Plankton
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It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not.
- Andre Guide, Autumn Leaves
One of the largest questions entering yesterday’s Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks was who needed a win more – Dak Prescott or Jason Garrett?
Prescott and Garrett represent the most polarizing figures in the on-field operation of the Cowboys, and the lines between their supporters and detractors are very well defined. Supporters point to their leadership skills, unflappable nature and professionalism. Detractors point to a lack of skill and natural ability in their crafts, and a lack of production compared to greats of the past. Like politics and religion, starting a conversation about both of these individuals should come with a warning for entering a hazardous zone.
Whether you like them or hate them, you have no choice but to call them winners in the playoffs.
In the Cowboys 24-22 victory over the Seahawks, both men stayed true to who they were, and garnered a win as a result. Both men kept their team level and cool in the tight moments of the game, and provided the impetus for Dallas to move on to the divisional round of the playoffs, and win a playoff game for only the third time in the last 22 seasons. In leading their team to this critical victory, Prescott and Garrett showed the qualities that both enrage their critics, but also provide evidence for their supporters.
In this game, the Cowboys stayed true to their identity. They are now a defensive first football team that prides itself in playing with all out effort, physicality and a relentless nature. On offense, they are largely unimaginative in play design, but look to avoid putting themselves behind the chains and in adverse down and distance situations. This “vanilla” play design and play calling is galling to many, but done by intent. Some decry this approach as being entirely dependent on talent winning out, but what it also does is limit mistakes and forces the opponent to beat you instead.
In Saturday’s game, the Cowboys faced their virtual doppelganger. And, despite what the turnover ratio tells you, the team that made the fewer critical mistakes ended up being the victor.
Seattle also stayed true to their identity in the game, and it ended up being to the Cowboys’ benefit. Seattle led the NFL in rushing for the 2018 season, and had the most run heavy offensive ratio in the league. In the Week Three matchup between the two teams, Seattle established an edge on the line of scrimmage, and used that game as a springboard to unexpected success this season. The Cowboys wilted under the pressure applied by the Seahawks, and let mistakes and a lack of attention to detail work to their undoing.
In this game, however, Garrett had his team ready to establish their will in this game, and reclaim the line of scrimmage as their own.
From the first Seahawk possession, the Cowboys showed that they were not going to be pushed around. The Seahawks went run heavy, and the Cowboys overpowered their front. The first three possessions for Seattle went three and out. It was not until they put the ball in quarterback Russell Wilson’s hands that they had some success. Wilson hit the Cowboys with bigger chunk plays than Dallas had allowed in quite some time, but the Cowboys stiffened in the red zone, only allowing two field goals in the first half. Meanwhile, the Cowboys relied on their rushing attack as well, but enjoyed far more success.
Despite Seattle having the league’s best rushing attack, the Cowboys have the league’s top individual rusher. Ezekiel Elliott made a game changing play in the first half, using a slick hesitation move followed by acceleration to take the edge for 44 yards on a third and short, and set the Cowboys up for points late in the second. From there, Prescott took over, completing three of four passes, the last a perfectly placed tear drop to Michael Gallup for the go-ahead touchdown. A second game turning play occurred at the end of the half, when Seahawk kicker Sebastian Janikowski not only missed a 57-yard field goal, but strained his left quadricep, and was lost for the remainder of the game.
In the second half, Prescott showed once again that he’s not the quarterback straight out of central casting, but he has a knack to make a play when it’s absolutely needed in clutch situations. After the Seahawks took the lead on a Wilson touchdown run, Prescott led the Cowboys on a drive that put them back on top to stay. From midfield, Prescott rolled right, and found Amari Cooper alone in the middle of a soft zone for 34 yards. A Prescott run got the Cowboys to the Seahawk one, where Elliott squeezed his way into the end zone for the go ahead score.
Following yet another three and out by the Seahawk offense, Tavon Austin broke a long punt return only stopped by his inability to cross the 50-yard line without stumbling, setting the Cowboys up with prime field position to put a stranglehold on the game. Prescott hit Cooper for a 27-yard gain, and on the next play, following an illegal formation penalty, looked to extend the lead to two scores. Prescott’s pass was underthrown, and linebacker K.J. Wright made a spectacular (albeit one aided by a swallowed whistle) interception in the end zone.
At this moment, it would appear that the Seahawks had the break that they needed, and the momentum would swing. In reality, it was the last mistake that the Cowboys would make on offense, and the beginning of the end for Seattle.
Back to back penalties on the Seahawks pushed them to a 3rd and 20 situation, which the Cowboys stopped and forced yet another punt. With the chance to put the game away, in a tense situation, it was the Seahawk defense that cracked under pressure.
On a third and eight from the Cowboy 39, Wright was not as lucky this time around, getting whistled for a pass interference penalty for hooking Gallup around the waist. Three plays later, facing another third down situation, this time it was Justin Coleman with a critical penalty, grabbing Cole Beasley on a stop and go route, giving the Cowboys yet another first down with time running down. Again, facing a critical third down, this time from the Seahawk 17, Prescott reminded us that his determination and clutch ability cannot be understated. Prescott took off on a designed run, and even though he needed 14 yards for a first down, he would not be denied. Prescott broke two tackles, and was flipped over at the one-yard line. The play, ruled a touchdown initially, was overturned and moved back to the one. Prescott took it in on the next play for the game clinching score.
While many fans and critics alike rail against Prescott for not being the most precise passer in the world, and not having the greatest pocket presence in the world, what he is is a player who comes up big in the biggest moments of games. He’s not the prettiest player in the world, but he’s effective when the situation calls for it, and is the very definition of a gamer. I have been critical of his play in the past year, and have often time focused on what he isn’t instead of what he is.
And, while the head coach isn’t an X’s and O’s guy as Tony Romo related in the Chief game in 2017, and isn’t the most creative play designer in the world, what he is is a guy who has the ears and attention of his team. Garrett has connected with his players, and he has them believing in themselves, and playing with a camaraderie that has overcome a lack of ingenuity on the sideline.
There are times where we should place attention on the areas for improvement for a football team. There are also times where we all should focus more on what people are rather than what they aren’t.
After yesterday, what we want Dak Prescott and Jason Garrett to be is what they are.
Winners.
Other observations about yesterday’s game:
- Andre Guide, Autumn Leaves
One of the largest questions entering yesterday’s Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks was who needed a win more – Dak Prescott or Jason Garrett?
Prescott and Garrett represent the most polarizing figures in the on-field operation of the Cowboys, and the lines between their supporters and detractors are very well defined. Supporters point to their leadership skills, unflappable nature and professionalism. Detractors point to a lack of skill and natural ability in their crafts, and a lack of production compared to greats of the past. Like politics and religion, starting a conversation about both of these individuals should come with a warning for entering a hazardous zone.
Whether you like them or hate them, you have no choice but to call them winners in the playoffs.
In the Cowboys 24-22 victory over the Seahawks, both men stayed true to who they were, and garnered a win as a result. Both men kept their team level and cool in the tight moments of the game, and provided the impetus for Dallas to move on to the divisional round of the playoffs, and win a playoff game for only the third time in the last 22 seasons. In leading their team to this critical victory, Prescott and Garrett showed the qualities that both enrage their critics, but also provide evidence for their supporters.
In this game, the Cowboys stayed true to their identity. They are now a defensive first football team that prides itself in playing with all out effort, physicality and a relentless nature. On offense, they are largely unimaginative in play design, but look to avoid putting themselves behind the chains and in adverse down and distance situations. This “vanilla” play design and play calling is galling to many, but done by intent. Some decry this approach as being entirely dependent on talent winning out, but what it also does is limit mistakes and forces the opponent to beat you instead.
In Saturday’s game, the Cowboys faced their virtual doppelganger. And, despite what the turnover ratio tells you, the team that made the fewer critical mistakes ended up being the victor.
Seattle also stayed true to their identity in the game, and it ended up being to the Cowboys’ benefit. Seattle led the NFL in rushing for the 2018 season, and had the most run heavy offensive ratio in the league. In the Week Three matchup between the two teams, Seattle established an edge on the line of scrimmage, and used that game as a springboard to unexpected success this season. The Cowboys wilted under the pressure applied by the Seahawks, and let mistakes and a lack of attention to detail work to their undoing.
In this game, however, Garrett had his team ready to establish their will in this game, and reclaim the line of scrimmage as their own.
From the first Seahawk possession, the Cowboys showed that they were not going to be pushed around. The Seahawks went run heavy, and the Cowboys overpowered their front. The first three possessions for Seattle went three and out. It was not until they put the ball in quarterback Russell Wilson’s hands that they had some success. Wilson hit the Cowboys with bigger chunk plays than Dallas had allowed in quite some time, but the Cowboys stiffened in the red zone, only allowing two field goals in the first half. Meanwhile, the Cowboys relied on their rushing attack as well, but enjoyed far more success.
Despite Seattle having the league’s best rushing attack, the Cowboys have the league’s top individual rusher. Ezekiel Elliott made a game changing play in the first half, using a slick hesitation move followed by acceleration to take the edge for 44 yards on a third and short, and set the Cowboys up for points late in the second. From there, Prescott took over, completing three of four passes, the last a perfectly placed tear drop to Michael Gallup for the go-ahead touchdown. A second game turning play occurred at the end of the half, when Seahawk kicker Sebastian Janikowski not only missed a 57-yard field goal, but strained his left quadricep, and was lost for the remainder of the game.
In the second half, Prescott showed once again that he’s not the quarterback straight out of central casting, but he has a knack to make a play when it’s absolutely needed in clutch situations. After the Seahawks took the lead on a Wilson touchdown run, Prescott led the Cowboys on a drive that put them back on top to stay. From midfield, Prescott rolled right, and found Amari Cooper alone in the middle of a soft zone for 34 yards. A Prescott run got the Cowboys to the Seahawk one, where Elliott squeezed his way into the end zone for the go ahead score.
Following yet another three and out by the Seahawk offense, Tavon Austin broke a long punt return only stopped by his inability to cross the 50-yard line without stumbling, setting the Cowboys up with prime field position to put a stranglehold on the game. Prescott hit Cooper for a 27-yard gain, and on the next play, following an illegal formation penalty, looked to extend the lead to two scores. Prescott’s pass was underthrown, and linebacker K.J. Wright made a spectacular (albeit one aided by a swallowed whistle) interception in the end zone.
At this moment, it would appear that the Seahawks had the break that they needed, and the momentum would swing. In reality, it was the last mistake that the Cowboys would make on offense, and the beginning of the end for Seattle.
Back to back penalties on the Seahawks pushed them to a 3rd and 20 situation, which the Cowboys stopped and forced yet another punt. With the chance to put the game away, in a tense situation, it was the Seahawk defense that cracked under pressure.
On a third and eight from the Cowboy 39, Wright was not as lucky this time around, getting whistled for a pass interference penalty for hooking Gallup around the waist. Three plays later, facing another third down situation, this time it was Justin Coleman with a critical penalty, grabbing Cole Beasley on a stop and go route, giving the Cowboys yet another first down with time running down. Again, facing a critical third down, this time from the Seahawk 17, Prescott reminded us that his determination and clutch ability cannot be understated. Prescott took off on a designed run, and even though he needed 14 yards for a first down, he would not be denied. Prescott broke two tackles, and was flipped over at the one-yard line. The play, ruled a touchdown initially, was overturned and moved back to the one. Prescott took it in on the next play for the game clinching score.
While many fans and critics alike rail against Prescott for not being the most precise passer in the world, and not having the greatest pocket presence in the world, what he is is a player who comes up big in the biggest moments of games. He’s not the prettiest player in the world, but he’s effective when the situation calls for it, and is the very definition of a gamer. I have been critical of his play in the past year, and have often time focused on what he isn’t instead of what he is.
And, while the head coach isn’t an X’s and O’s guy as Tony Romo related in the Chief game in 2017, and isn’t the most creative play designer in the world, what he is is a guy who has the ears and attention of his team. Garrett has connected with his players, and he has them believing in themselves, and playing with a camaraderie that has overcome a lack of ingenuity on the sideline.
There are times where we should place attention on the areas for improvement for a football team. There are also times where we all should focus more on what people are rather than what they aren’t.
After yesterday, what we want Dak Prescott and Jason Garrett to be is what they are.
Winners.
Other observations about yesterday’s game:
- For all of the criticism that Garrett and Scott Linehan receive for the lack of imagination on offense, look no further than the Seahawk sideline for an even worse example. Brian Schottenheimer seemed to forget that he had Russell Wilson under center, and continued to run the football despite it being clear that it was not going to work in this game. When the ball was in Wilson’s hands to make a play, he gave them a chance. When he was handing the ball off, they were a three and out machine. Sometimes, being stubborn is a good trait. For the Seahawks, this was not one of these times.
- In the Week Three loss, the Cowboy offensive line had little to no answer for Frank Clark and Jarran Reed, and they disrupted the Cowboy passing game consistently. The Cowboy offensive line may have had their best game of the season, certainly considering the stakes. Clark had the lone Seahawk sack on a miscommunication between Tyron Smith and Connor Williams on a stunt, but was otherwise quiet in the game. Reed had four tackles, but no impact in the game. Prescott was hit three times in the game, and once he began trusting the pocket in the second half, he settled down and made some good throws. The line did not allow the Seahawks to establish their dominance at the line of scrimmage, and it was a huge key to this win.
- The Cowboy offensive line did a nice job of adjusting following the miscommunication referenced above. In the fourth quarter, with the Cowboys at midfield, the Seahawks ran the same TE stunt, and this time, Williams and Smith were in sync and picked it up. With the clean pocket, Prescott hit Cooper for the 34-yard gain that led to the go-ahead touchdown. This is an example of where there is an advantage playing at home as opposed to the road, where the communication may not be as smooth in a venue as loud as Century Link Field.
- For as good of a game as the defense played, it has to be a little disconcerting seeing the number of chunk plays in the passing game that were allowed. Seattle hit four pass plays for 25 yards or greater, all dimes thrown by Wilson. The Cowboy defense had made their names this year in limiting chunk plays, but in their efforts to sell out against the run, they allowed some big plays down the field. This will have to be cleaned up prior to facing the Rams.
- Byron Jones has now had three games in a row where he has not played well, and following a season where teams seemed reluctant to look his way, he is now being attacked with some success. Jones has had a terrific year despite no interceptions, but he needs to pick up his play with the remaining teams in the playoff field all featuring strong passing games.
- One of the biggest plays in the game may have been made by one of the least likely players. Brett Maher’s tackle of Lockett on the kickoff following the touchdown that put the Cowboys ahead 10-6 saved a touchdown, and ended up keeping the score at 10-6 at the half. It also ultimately resulted in Janikowski injuring himself and removing a weapon from the Seahawks arsenal for the remainder of the game.
- Sean Lee was in uniform, but didn’t see any time on the field. Once again, he was not missed due to the stellar play of Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. The young linebackers were all over the field, and were a big key in not only limiting the Seahawk running backs from getting untracked, but in also limiting Wilson’s ability to break the pocket and extend drives with his feet. If you were to say a season ago that Lee not being on the field would be the best thing for the Cowboy defense, you would have been thought to be insane. Now, as strange as it sounds, that is exactly the case now.
- Ezekiel Elliott was productive in the first meeting between the two teams, but didn’t have a strong attention to detail in the game that led to a fumble, a dropped pass when wide open and stepping out of bounds on a potential touchdown catch. This time around, Elliott was on point, whether it was protecting the football when sensing defenders coming from behind, or avoiding the sideline and staying in bounds to keep the clock running on a fourth quarter drive. As goofy of a persona as the third-year runner displays, between the lines, Elliott is one of the smarter football players that we have the pleasure to watch in action.
- The Cowboys are facing a shortage at WR following the horrific ankle injury suffered by Allen Hurns and the persistent ankle/foot problem that Beasley gutted out. Going into Saturday’s game, the Cowboys are likely to bring Lance Lenoir back from the practice squad, but they will need more from Noah Brown and Tavon Austin in the passing game. It will be interesting to see how they use the personnel packages going forward. Here’s one suggestion though – if Beasley is limited or not available, use Cooper out of the slot. His quick feet and ability to get in and out of his cuts would make him deadly out of the slot.
- Are the Rams a worse matchup than the Saints for a divisional round game? The home field certainly isn’t daunting, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a significant contingent of Cowboy fans in the stands. The Rams defense has given up some points this year, but they have the best defensive player in the league in Aaron Donald, and he’s likely salivating at the opportunity to line up over Williams. Where this game is going to be decided is on the ability of the Cowboy defense to limit Todd Gurley’s impact on the game. When Gurley is a factor, the Ram offense is next to unstoppable. When he’s limited, and more is put on Jared Goff, you have a chance. While the Saints first string offense hasn’t played in over two weeks, and could be a bit rusty early on, the Rams played out the string. The Cowboys need to once again establish ownership of the line of scrimmage, and limit Gurley’s impact.
- It will be difficult for the Cowboys to bounce back from such a physical game in a week, but I expect them to give the Rams all that they can handle. If they can win the line on both sides of the ball, they could advance to their first championship game appearance in 23 years.
