Armchair Monday

So coming into the game against the Detroit Lions, I was actually looking forward to this game.

Last week's performance by the Cowboys and the performance by the Lions over the last few years meant this should be a good game for the Cowboys.



While the Cowboy's offense wasn't as explosive in the first half as it was against the Giants, the Defense was just as tight as they were last week. The Offense took their first possession down the field 98 yards, ending with a jump ball touchdown to Dez Bryant.



Their following possessions didn't yield any points, but the defense continued to hold up. A fumble by Felix Jones late in the 2nd Quarter resulted in a touchdown by the Lions, the score 7-10 at the half. Posted via Blogaway on my Samsung Galaxy Tab


The third quarter started off about the same but about half way through the 3rd Quarter the Cowboys came to life.

A punt return by rookie Bryant McCann, his 2nd touchdown in 2 games, put the Cowboys up 14-12 following a safety due to a holding penalty in the end zone by the Cowboys earlier in the quarter.

On the ensuing possesion by the Lions defensive end Jason Hatcher recovered a fumble which then lead to a passing touchdown to Miles Austin.

The Cowboys came to life after that and were leading 28-19 halfway through the 4th quarter with only a long touchdown by the Lions interrupting them.



Nearing the Red Zone once more, Kitna was flushed out of the pocket and ran for a 29yard touchdown, the longest run of his career.



If there is anything that I have noticed in these games, its that the Cowboys need to get better at the run. Felix jones only managed to get around 50, and Kitna was the next rusher with 40 yards on 4 tries. With the 3 Headed Attack that the Cowboys enjoyed last year, they were able to balance things out and keep pounding at the opponent's defensive line.



I'm not sure if its just the age of some of the Offensive lineman, or the fact that Tony Romo isn't the quarterback and the defense doesn't have to worry about his mobility and can bring more rushers, but against top-flight teams, a non-exsistant running game is not going to get the job done.



On the other hand, the Cowboy's receiving corps has shown that it has what it takes to get the job done. Even when he gets hit early after a catch, Dez Bryant has shown his strength and resilience by shaking off tackles and running for those extra yards. It definitely shows why the Cowboys decided to grab him in the first round of the Draft this year.



Even the defense has seemed to come back to life in the last two games. Fumble recoveries, interceptions and interceptions for Touchdowns have all shown that the Cowboys has some major playmakers on their defense, they just need to get motivated to make something happen.







Result: 35-19 (W)

Record 3-7

Posted via Blogaway on my Samsung Galaxy Tab

Armchair Monday

So going into this game, I was not looking forward to hunting for a decent stream on the internet and watching from work. No comfy couch, no beer and I would have to contain my enthusiasm, something that I have a hard time doing during a football game that goes well.


Additionally, I wasn't looking forward to this game because of the way the Cowboys have been playing all year long and especially the beating they took last week against the Packers.


But right out of the gate, the Cowboys looked good.


They held the Giants to a mere field goal in the first quarter and the Offense took charge, Dez Bryant once again showing off why we decided to draft him in the first place. The guy is a monster when you get the ball anywhere near him. The kick by Buehler was tipped leaving the Cowboys up only 6-3 going into the 2nd Quarter.


Buehler added to the score with a Field Goal in the 2nd Quarter and then it looked like it was all unraveling again as the Giants took it down the field to the Dallas 2. But on a 3rd and Goal, a Rookie Cornerback, in for an injured veteran, jumped a botched route on the left side of the offense and snatched an interception 1yard deep in the end zone. And from there, he was off to the races. With a phalanx of blockers surrounding him, McCann dashed to the opposite end of the field and put the Cowboys up 16-3. Both teams put up another field goal, entering the half 19-3 in the Cowboys favor.


Receiving the 3rd Quarter Kickoff, the Cowboys quickly fell to 3rd and 10 as the lights began to dim (reportedly from a blown generator), but then lightning once more as Felix Jones showed the damage he can do in the open field. A short screen and Felix was off, ducking through the defenders and then sprinting up the sideline with Roy Williams flanking him. Cowboys TD, 26-6.


The lights went out throughout the stadium, causing a 12 minute delay and when play resumed, the Giants took it down the field and collected another touchdown for themselves, 26-13.


But the Cowboys weren't finished yet and kept their boots on the Giants' neck, driving another 85 yards in only 6 plays with a touchdown pass to Miles Austin for their last score of the night, putting them up 33-13.


The Giants got a 35 yard pass interference call against McCann and then a 35 yard TD pass to bring the score to 33-20.


In the fourth Quarter, a 4th and 1 stop showed that the Cowboys had showed up to play. They looked to almost add another score to the boards, but Kitna's pass to Bryant in double coverage was picked off in the end zone for a touchback. The Giants started another drive but then Eli Manning dropped the ball and Anthony Spencer recovered, the possession resulting in a field goal attempt that went wide.


The next Giants possession, with less than six minutes to go, drove once more toward the end zone but once again, Eli Manning was picked off by a Cowboys defender. The Cowboys ran it a few times to kill the clock and called it a day.


Result: 33-20 (W)

Record: 2-7







Posted via Blogaway on my DroidX

Armchair Monday

Coming into Week 9, the Dallas Cowboys are 1-6 and looking to snap a 4 game loading streak adc they travel to Green Bay and face the surging Packers.

I knew this game was going to be a challenge when I first looked at the schedule. Without Romo and with the Cowboys playing like they are, I wasn't looking forward to watching this Sunday night contest.

And I was unfortunately not disappointed. An early interception by Kitna, a fumbled kick return that was brought back for a touchdown and a non-existent defense characterized the first half, which ended 28-7. The only bright spot of the first half was the final drive of the half by the Cowboys, with Dez Bryant showing up for the game.

Of course, several calls that went against the Cowboys were obviously incorrect and just continues the example of the refs playing against the Cowboys on a regular basis.

The rest of the game wasn't any better and not really notable, except for the flagrant launch by the GB defense back at Roy Williams that should have resulted in an ejection but because the refs don't like the Cowboys, was a mere penalty.

I think this season is pretty much done for. With a 1-7 Record, the Cowboys would need to run the table against a very rough schedule to even be a distant thought for the playoffs. At this point, I think its time to start playing some of the rookies and get them some game time so next year we have some experienced backups ready to go.

Result: 7-45 (L)
Record: 1-7

Posted via Blogaway on my DroidX