by William C Walker Jr.
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Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) blows through Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Sunday, October 12, 2014. he Cowboys won 30-23. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)
Photo: Tom Fox/Staff Photographer
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October 13, 2014
It's hard to contain my excitement after the Cowboys win in Seattle. The last time I think the Cowboys won a game that big on the road was 2009. At that time they beat the Saints in New Orleans when they were 13-0. That team followed it with a shutout against the Eagles and their first playoff win since 1996. As gratifying as that win was it pales to the feeling I had watching the Cowboys get the win over the Seahawks. Here are my 5 points from the Cowboys vs. Seahawks game.
5. No Quit in these Cowboys: You see the '09 team was supposed to be good. That roster was loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. The team this year wasn't expected to do much especially on defense. Yet down by 10 to start the game Dallas didn't quit. They just dominated the rest of the first half to score 17 unanswered points. Even being down 3 as the momentum seemed to swing this team didn't back down. How many Cowboys teams in recent past could we say that about? Like in St. Louis down 21 the team stuck with their game plan and powered their way to the win.
4. Ignore the Score It Wasn't Close: Take away a blocked punt that led to the first Seattle touchdown. Then Duane Harris for the 2nd straight week coughing it up on a punt return led to a second Seattle touchdown. Followed by the very next Cowboys series an early snap led to a fumble recovered by Seattle's defense which led to a field goal. That's 17 points off of Cowboys turnovers. Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense was stymied. And just to see pure dominance just watch how the Cowboys ran the ball on their game winning drive. The Cowboys dominated Seattle and that was a sight to behold.
3. They Can Run on Anybody: Dallas is playing the very definition of big boy football. The Cowboys dominated the line of scrimmage. Going into the game Seattle had the number 1 rushing defense in the league. Seattle's defense only allowed 62 yards rushing per game. The Cowboys ran for 162 yards. Running back DeMarco Murray joins Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown as the only other player to start the season with 6 consecutive games rushing for 100 yards or more. In a league that has become pass dependent Dallas proved that they can run the ball on anyone. The sledding doesn't get any tougher than what Dallas faced in Seattle, but Dallas proved they can be successful as long as they stay committed to it.
2. The Defense Continues to Surprise: Every player on this defense has stepped up and made plays in Sunday's win. Rolando McClain once again gave a solid performance leading this unity of overachievers. After seeing what Russell Wilson did to the Deadskins defense on Monday night, who thought this defense could contain him? Beast Mode Marshawn Lynch was held in check outside of his one big run for 32 yards he had a very quiet day. All around threat Percy Harvin was held to 6 touches for -1 yards. A quarterback not known for making mistakes or turning the ball over was forced to make bad throws including the game ending interception. This defense continues to play with a chip on it's shoulder and it shows.
1. Cowboys owned 3rd Down: Going into the game the Cowboys had the best 3rd down conversion rate with 55.6%. That didn't change after Seattle as the team converted 10 of 17 3rd downs. Now when you have a running game it's easy to convert 3rd and shorts. But in this game in the first and second half the Cowboys converted huge 3rd downs. Twice on the drive to end the first half Romo found back-up running back Lance Dunbar for conversions on 3rd & 9, then 3rd & 14. Finally Jason Witten's first TD of the season came on 3rd & goal giving the Cowboys' a touchdown lead at the half. In the second half on the game winning drive Romo hit Dez Bryant on 3rd & 5 against the premiere shutdown corner in the league Richard Sherman. Then the play of hte game on 3rd & 20 similar to the play last week against Houston. Romo pulled a Houdini avoided the sack and hit Terrance Williams on a 23 yard completion that rivaled Dez Bryant's catch in OT for catch of the year. Just for perspective the rest of the NFL this year on 3rd & 20 is converted 3 out of 55. It's something that's just not done, yet Dallas did in the home of the 12th Man and Super Bowl champs Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys put the league on notice with their physical win if they can keep this up great things are in store.
HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS!!!!!!!
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