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The Dallas Cowboys took the field at AT&T Stadium for the first time in the 2015 season Saturday night against the Minnesota Vikings in the third of the team's four preseason contests. The third preseason game, commonly known as the “dress rehearsal,” typically features extending playing time for the starters and front-line players and provides fans with a glimpse of what they can expect once the regular season starts.
The Cowboys starters on offense (minus Dez Bryant and Zack Martin), led by quarterback Tony Romo, who played the majority of the first half, struggled to get anything going early, often playing from behind the chains. These struggles were largely attributable to the vaunted offensive line, a group that in addition to committing penalties on each of the first two series failed to open up holes for starting running back Joseph Randle.
Randle had six carries for 15 yards and had his best run, a 10-yarder off the left side, called back due to holding, but he was able to successfully execute a short-yardage run to convert a 2nd-and-2. In addition, he had one catch for eight yards but surrendered a sack in pass protection.
After those early scuffles, the first-team offense struck with the suddenness of a lightning bolt, as Romo connected with wide receiver Terrance Williams on a 60-yard catch-and-run off play action on the first play of the second quarter. After Dallas gave up a 107-yard kickoff return touchdown, Darren McFadden replaced Randle at running back and proceeded to run for 22 yards on his first three carries.
After Cole Beasley returned a Vikings punt 40 yards to set the offense up at the Vikings 23-yard line, the Cowboys offense again struck quickly. McFadden carried the ball on first down for a 15-yard gain, and on the next play, Romo connected with rookie Lucky Whitehead for an eight-yard touchdown, ending Romo’s night on a high note.
As for the defensive first unit, it was stout and swarming. After giving up 84 rushing yards in the first half to San Francisco in Week 2, the run defense stiffened its neck, as the Vikings (without Adrian Peterson) were able to muster only 18 yards on 10 rushes in the first half. Sean Lee saw his first game action since December 2013, and Andrew Gachkar, who was playing the “Mike” linebacker position, stood out, as did Barry Church from his safety position.
The starters on defense gave up only one explosive play, a 39-yard Teddy Bridgewater to Mike Wallace completion down the sideline despite nearly perfect coverage from cornerback Brandon Carr, who later hauled in an interception to create the Cowboys' first takeaway of the preseason. After the long completion to Wallace, the Cowboys tightened up in the red zone, as Randy Gregory added a third sack to his preseason ledger, which forced the first of two Vikings field goals in the first half.
By about midway through the second quarter, the majority of the starters for both teams exited the game, and the contest devolved into a typical preseason game, with the quarterback play leaving much to be desired. After Romo’s touchdown pass to Whitehead, the Cowboys had seven possessions not ended by the end of a half; they punted six times and lost a fumbled snap.
While the Vikings won 28-14, both teams were able to accomplish the primary task of any preseason game, which is to avoid major injury.
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The Cowboys starters on offense (minus Dez Bryant and Zack Martin), led by quarterback Tony Romo, who played the majority of the first half, struggled to get anything going early, often playing from behind the chains. These struggles were largely attributable to the vaunted offensive line, a group that in addition to committing penalties on each of the first two series failed to open up holes for starting running back Joseph Randle.
Randle had six carries for 15 yards and had his best run, a 10-yarder off the left side, called back due to holding, but he was able to successfully execute a short-yardage run to convert a 2nd-and-2. In addition, he had one catch for eight yards but surrendered a sack in pass protection.
After those early scuffles, the first-team offense struck with the suddenness of a lightning bolt, as Romo connected with wide receiver Terrance Williams on a 60-yard catch-and-run off play action on the first play of the second quarter. After Dallas gave up a 107-yard kickoff return touchdown, Darren McFadden replaced Randle at running back and proceeded to run for 22 yards on his first three carries.
After Cole Beasley returned a Vikings punt 40 yards to set the offense up at the Vikings 23-yard line, the Cowboys offense again struck quickly. McFadden carried the ball on first down for a 15-yard gain, and on the next play, Romo connected with rookie Lucky Whitehead for an eight-yard touchdown, ending Romo’s night on a high note.
As for the defensive first unit, it was stout and swarming. After giving up 84 rushing yards in the first half to San Francisco in Week 2, the run defense stiffened its neck, as the Vikings (without Adrian Peterson) were able to muster only 18 yards on 10 rushes in the first half. Sean Lee saw his first game action since December 2013, and Andrew Gachkar, who was playing the “Mike” linebacker position, stood out, as did Barry Church from his safety position.
The starters on defense gave up only one explosive play, a 39-yard Teddy Bridgewater to Mike Wallace completion down the sideline despite nearly perfect coverage from cornerback Brandon Carr, who later hauled in an interception to create the Cowboys' first takeaway of the preseason. After the long completion to Wallace, the Cowboys tightened up in the red zone, as Randy Gregory added a third sack to his preseason ledger, which forced the first of two Vikings field goals in the first half.
By about midway through the second quarter, the majority of the starters for both teams exited the game, and the contest devolved into a typical preseason game, with the quarterback play leaving much to be desired. After Romo’s touchdown pass to Whitehead, the Cowboys had seven possessions not ended by the end of a half; they punted six times and lost a fumbled snap.
While the Vikings won 28-14, both teams were able to accomplish the primary task of any preseason game, which is to avoid major injury.
Begin Slideshow
Continue reading...
