Plankton
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If there was a trap laid for the Dallas Cowboys in Cleveland, it was one that was easily sidestepped.
Much like the Cleveland Browns were on a Sunday afternoon.
Prevailing wisdom in football is that a winless team is not a team that you want to play, with the whole “wounded animal” theory. Teams without wins can approach a game playing with nothing to lose, and playing in a free manner such as this can cause a problem for a team with everything to play for. When you are talking about a young, emerging team without a lot of recent success, a lack of maturity and situational awareness can be exposed, and ultimately, taken advantage of. Especially considering that said young, emerging team was coming off of an emotionally draining overtime win over one of their most hated rivals, and had to regain their bearings in a somewhat shortened week, against a team that was seeking any form of success that they could find. Motivation was not necessarily easy for this game.
Crisis averted.
The Cowboys haven’t had a game this easy in almost two years. If the Browns were a threat, they were disarmed with little effort. The Cowboys went out, and in a somewhat ruthless, businesslike manner, put their foot on the throat of the Browns, and didn’t let it up until the game was over. It was a game where everything worked – the Cowboy offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, Ezekiel Elliott, in his return to Ohio, showed his considerable wiggle, power and playmaking ability. Dak Prescott, with the whispers of who will be the Cowboy quarterback in the home stretch of the season wafting in the air, shut out the noise, and played his most efficient, clean game this season. Jason Witten, one week removed from receiving a game ball in an emotional locker room scene, had his best statistical game since 2013, with over 100 yards in receptions and the game’s first touchdown, which gave the Cowboys a lead that they would not relinquish. Maliek Collins continues to develop, playing his most disruptive game of the season with two sacks of Cody Kessler.
This was a complete team win, and one that should have all Cowboy fans feeling very good about the state of their football team at the midway point.
For such a young team (average age – 26), and one with youth at some key positions, this Cowboy team plays with a maturity and purpose that belies their inexperience. Through eight games this season, the Cowboys have not been too high, or too low emotionally for any of their games. They have a business- like approach to their jobs – play for the man next to you, work hard, and don’t let mistakes get you down. These Cowboys believe in themselves, and play as if they expect to succeed, not like they hope to.
It has been the mantra that Jason Garrett has preached since being elevated to head coach, and one that has been the subject of eye rolls and ridicule from many.
The Process.
Nick Saban, one of Garrett’s mentors and confidants, has described The Process as being something where each player plays each play as if it’s their last, playing as perfect as possible, then moving on to the next play.
It has taken some time in Dallas, but this effort seems to finally be taking root. You do not see this team get bogged down by mistakes, nor do you see them get flustered during moments in a game where things aren’t going well. Take today as an example. On the opening drive of the game, the Browns found a bust in the Cowboys’ zone coverage, with Kessler finding running back Isaiah Crowell splitting the middle of the Cowboy defense for a 44-yard catch and run. Rather than hang their heads, or get frustrated, the defense got a stop, and held the Browns to a field goal. From there, the offense came out and answered with a tidy, easy 75-yard touchdown drive to seize control of the game.
At the end of the first half, the Cowboy defense relented a bit, and allowed the Browns a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-10 at halftime. Rather than doubt themselves, the Cowboys responded by taking the second half kickoff, and went 75 yards in seven plays for a touchdown to remind the Browns that this was not to be their day. The Cowboys effectively ended the game here, and finished it off in the third quarter with a second touchdown to push the lead to 25.
The Cowboys were so dominant that they were able to go into their four-minute offense….. with :17 left in the third quarter. The Cowboys ran the final 7:48 of the game clock on their final drive, with starters on the bench.
Dominance indeed.
This was an all-around victory. The offense was efficient, amassing over 400 yards of total offense for the sixth consecutive game, an all-time franchise record. Prescott and Elliott continue to impress, and provide the team with the energy from youth. The offense scored five touchdowns, and never had to settle for field goals. The defense rose up, notching four sacks of Kessler, and more impressively, held the Browns to 1 of 9 conversions on third down.
The Cowboys should be relatively healthy going into what will be a much tougher road game against the Steelers. Sitting at 7-1, with a two-game lead in the division, this team is poised for bigger things down the road.
As they continue to follow The Process.
Other notes for this week’s game:
Much like the Cleveland Browns were on a Sunday afternoon.
Prevailing wisdom in football is that a winless team is not a team that you want to play, with the whole “wounded animal” theory. Teams without wins can approach a game playing with nothing to lose, and playing in a free manner such as this can cause a problem for a team with everything to play for. When you are talking about a young, emerging team without a lot of recent success, a lack of maturity and situational awareness can be exposed, and ultimately, taken advantage of. Especially considering that said young, emerging team was coming off of an emotionally draining overtime win over one of their most hated rivals, and had to regain their bearings in a somewhat shortened week, against a team that was seeking any form of success that they could find. Motivation was not necessarily easy for this game.
Crisis averted.
The Cowboys haven’t had a game this easy in almost two years. If the Browns were a threat, they were disarmed with little effort. The Cowboys went out, and in a somewhat ruthless, businesslike manner, put their foot on the throat of the Browns, and didn’t let it up until the game was over. It was a game where everything worked – the Cowboy offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, Ezekiel Elliott, in his return to Ohio, showed his considerable wiggle, power and playmaking ability. Dak Prescott, with the whispers of who will be the Cowboy quarterback in the home stretch of the season wafting in the air, shut out the noise, and played his most efficient, clean game this season. Jason Witten, one week removed from receiving a game ball in an emotional locker room scene, had his best statistical game since 2013, with over 100 yards in receptions and the game’s first touchdown, which gave the Cowboys a lead that they would not relinquish. Maliek Collins continues to develop, playing his most disruptive game of the season with two sacks of Cody Kessler.
This was a complete team win, and one that should have all Cowboy fans feeling very good about the state of their football team at the midway point.
For such a young team (average age – 26), and one with youth at some key positions, this Cowboy team plays with a maturity and purpose that belies their inexperience. Through eight games this season, the Cowboys have not been too high, or too low emotionally for any of their games. They have a business- like approach to their jobs – play for the man next to you, work hard, and don’t let mistakes get you down. These Cowboys believe in themselves, and play as if they expect to succeed, not like they hope to.
It has been the mantra that Jason Garrett has preached since being elevated to head coach, and one that has been the subject of eye rolls and ridicule from many.
The Process.
Nick Saban, one of Garrett’s mentors and confidants, has described The Process as being something where each player plays each play as if it’s their last, playing as perfect as possible, then moving on to the next play.
It has taken some time in Dallas, but this effort seems to finally be taking root. You do not see this team get bogged down by mistakes, nor do you see them get flustered during moments in a game where things aren’t going well. Take today as an example. On the opening drive of the game, the Browns found a bust in the Cowboys’ zone coverage, with Kessler finding running back Isaiah Crowell splitting the middle of the Cowboy defense for a 44-yard catch and run. Rather than hang their heads, or get frustrated, the defense got a stop, and held the Browns to a field goal. From there, the offense came out and answered with a tidy, easy 75-yard touchdown drive to seize control of the game.
At the end of the first half, the Cowboy defense relented a bit, and allowed the Browns a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-10 at halftime. Rather than doubt themselves, the Cowboys responded by taking the second half kickoff, and went 75 yards in seven plays for a touchdown to remind the Browns that this was not to be their day. The Cowboys effectively ended the game here, and finished it off in the third quarter with a second touchdown to push the lead to 25.
The Cowboys were so dominant that they were able to go into their four-minute offense….. with :17 left in the third quarter. The Cowboys ran the final 7:48 of the game clock on their final drive, with starters on the bench.
Dominance indeed.
This was an all-around victory. The offense was efficient, amassing over 400 yards of total offense for the sixth consecutive game, an all-time franchise record. Prescott and Elliott continue to impress, and provide the team with the energy from youth. The offense scored five touchdowns, and never had to settle for field goals. The defense rose up, notching four sacks of Kessler, and more impressively, held the Browns to 1 of 9 conversions on third down.
The Cowboys should be relatively healthy going into what will be a much tougher road game against the Steelers. Sitting at 7-1, with a two-game lead in the division, this team is poised for bigger things down the road.
As they continue to follow The Process.
Other notes for this week’s game:
- Someone will need to explain to me why David Irving was ejected from the game.
- Dez Bryant needs to do a little less complaining to the referees about illegal contact/interference, and show a little more attention to detail on his route running.
- I’m still at a loss as to how Jason Witten gets as wide open as he does, running as slow as he does. It goes to show that route running isn’t about speed and quickness as it is about setting up defenders, and studying tendencies. We have been fortunate to have been able to enjoy his play for the past fourteen seasons.
- Brandon Carr quietly had a terrific game today.
- There was a Gavin Escobar sighting today. Good to see him put to use on the goal line.
- There was also a Mark Sanchez sighting today. I hope that this is the last one of the season.
- FOX flashed a stat during the game for the overall field goal conversion rate in 2016 being lower than it has been in many seasons. It makes you appreciate Dan Bailey all the more.
- I was able to watch a bit of the Steeler-Raven game at the sports bar that I watched the game at. The Steelers are struggling quite a bit, and Roethlisberger looked very rusty coming off of his knee surgery. They are a very beatable team, and with Maurkice Pouncey and Darrius Heyward-Bey leaving the game with injuries, they could be on the thin side next week.
- The coaching staff doesn’t get the credit that they deserve for how this team is playing this year. Greg Jackson and Joe Baker have done a terrific job with the secondary, Frank Pollack has the offensive line playing at a very high level, and the coordinators, Scott Linehan and Rod Marinelli, have their units prepared and playing efficient football. Jason Garrett deserves credit and consideration for Coach of the Year. After a 2015 season where the coaching staff did a poor job of inspiring and coaxing better play from the team with the losses of Tony Romo and Dez Bryant to injury, they really have the pulse of the team under their control.
