by. William C. Walker Jr.
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Photo: Michael Ainsworth/Staff Photographer
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) is separated by strong safety Barry Church (42) and a referee as he scuffled with Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) during the second half of the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins NFL football game at FedEx Field in Landover, MD, on Dec 28, 2014. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News)
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December 29, 2014
No one, I mean no one saw the Cowboys winning 12 games this year. After a 28-7 half in week one down to the San Francisco 49ers, there's no way you thought Dallas would be the team at 12-4 and San Francisco would be the team finishing 8-8. Yet that's where we are after the Cowboys rout the Redskins with a 44-17 victory. Up next the Detroit Lions at the Death Star(AT & T Stadium) to open the playoffs. All year long Jason Garrett has been preaching the mantra "Finish The Fight" so with the last game of the schedule that's what the Cowboys did. So without further adieu here are my 5 points of Cowboys vs. Redskins.
5. The Starters Play: All week leading up to the game Jason Garrett spoke of how the starters would play this game. The Cowboys put in the effort that it was business as usual. Much had been discussed do you risk your starters when there's very little chance you'd move from the 3rd spot. Surely after the Cowboys start off the game 27-7 scoring on each of their first 5 possessions the starters would sit. No, Romo and Murray didn't sit until 2 minutes to go in the game. Initially I'll admit I was screaming "What's Garrett Thinking!?" But then I flashed back to 2007 when the Cowboys had already locked up home field advantage and were 12-2 going into the last game against Washington. Leading into that game the Cowboys hadn't been playing their best ball. The starters played a quarter and Washington killed them. That team went on to be upset by the Giants. So after remembering all of that I'm completely ok with this team keeping their edge.
4. Record Breakers: After Romo passed Troy Aikman last week to become the Cowboys all-time leader in passing yards. DeMarco Murray passed Emmitt Smith to own the single season rushing record in Cowboys history with 1845 yards on 393 carries. If Murray wasn't enough to make Cowboys happy or excited for this new set of triplets. Let's add Dez Bryant breaking the Cowboys single season touchdown receptions record with 16, after adding 2 more scores. The combination of Dez and DeMarco continue to make the Cowboys offense a scary proposition for any defense. Evidence of this was on Dez Bryant's first touchdown when Washington removed the safety over the top, and sent a sold out blitz. Romo hit Dez on a quick pass that Bryant took for 65 yards. If teams want to focus on the run, Bryant can burn them with the pass. If teams want to try and stop the pass then Murray can gash them with the run. This is the best spot to be leading into the playoffs.
3. Relatively Healthy: Part of the fear and issue that was prevalent going into this game, was the fear of injury. Thankfully that wasn't a major issue as Dallas escapes relatively healthy. There were definitely a few scares. Like DeMarco Murray being blasted on a helmet to helmet hit, or Cole Beasley nearly being decapitated. Fingers crossed that rookie linebacker Anthony Hitchens high ankle sprain isn't too serious because that'd be a big piece. Also finding out that DT Henry Melton may be out the rest of the season with a knee injury is also troubling. However the majority of the team is healthy which is the important thing.
2. Defensive Dominance: Lost in all the talk of the starters playing, and the offensive dominance that's been on display is the play of this defense. Yesterday the Cowboys over-achieving unit shined again. After giving up a touchdown on a 69 yard screen play to DeSean Jackson the defense destroyed Washington. Once again the defense came up with 4 turnovers, 2 interceptions by Bruce Carter, and 2 forced fumbles one that was returned for a touchdown. I love the way the offense has been playing, but this D that could barely get sacks or turnovers has been doing both this month. Which brings me to my last point.
1. December to Remember: The Cowboys finish the month of December at 4-0! For years not even going back to the Parcells era Dallas has been struggling in the month of December. Now it could've been the fact that entering December at 8-4 Dallas was set to have to win each game just to possibly make the playoffs. But no one could've seen the dominance that they've displayed in each game this month. The Cowboys offense becomes the first team in franchise history to score at least 5 touchdowns in 4 consecutive games. The Cowboys have outscored opponents 165-79 this month the defense has forced 3 or more turnovers in each of the last 4 games. Finally the Cowboys are entering the playoffs with a freight train of momentum not seen since the dynasty of the 90s. Now a lot of my family and friends have told me to calm down in regards to my expectations for the Cowboys this postseason. I'm not going to guarantee that the Boys are going to win it all, but there's this crazy feeling I have about this team that I haven't had in a long time. So with the playoffs about to be underway let's go Cowboys FINISH THE FIGHT!
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