If I were to describe this Cowboy team in a word, it would be gritty. Or determined. Or resilient.
Regardless of what the Giants record was going into the game, this was going to be a dogfight. The Cowboys began the game playing as if they were still on their bye week. The defense, especially the defensive line, absolutely did not show up for the first 28 minutes of the game. They were waltzing with the Giant offensive line, and Manning was carving them up without a fear in the world. They served more as a speed bump during the game rather than an actual obstacle.
Then, with around two minutes to go in the half, they finally woke up. Suddenly, Manning had to move his feet in the pocket, and he wasn't able to make the throws that he had been making earlier with any consistency. This, to me, was the biggest change in the game.
The offensive line did their part, and grew stronger as the game progressed. Despite losing the time of possession battle by more than 10 minutes, the offensive line wore down the Giant D line. The last drive was incredible in how they locked out their Giant counterparts. The interior trio of Leary, Frederick and Martin were outstanding in the game - Leary is seriously underrated at this time - he is so powerful at the POA, and he has really improved in his pulling. The linemen did a very good job of blocking on the move, as all of them had key blocks when on the move at some point in the game. Murray quietly had 121 yards - he was steady, efficient, and played at his determined, physical best in this game. Romo, what more can you say? He was composed, confident, and took advantage of all of his targets. Give Linehan and the coaching staff credit - their play design on the first Cowboy touchdown on a number of plays (the play action screen to Dunbar, the shovel pass to Witten) was outstanding. The final drive was an absolute clinic - outstanding protection, great patience and poise from Romo, and playmaking from Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and Cole Beasley, who made two of the most key plays in the game.
Even though this is a celebration of a Cowboy win, Odell Beckham is a special talent. As ridiculous as that catch was, and I haven't seen much better than that in my life, his route running, quickness, hands and footwork is something to behold. Beckham reminds me of Paul Warfield - a smooth, smooth player. He will be a handful to deal with for years to come.
That being said, it was a great win last night. There are some things that they need to clean up (stupid penalties by Mincey and Scandrick - two vets who should not be making those kinds of mistakes), and it was a real physical matchup. I hope it didn't take too much out of them with the short week.
For some reason, after the game, I thought back to 2003, when after a Week 12 game, the Cowboys had come from behind to beat the Panthers. Bill Parcells strode up to the post game press conference, and said, "You can't call them losers anymore." The win in 2003 was the Cowboys' eighth of the season. Last night was their eighth win. The feeling, to me, is the same. I think they have definitely turned the corner. Hopefully, they don't lay an egg on Thanksgiving like they did in 2003, and the stakes on Thursday are pretty high.
