by William C. Walker Jr.
October 20, 2014
Like most fans typically at the beginning of the season I'll take a look at Dallas' schedule and map out what their record maybe. Usually I can find myself sliding towards the end of optimistic, but I can honestly say my hopes were not high. At no point in time did I see this team having a record of 6-1. I haven't this fired up about my boys since 2007 the year they went 13-3. Without further adieu here are my 5 points from the Cowboys/Giants game.
5. Blind Refs: Now this turned out to be minor in the grand scheme of things, seeing how the Cowboys still won. But their was a play when Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain bust through the center of the line. He met Giants rookie running back Andre Williams head on, and proceeding to strip the ball. Now when the whistle was blown McClain had the ball, but the refs had said he had stopped Williams forward progress. Anyone that saw the replay clearly saw the ball coming loose as soon as McClain hit Williams. Since the refs called forward progress the play couldn't be reviewed and Dallas lost on a takeaway. I only bring it up because this is the 4th game I've seen with the Cowboys were they could've had a huge play with a turnover but the refs waved it off. I think it's beyond stupid the refs are so premature when turnover are automatically reviewed anyway. So what's the harm in reviewing it and making the change if necessary.
4. No Sacks (Right Now) No Problem: Okay so in 7 games the Cowboys defensive line has 7 sacks. I'll be honest a 1 sack per game average is not very good. Make no mistake Dallas doesn't have an elite defense, but they do have a solid defense. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli has them playing complete fly to the ball team defense! So while the fact they're not getting sacks isn't hurting them now this team is making stops, and getting pressure on the quarterback. During the Giants first series in the 2nd half on a crucial 3rd and long, the line didn't sack quarterback Eli Manning. They did however put enough pressure on him to cause him to overthrow a wide-open Rueben Randle that would've led to at least 3 points. Dallas' defensive has continually made plays like this, and it's a large part of this winning streak. Hopefully with the arrival of 2nd round draft pick DeMarcus Lawrence can help with the pass rush.
3. Move Over Jim Brown: For the 7th straight game DeMarco Murray rushed for over 100 yards. Murray added another 28 carries for 128yds and 1 touchdown to his already impressive totals. With the performance he broke Jim Browns record of rushing for over 100yds in 6 straight games a record that stood for 56 years. Murray has been a man on a mission running like a man possessed. A lot has been made of Murray's workload a midst this run he's been on. With a history of injury it's understandable, but if it's something that's worrying Murray you'd be hard-pressed to see it. He's flat out determined, and the Cowboys are determined to stick to the game-plan. This couldn't have been more evident thin late in the 4th quarter the Cowboys are driving after the Giants have just scored to cut the lead to 7. Dallas faced a 3 and long 1 the Giants put 9 in the box, Dallas of last year would've tried to be cute and passed for the 1st down. But Dallas trusted Murray and he bulldozed his way through the line to pick up 5 yards. There's nothing more demoralizing to a defense to know what a team is going to do, they know you know what they're going to do, and they still run the ball down your throat. Murray is playing at an MVP level right now and as long as he's doing so the Cowboys wins like Murray's record breaking performances should continue to stack up.
2. Efficient Romo & Gavin Escobar: Like the Dallas team quarterback Tony Romo has greatly benefited from this running game. After a rusty start Romo has been on fire and more importantly incredibly efficient. Last year Romo averaged about 35-40 passing attempts seeing how the Cowboys passed at least 70% of the time. This year Romo's average has been more around 25-30 pass attempts. Currently Romo has a blistering 71% completion rate, in the game yesterday Romo only attempted 23 passes. Completing 17 going 9-9 in the 2nd half, HE ONLY THREW THE BALL 9 TIMES! That is fantastic the least Romo has to do the better. Romo is a really good quarterback but if he feels like he has to do it all there's more of a chance of him making a mistake. Also standing out to me in this game was tight-end Gavin Escobar starting to justify that 2nd round draft pick from 2013. Last year it made absolutely no sense for Dallas to draft another tight-end especially when Witten was still playing at a high level, and you had just drafted a speedy tight-end the year before in Oklahoma's James Hanna. In the last 2 games Escobar has emerged as a legitimate red-zone threat yesterday picking up 65yds and 2 tds, after Seattle it brings Escobar's total to 3 touchdowns. Standing at 6-6 260 pounds Gavin Escobar is just another offensive weapon this Cowboys offense can use.
1. 2nd coming of the Play-maker: Once Dez Bryant was given the number 88 the expectations were huge. Michael Irvin for all intents and purposes was the heart and soul of those 90s Cowboys. He played with fire and passion. Each year Dez Bryant has grown, and he's starting to seriously emulate the Hall of Fame wide receiver. During the 2nd quarter their was a play where Dez was on a go route tripped on the turf and it led to a Giant interception. You could see the look of disappointment on Dez's face, and after a lackluster first half where he caught one pass, Dez exploded in the second. With each big play that Bryant made you couldn't help but think of the Play-Maker. Key 3rd down single coverage it was automatic that the ball was coming to Dez. Despite the coverage the ball was secured by the Cowboys big play wide receiver. Dez said after the game that he had to just "play like himself again". He explodes off the snap and his passion seems to be coursing throughout this team. If Dez could inspire this team half and much as Michael Irvin inspired his team in the 90s the possibilities for this team are limitless.
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