While his teammates ran on the field and celebrated 's blocked kick in Dallas, Kenny Phillips was watching from home, resting his sprained left knee.

He was envious at that moment, but what really had the safety itching to get back on the field was witnessing the miscommunication on defense that led to a handful of devastating plays.

"Basically we hurt ourselves, especially on defense," Phillips said on Wednesday. "There was a little bit of miscommunication, but we've responded."

With even more at stake this time around, Phillips will again be at home. But the difference is he'll be padded up in MetLife Stadium ready to claim the NFC East.

"I'm very excited, especially with so much on the line," Phillips said. "It's a playoff game, our second playoff game, win or go home. It's going to be a great one."

Phillips has started every game besides that first meeting with the Cowboys less than a month ago. He returned a week after and went on to record his third and fourth interceptions (a career high) of the season in back-to-back games against Washington and the New York Jets, respectively.

Meanwhile, the defense that allowed Romo to throw four touchdowns with a 141.3 passer rating, put together one of their most complete games against the Jets last week.

"Last week we came out with a lot of energy," Phillips said. "But that was last week. We have to continue to play well and just build off that."

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