Plankton
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I would term this game as "Good When They Had To Be".
The Cowboys were dominated in the trenches for the overwhelming majority of the game. They made mistakes in coverage, mistakes in pass protection, mistakes on special teams. Normally, these sort of issues would result in a loss.
Not Today.
The offensive line played the worst game that they had played since the first Eagles game, but, on plays like the 4th and 6 throw to Witten and on the winning TD pass to Terrance Williams, they were good when they had to be.
Tony Romo really struggled for a lot of the game. His passes were short in a lot of cases, and three of the sacks that the Lions had were on him for holding the ball too long, but he was good when he had to be.
Dan Bailey missed a chip shot, one that likely had a lot of people thinking that this was not the Cowboys day. But, after Romo took two terrible sacks that forced a 51 yard field goal, he was good when he had to be.
The defensive line did not take advantage of two backups starting on the right side of the Lion offensive line, getting stonewalled in the first half. But, in the second half, they were good when they had to be.
The special teams made a serious error in the first half with the running into the kicker penalty. But, in the second half, when they tackled Cory Ross at the 4 yard line when they kicked off trailing 20-17, they were good when they had to be.
Finally, DeMarcus Lawrence had a complete brain cramp, making a blunder that turned a sure win into possibly being in doubt. But, on fourth down on the last drive, Lawrence showed why the Cowboys wanted to trade up to get him, putting a terrific pass rush on Riley Reiff, showing good hand work, and sacking Matthew Stafford, causing a fumble and recovering it to seal the win. His first sack as a Cowboy came at a great time. He has struggled as a pro, but, like his team, he was good when he had to be.
This game ran the gamut of emotions, and had moments where the Cowboys looked like they were going to come up small. But, as has been their hallmark all season long, they demonstrated grit, determination, focus, and big plays at the right times. Credit the coaching staff, on a day when they looked to be outcoached and outflanked, for instilling this focus and grit in the team. This, I believe, has been the greatest contribution of Jason Garrett as a head coach. Credit Romo for showing a lot of heart despite taking a beating today, and making the plays when he had to. Credit DeMarco Murray for making key runs and catches to keep the Lion defense honest against the run, as well as keeping drives alive. Credit Terrance Williams for making two humongous plays, his 76 yard touchdown stabilizing the game. Credit Anthony Spencer, Jeremy Mincey and Tyrone Crawford for stepping up their pass rushes in the second half. Credit Brandon Carr for containing Calvin Johnson, and largely limiting his influence on the game.
Credit the officials for blowing the call on Hitchens, a call that completely changed the game around. I don't want to hear another complaint from any Cowboy fan about the officials after that gift.
It's on to Green Bay, where the forecast calls for 19 degree temperatures and sunny skies. Should be fun and exciting.
It wasn't pretty
The Cowboys were dominated in the trenches for the overwhelming majority of the game. They made mistakes in coverage, mistakes in pass protection, mistakes on special teams. Normally, these sort of issues would result in a loss.
Not Today.
The offensive line played the worst game that they had played since the first Eagles game, but, on plays like the 4th and 6 throw to Witten and on the winning TD pass to Terrance Williams, they were good when they had to be.
Tony Romo really struggled for a lot of the game. His passes were short in a lot of cases, and three of the sacks that the Lions had were on him for holding the ball too long, but he was good when he had to be.
Dan Bailey missed a chip shot, one that likely had a lot of people thinking that this was not the Cowboys day. But, after Romo took two terrible sacks that forced a 51 yard field goal, he was good when he had to be.
The defensive line did not take advantage of two backups starting on the right side of the Lion offensive line, getting stonewalled in the first half. But, in the second half, they were good when they had to be.
The special teams made a serious error in the first half with the running into the kicker penalty. But, in the second half, when they tackled Cory Ross at the 4 yard line when they kicked off trailing 20-17, they were good when they had to be.
Finally, DeMarcus Lawrence had a complete brain cramp, making a blunder that turned a sure win into possibly being in doubt. But, on fourth down on the last drive, Lawrence showed why the Cowboys wanted to trade up to get him, putting a terrific pass rush on Riley Reiff, showing good hand work, and sacking Matthew Stafford, causing a fumble and recovering it to seal the win. His first sack as a Cowboy came at a great time. He has struggled as a pro, but, like his team, he was good when he had to be.
This game ran the gamut of emotions, and had moments where the Cowboys looked like they were going to come up small. But, as has been their hallmark all season long, they demonstrated grit, determination, focus, and big plays at the right times. Credit the coaching staff, on a day when they looked to be outcoached and outflanked, for instilling this focus and grit in the team. This, I believe, has been the greatest contribution of Jason Garrett as a head coach. Credit Romo for showing a lot of heart despite taking a beating today, and making the plays when he had to. Credit DeMarco Murray for making key runs and catches to keep the Lion defense honest against the run, as well as keeping drives alive. Credit Terrance Williams for making two humongous plays, his 76 yard touchdown stabilizing the game. Credit Anthony Spencer, Jeremy Mincey and Tyrone Crawford for stepping up their pass rushes in the second half. Credit Brandon Carr for containing Calvin Johnson, and largely limiting his influence on the game.
Credit the officials for blowing the call on Hitchens, a call that completely changed the game around. I don't want to hear another complaint from any Cowboy fan about the officials after that gift.
It's on to Green Bay, where the forecast calls for 19 degree temperatures and sunny skies. Should be fun and exciting.
It wasn't pretty
