Plankton
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It’s often said that in a hurricane, the eye represents the calm portion of the storm.
One year ago, there was no eye to be seen at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as the oculus at the top of the dome was closed, and, certainly in the eyes of Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, it was all storm in that game. A game that set the Cowboys season on the road to ruin, and their young quarterback on the road to shell shock.
On this Sunday, the oculus was open.
And the light from this eye provided the calm in the storm. A calm that was exuded in the game winning drive led by their formerly shell shocked quarterback, and provided a win that could very well be looked back at as the game that set the Cowboy season on track for a division title.
In yet another in a season remaining of must win games, the Cowboys rebounded from a number of missed opportunities to do what they had not been successful in doing in previous must win games – end the game on offense, and give only themselves a chance to win in the end. Against Green Bay on multiple occasions, they were unable to do this. In this must win game, they did exactly what was needed, and escaped with a huge win.
In Atlanta yesterday, the game could be characterized as a game of missed chances for the Cowboys. These missed chances, such as the dropped interception by Maliek Collins on the Falcons first drive, Cole Beasley’s dropped touchdown pass on the Cowboys first scoring drive and Brett Maher’s missed extra point on the first Cowboy touchdown of the game, allowed the Falcons to have a chance to hang around in the game, and ultimately tie it late in the fourth quarter.
Receiving the football at their 25 yard line following a touchback, with 1:52 remaining in the game, the Cowboys were set up to close the game on their own terms. Prescott would have to confront some serious demons at the scene of a career shifting game, and it was going to be on his shoulders to do so. He was faced with a challenge early in the drive, with a third and five at his own 30. The Cowboys had missed three nine routes to Michael Gallup up the left sideline earlier in the contest, one of these misses on first down. Cornerback Robert Alford had been all over Gallup in the routes, leaving him no room to operate. Coordinator Scott Linehan called the perfect antidote to the prior failures, having Gallup run a comeback route from the same side of the field, creating enough separation for a Prescott completion and a needed first down.
Prescott then went to a reliable option for the day, hitting Elliott out of the backfield for 11 yards and another first down, this one at the Falcon 49 yard line. Following an incompletion, Prescott was forced to his left by a push from Falcon DE Brooks Reed, and hung in there as Bruce Irvin closed in from his rear. One year ago, Prescott would have curled in the fetal position, and took the sack. This time, he kept his eyes downfield, and made a good anticipation throw to Beasley, who eluded Alford for 19 critical yards, and put the Cowboys in the driver’s seat.
Three Elliott runs bled the Falcons of time outs, and the clock of time, setting up Maher with a very manageable 42 yard kick for the win.
It’s often been said that the hole in old Texas Stadium was there to allow God to see his favorite team play.
This time, the oculus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium allowed God to direct his eyes to the East to see his team win the game.
Maher made it interesting, but his kick squeezed through the uprights for the game winner, giving the Cowboys their first consecutive wins since late in the 2017 season.
Instead of the late Falcon score setting up another late game heartbreak, the Cowboys maintained their calm in the eye of the storm to tell a redemption story.
Redemption for Ezekiel Elliott, who missed the fateful game in 2017 as the first in a six game suspension that hovered over the Cowboy season like a slow moving storm. Elliott, coming off of a huge effort against the Eagles last week, followed that effort up with another outstanding performance, rushing for 122 yards and a score, as well as providing the consistency needed within the passing game with seven catches for 79 more yards. Elliott was the fulcrum of the offense yesterday, but also provided much needed assistance in pass protection for Prescott, who only suffered two sacks this time around, along with six total QB hits in 34 drops. Elliott’s presence lessened the pressure on Prescott to carry the offense, and this allowed Prescott more freedom to be calm and composed in his approach.
Redemption for Prescott, who went from ascending star to ham and egger in one 60 minute performance in 2017. While it wasn’t all clean and pretty, the third year quarterback took what was available in the passing game, and largely kept the offense on schedule. On the last drive, Prescott was composed enough to make key throws when needed. One season ago, certainly from the game in Atlanta on forward, Prescott would not have been capable of leading that effort.
Redemption for Beasley, who had been vocal earlier in the season about being consistently open in the passing game, yet dropped a ready-made touchdown pass in the first quarter. Those lost four points had been a looming element in this game, and it came to a head late in the fourth quarter. When the Cowboys needed a critical play, Beasley came through when needed the most.
Redemption for Maher, who had missed three kicks in previous three games, and went on to shank an extra point attempt in the fourth quarter. This missed kick allowed Atlanta to tie the game with an extra point as opposed to needing a two point conversion. When the time called for it, it was tight, but Maher came through at the gun to secure the win for the Cowboys.
Now, with the Eagles imploding, the Commanders an injury ravaged squad, and the Giants just being the Giants, the Cowboys have gone from being on life support to being the presumed favorite in the division down the stretch. As we have seen this season, nothing is truly as it seems. The Cowboys have picked up their play over the last two weeks, but both the Falcons and Eagles are reeling. In the midst of their scheduling gulag, the Cowboys will be faced with two difficult games in the next 10 days, with a back-to-the-wall Commander team coming to Arlington for Thanksgiving, and the hottest team in the NFL, the Saints, coming to town the following week. Once again, there is no time to get fat and happy after a win. The Cowboys need to treat this, and each subsequent week as one game seasons. Focus on the game in their sights, and don’t move on until it is completed.
What we have seen is a resilience from this team not known to have existed before. As maligned as he has been for his in-game coaching and adjustments, and rightfully so in many cases, credit must be given to Jason Garrett and the coaching staff for keeping the team focused on the task at hand, as well as keeping their cool when losing late game leads. What we have seen all season long from the defense is the ability to keep the opposing team off the scoreboard as well as the Cowboys in the games this year. What we are now seeing is an offense that has been opportunistic and effective in late game situations, the Maher miss against Washington notwithstanding.
Following the loss to the Titans two weeks ago, the Cowboys faced a media and fan storm that challenged their mettle and manhood.
And yesterday, in the eye of the storm, it was a calm Cowboy squad that came through when it was needed the most.
Other observations from yesterday’s game:
One year ago, there was no eye to be seen at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as the oculus at the top of the dome was closed, and, certainly in the eyes of Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, it was all storm in that game. A game that set the Cowboys season on the road to ruin, and their young quarterback on the road to shell shock.
On this Sunday, the oculus was open.
And the light from this eye provided the calm in the storm. A calm that was exuded in the game winning drive led by their formerly shell shocked quarterback, and provided a win that could very well be looked back at as the game that set the Cowboy season on track for a division title.
In yet another in a season remaining of must win games, the Cowboys rebounded from a number of missed opportunities to do what they had not been successful in doing in previous must win games – end the game on offense, and give only themselves a chance to win in the end. Against Green Bay on multiple occasions, they were unable to do this. In this must win game, they did exactly what was needed, and escaped with a huge win.
In Atlanta yesterday, the game could be characterized as a game of missed chances for the Cowboys. These missed chances, such as the dropped interception by Maliek Collins on the Falcons first drive, Cole Beasley’s dropped touchdown pass on the Cowboys first scoring drive and Brett Maher’s missed extra point on the first Cowboy touchdown of the game, allowed the Falcons to have a chance to hang around in the game, and ultimately tie it late in the fourth quarter.
Receiving the football at their 25 yard line following a touchback, with 1:52 remaining in the game, the Cowboys were set up to close the game on their own terms. Prescott would have to confront some serious demons at the scene of a career shifting game, and it was going to be on his shoulders to do so. He was faced with a challenge early in the drive, with a third and five at his own 30. The Cowboys had missed three nine routes to Michael Gallup up the left sideline earlier in the contest, one of these misses on first down. Cornerback Robert Alford had been all over Gallup in the routes, leaving him no room to operate. Coordinator Scott Linehan called the perfect antidote to the prior failures, having Gallup run a comeback route from the same side of the field, creating enough separation for a Prescott completion and a needed first down.
Prescott then went to a reliable option for the day, hitting Elliott out of the backfield for 11 yards and another first down, this one at the Falcon 49 yard line. Following an incompletion, Prescott was forced to his left by a push from Falcon DE Brooks Reed, and hung in there as Bruce Irvin closed in from his rear. One year ago, Prescott would have curled in the fetal position, and took the sack. This time, he kept his eyes downfield, and made a good anticipation throw to Beasley, who eluded Alford for 19 critical yards, and put the Cowboys in the driver’s seat.
Three Elliott runs bled the Falcons of time outs, and the clock of time, setting up Maher with a very manageable 42 yard kick for the win.
It’s often been said that the hole in old Texas Stadium was there to allow God to see his favorite team play.
This time, the oculus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium allowed God to direct his eyes to the East to see his team win the game.
Maher made it interesting, but his kick squeezed through the uprights for the game winner, giving the Cowboys their first consecutive wins since late in the 2017 season.
Instead of the late Falcon score setting up another late game heartbreak, the Cowboys maintained their calm in the eye of the storm to tell a redemption story.
Redemption for Ezekiel Elliott, who missed the fateful game in 2017 as the first in a six game suspension that hovered over the Cowboy season like a slow moving storm. Elliott, coming off of a huge effort against the Eagles last week, followed that effort up with another outstanding performance, rushing for 122 yards and a score, as well as providing the consistency needed within the passing game with seven catches for 79 more yards. Elliott was the fulcrum of the offense yesterday, but also provided much needed assistance in pass protection for Prescott, who only suffered two sacks this time around, along with six total QB hits in 34 drops. Elliott’s presence lessened the pressure on Prescott to carry the offense, and this allowed Prescott more freedom to be calm and composed in his approach.
Redemption for Prescott, who went from ascending star to ham and egger in one 60 minute performance in 2017. While it wasn’t all clean and pretty, the third year quarterback took what was available in the passing game, and largely kept the offense on schedule. On the last drive, Prescott was composed enough to make key throws when needed. One season ago, certainly from the game in Atlanta on forward, Prescott would not have been capable of leading that effort.
Redemption for Beasley, who had been vocal earlier in the season about being consistently open in the passing game, yet dropped a ready-made touchdown pass in the first quarter. Those lost four points had been a looming element in this game, and it came to a head late in the fourth quarter. When the Cowboys needed a critical play, Beasley came through when needed the most.
Redemption for Maher, who had missed three kicks in previous three games, and went on to shank an extra point attempt in the fourth quarter. This missed kick allowed Atlanta to tie the game with an extra point as opposed to needing a two point conversion. When the time called for it, it was tight, but Maher came through at the gun to secure the win for the Cowboys.
Now, with the Eagles imploding, the Commanders an injury ravaged squad, and the Giants just being the Giants, the Cowboys have gone from being on life support to being the presumed favorite in the division down the stretch. As we have seen this season, nothing is truly as it seems. The Cowboys have picked up their play over the last two weeks, but both the Falcons and Eagles are reeling. In the midst of their scheduling gulag, the Cowboys will be faced with two difficult games in the next 10 days, with a back-to-the-wall Commander team coming to Arlington for Thanksgiving, and the hottest team in the NFL, the Saints, coming to town the following week. Once again, there is no time to get fat and happy after a win. The Cowboys need to treat this, and each subsequent week as one game seasons. Focus on the game in their sights, and don’t move on until it is completed.
What we have seen is a resilience from this team not known to have existed before. As maligned as he has been for his in-game coaching and adjustments, and rightfully so in many cases, credit must be given to Jason Garrett and the coaching staff for keeping the team focused on the task at hand, as well as keeping their cool when losing late game leads. What we have seen all season long from the defense is the ability to keep the opposing team off the scoreboard as well as the Cowboys in the games this year. What we are now seeing is an offense that has been opportunistic and effective in late game situations, the Maher miss against Washington notwithstanding.
Following the loss to the Titans two weeks ago, the Cowboys faced a media and fan storm that challenged their mettle and manhood.
And yesterday, in the eye of the storm, it was a calm Cowboy squad that came through when it was needed the most.
Other observations from yesterday’s game:
- Count me in as one who thinks that Leighton Vander Esch should be right in the running with Bradley Chubb for Defensive Rookie of the Year. In the past, missing Sean Lee, as they did a year ago in this very same game, meant a total collapse of the Cowboy defense. Without Lee in 2018, the Cowboys have allowed 30 fewer yards per game, as well as 2.4 fewer points per game. The play of Vander Esch is a huge reason for this. His fourth quarter interception was a tremendous show of reflexes, and set the Cowboys up to take a stranglehold on the game. Just the knowledge that Vander Esch will only get better from here is an incredible thought, as he has been a fantastic addition and playmaker for the defense.
- The Cowboys on offense have been riding Elliott more and more with greater and greater effectiveness. He has made a far greater impact on the passing offense than he has previously, and is likely in great need of an ice bath following 30 touches yesterday on the heels of 25 against the Eagles. He has played with physical grit, and has emerged as a leader on the offensive side of the football. It will be interesting to see how much he has in the tank for a short turnaround game this week against Washington.
- One knock against Amari Cooper, and it was a big one, when he was with the Raiders was a propensity to drop the football. Thus far, we have not seen this trait in Dallas. Cooper had a quiet game yesterday, but made a sensational catch along the right sideline in tight coverage to convert a first down on a drive that led to a field goal. Cooper continues to draw a lot of attention, and has helped open the field up for his fellow receivers.
- La’el Collins made one of the key plays of the game in not only recovering an Elliott fumble, but having the presence of mind to scoop it and advance for a needed first down. Without this, it would have led to a fourth down situation. With it, it kept a drive alive that led to the first Cowboy touchdown of the day.
- The Cowboy defensive line finally drew a holding call on Sunday, snapping a drought that lasted from Week One. This call wiped out a Tevin Coleman first down run. Overall, the officials let the teams play out there, with only four flags the entire game. It led to a much crisper pace of play, and is how most games should be officiated.
- Chidobe Awuzie plays in bad luck. He draws Pro Bowl WR Julio Jones in single coverage, and has him blanketed down the sideline. Statistically, the success rate of a throw made with only 0.7 yards separation is 23.1%. Somehow, Jones outfought Awuzie for the football, and gathered in a spectacular touchdown grab that tied the game. Awuzie is the new Almost Anthony (a shout-out to Anthony Spencer), and at some point, he needs to start making some of these plays that his coverage is putting him in position to make.
- Want to know the key to Thursday’s game? Score first. In all of their games this season, when the Commanders score first, they win. When the opponent scores first, they lose. As much as anything else, the Cowboy offensive line needs to match the physicality brought by Jonathan Allen and Da’Ron Payne of the Commanders, something that they failed to do in the first meeting between the two teams.
- The Commanders are obviously banged up on the offensive line, and took a big loss with the horrific leg injury suffered by QB Alex Smith. Coincidences are strange things, but this one is off the charts. Smith suffered the same injury as the one suffered by Commanders QB Joe Theismann 33 years to the day, back in 1985. Theismann was 35 years old at the time, Smith was 34 years old. The injury was suffered at the 40 yard line in both games. The final score of the game was 23-21 in both games. And, on the opposing sideline for both injuries? Texans defensive coordinator and former Giants defensive line coach Romeo Crennel.
