ARLINGTON (KRLD) - Businesses and fans in Arlington say they feel more hopeful for a deep playoff run by the Dallas Cowboys this year. The Cowboys last hosted a playoff game in January 2017, losing to the Green Bay Packers 34-31.
"Just being a true fan, I think this is the year we at least get past the first round," says one fan who was eating lunch at J. Gilligan's.
J. Gilligan's runs shuttle buses to each Cowboys home game. Owner Randy Ford says he normally takes several hundred people to games, but the game against Green Bay two years ago drew more than 93,000 fans.
Ford says he rented 19 buses for Saturday's game and is expecting about a thousand people to sign up. He is charging eight dollars for round-trip tickets to and from the game.
"Gracious alive, the Cowboys having that extra playoff game, January is the slowest time of year for us," Ford says. "Having that extra, bonus playoff game, that is huge."
Ford says he also hopes to draw fans who want to watch the game near the stadium but may not be able to attend. He says his restaurant filled up the night of the Super Bowl in 2011.
"We had the Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau from Green Bay, Wisconsin," he says. "When they called me, they said, 'We're not all going to the ballgame, but we want to be somewhere close to the stadium, just so we can be close to that atmosphere.' People love that; it's fun."
The Cowboys are also hosting a pep rally at AT&T Stadium Friday. Tickets start at $25; fans can take pictures with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and on the 50-yard line.
Former players Tony Casillas, Rayfield Wright and John Gesek are also scheduled to appear.
"Saturday night is going to be all about the Cowboys for everybody," one fan says. "I just hope we get the W. That's all that matters."