could open a spot for safety Tony Parrish depending on concerns at fullback and tight end. ... Rookie defensive end Jason Hatcher's wife, Natasha, had the couple's third child Thursday. Mother and baby are fine, and Hatcher was expected at practice today. ... The players will stay in a hotel Sunday, but Parcells said they will be allowed to check in later and leave earlier on Christmas to be with family.
E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com
