Dallas 34, Chicago 10: These Cowboys Ain’t Bad
In years past, the Cowboys would have fallen apart after a series of events near the end of the second quarter. After a great drive with the score tied 3-3, Dallas faced a 3rd-and-goal from the Chicago 5. Tony Romo found Patrick Crayton alone in the end zone, but Crayton dropped the pass. On the next play, Israel Idonije blocked Nick Folk’s field goal attempt, and Adam Archuleta returned the ball to the Dallas 46.
Instead of giving up a touchdown on the ensuing drive (granted, Bernard Berrian dropped a touchdown pass himself), the Cowboys held, and the teams remained tied at the half.
Sure, there were missed opportunities, but these are not the same Cowboys of the early 2000s. Dallas once again made the necessary adjustments on offense and outscored the Bears 31-7 in the second half. The 34-10 win, coupled with a Washington loss to the Giants, gives the Cowboys sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
Here is ESPN’s take on the game:
A few notes:
* This was the fourth time in franchise history that Dallas has had a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard receiver, and a 100-yard rusher. More on this later.
* This marks the 14th time in franchise history that Dallas has started 3-0. In each of the previous 13 times, Dallas later made the playoffs.
* The record for most consecutive victories to begin a season is eight (1977).
* The Cowboys’ 116 points in their first three games is the third most to begin a season. The record is 133, set in 1968 in a 12-2 campaign.
Key Plays
1st Quarter
4-2-DAL 2 (3:13) 9-R.Gould 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
The Bears had a 1st-and-goal from the Dallas 6, then a 2nd-and-goal from the 2. Dallas managed to hold Chicago to a field goal.
3-15-DAL 35 (1:12) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep left intended for 84-P.Crayton INTERCEPTED by 20-A.Archuleta at CHI 48. 20-A.Archuleta to DAL 48 for 4 yards (84-P.Crayton).
After falling behind 3-0, Dallas gave up an interception when a pass bounded off of Patrick Crayton’s hands (one of which has an injured finger). Things didn’t look good, until…
2nd Quarter
2-6-DAL 31 (15:00) 8-R.Grossman pass deep middle intended for 87-M.Muhammad INTERCEPTED by 42-A.Henry at DAL 11. 42-A.Henry to DAL 34 for 23 yards (81-R.Davis).
On the first play of the second quarter, Anthony Henry picked off an overthrown pass, ending the Bears’ drive following their own interception.
1-10-DAL 31 (10:46) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 82-J.Witten pushed ob at CHI 35 for 34 yards (20-A.Archuleta).
Midway through the second quarter, Romo found Jason Witten. The tight end caught two passes for 56 yards on a drive that led to a Dallas field goal.
3-4-CHI 5 (2:20) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass incomplete short right to 84-P.Crayton.
4-4-CHI 5 (2:17) 6-N.Folk 23 yard field goal is BLOCKED (71-I.Idonije), Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-14-B.Johnson, RECOVERED by CHI-20-A.Archuleta at CHI 6. 20-A.Archuleta pushed ob at DAL 46 for 48 yards (77-P.McQuistan).
This is what I referred to at the beginning of this post. After these plays, the Bears appeared as if they would take a 10-3 lead going into the half. It wasn’t to be.
4-10-50 (:06) (Shotgun) 8-R.Grossman sacked at CHI 36 for -14 yards (94-D.Ware). Penalty on CHI-76-J.Tait, Offensive Holding, declined.
It was a very strange play to end the first half. DeMarcus Ware sacked Grossman, and it appeared as if two or three seconds remained. However, the referee ruled that the half was over. Dallas could have attempted a long field goal.
3rd Quarter
3-7-DAL 39 (12:46) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens to CHI 43 for 18 yards (33-C.Tillman) [91-T.Harris].
On the opening drive of the second half, Romo hit Owens on four passes for 70 yards. The drive resulted in a touchdown pass from Romo to Witten.
3-10-CHI 14 (9:28) (Shotgun) 8-R.Grossman scrambles right tackle to CHI 26 for 12 yards (94-D.Ware).
1-10-CHI 26 (8:46) 8-R.Grossman pass deep right to 88-D.Clark to DAL 22 for 52 yards (26-K.Hamlin).
These were the last two bad plays for the Cowboys all evening. Grossman, who is not a runner, scrambled for a first down on a 3rd-and-10. On the next play, Desmond Clark caught a mid-range pass and should have been tackled by Roy Williams. The hard-hitting safety decided again that form tackling is for others, but his attempt to smash his body into Clark failed, and Clark was off to the races. Two plays later, Chicago tied the game.
1-10-CHI 10 (1:26) 9-T.Romo pass short right to 24-M.Barber for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
The Cowboys responded to the Chicago touchdown by driving 91 yards for a touchdown. Barber made another fantastic play to get into the end zone. Dallas led for the remainder of the game.
2-2-CHI 43 (:38) 32-C.Benson right guard to CHI 45 for 2 yards (92-R.Ayodele). FUMBLES (92-R.Ayodele), RECOVERED by DAL-31-R.Williams at CHI 45. Chicago challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 00:30.)
Kind of an unusual play, because it looked like the fumble came late. However, the fumble led to a Dallas field goal and a two-score lead.
4th Quarter
1-10-CHI 13 (12:01) 8-R.Grossman pass short right intended for 87-M.Muhammad INTERCEPTED by 42-A.Henry at CHI 28. 42-A.Henry for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Shortly after the Cowboys extended their lead to 20-10, Henry intercepted his second pass and turned the game into a blowout by scoring.
1-10-DAL 45 (5:01) 24-M.Barber right guard to CHI 1 for 54 yards (33-C.Tillman).
Yes, I am on the Barber bandwagon, but even if he is splitting time with Jones, he is certainly fun to watch. He rounded out the scoring on a one-yard run two plays after his 54-yard scamper, the longest run of his career.
Our Compliments
Terrell Owens
For the second straight week, this section should lead off with Terrell Owens. He played like a superstar should play, and Chicago could not stop him.
Tony Romo
His pocket presence is getting him noticed– as compared with some all-time greats. The Bears could have sacked him at least eight times, but only managed three. Romo hurt Chicago on the others.
Marion Barber
Mop-up duty or not, Barber is making the plays in the running game. Say it once again– his 10-yard touchdown reception that gave Dallas the lead for good was awesome.
Anthony Henry
It looked as if Henry would be a goat when the Bears picked on him in the first quarter. Two interceptions later, and Henry is looking like a Pro-Bowler.
Needs Some Work
Roy Williams
Two plays worth noting here:
(1) There is no way that Williams should have missed the tackle on Clark. Even a middle school player knows to wrap around the legs.
(2) If you have a penalty named after you, don’t commit it. There was no reason for Williams to pull Clark down from behind by the shoulders, yet the All-Pro safety give Chicago 15 yards for violating the Roy Williams’ rule.
Penalties
Dallas had 12 penalties for 100 yards. Flozell Adams had three of those penalties. The left tackle is becoming a liability.
Drops
Crayton’s drop in the end zone could have been very costly. What causes greater concern is John Madden’s comment that Crayton dropped several in the pregame warmups. Hopefully this is a temporary setback while his finger heals, but we cannot afford missed opportunities. Owens had a couple of drops, but he made up for them.
Stay Tuned
Monday (9/24): Instant Trivia: Cowboys vs. Bears
Tuesday (9/25): Answers to Questions Waiting for Answers
Wednesday (9/26): Way Too Much Information Wednesday
Thursday (9/27) Questions Waiting for Answers
Friday (9/28): History and Trivia
Saturday (9/29): Preview of Sunday’s Game
Sunday (9/30): St. Louis vs. Dallas, Noon
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