Turnovers
Finally, there was a quarterback that threw more interceptions than Romo in a game against the Cowboys. In fact, I don't recall that a single pass was touched by a blue jersey last night. Not by a defensive lineman deflecting a pass, linebacker falling into coverage, member of the secondary reading Romo's eyes, or Romo forcing the ball into coverage. The latter was key even though Romo missed a couple of receivers that were open, but most importantly he missed blue jerseys considering he had constant pressure, since Proctor was getting beat on every play during the 1st half. Romo did scramble to make plays and just as important, he took his medicine when he couldn't make a play. The one thing that Romo needs to improve on is breaking the huddle faster and getting to the line of scrimmage, so that there is a lot more time left on the playclock. This will help his lineman by not giving away the advantage of the cadence that eventually led to the Giants' safety. This also led to the worst and best play by Romo. The center gave the ball to Romo while all the linemen were still in their stances and the Giants defense sacked Romo that caused him to fumble the ball in the endzone. It was also the best play by Romo because he had great awareness to swat the ball into the back of the zone in order to avoid a touchdown that instead led to a safety.
Offensively
Barber had a hard time running the ball against the Giants defense that in the past has had a hard time slowing him down from running all over the place. Obviously, he is still injured. However, there was one run towards the end of the game that showed that he will be alright for the Ravens or the season finale against the Eagles. Whether he is ready to go or not, Choice has done a fantastic job of filling in for Barber and next season this might become a 3-headed monster in the backfield or possible trade bait. This was one of the worst performances by the offensive line in a while and the Giants also have one of the best defenses, so this probably contributed to that as well. But Romo and/or Garrett need to do a better of job of getting the play to the rest of the offense so that linemen can break the huddle faster and get to the line. The ball is constantly being snapped with 1 second left in the playclock and this doesn't help the linemen, especially Proctor. Most importantly, the offense was able to move through the ground at the end when it mattered most.
Defensively
Doomsday is back and stronger than ever. Over the last few weeks the defense has been showing up to chew bubble gum and kick some butt. And they have been all out of bubble gum! Ware finished the game with 19 sacks and has a great chance of breaking or tying Straham's record of 22. And if he breaks it, he will break it without anyone dropping to the ground for him. The defense recorded 6 sacks against the Giants and 2 interceptions. Zach Thomas and Bradie James continue to play awesome run defense. The defense also caused 2 fumbles that the Giants recovered. The Cowboys defense need to continue to bring the heat and they will eventually have more turnovers. The secondary smothered the Giants receiving corp and they are doing a great job in man and in zone coverage that is allowing the defense to blitz more than they had earlier in the year. And if the offense does complete a pass, the secondary is not allowing yards after the catch. The only concern is that Newman takes it for granted that the opposing team will not throw long against him because of his speed which leads for other teams to complete a cheap, long pass against him. The rest of the secondary need to also communicate better to him when the long ball is being thrown against him. On one occassion, Newman didn't even know that the ball was flying over his head and luckily for us, the Giants didn't connect for a touchdown.
Special Teams
The special teams coverage was awesome, especially on kickoffs. On two occasions a cover guy pushed one of the blockers in the wedge into the return guy for a tackle. Now that is being aggressive! Folk also had a kickoff reach the 3-yard line, so he must be eating Wheaties or menudo in order to kick it that deep. Paulescu pinned the Giants deep inside the twenty on 2 different occasions-it helps not having a strong leg when you are trying to keep it the ball from bouncing into the endzone.
Coaching Staff
Overall the coaching staff did a great job of preparing for the Giants and taking away the pressure from Romo by playing oppossum. One area that the staff needs to do a better job of is the reduction of penalties. The Cowboys had 11 penalties for 108 yards and the only reason that these didn't affect the outcome of the game is because Giants had their share of penalties. Given that about 3 were tacky and should not have been called against the Cowboys. The staff needs to continue to remind the Cowboys that they control their own destiny and for them not to count on any help from the Panthers, Bucs, and Falcons.
Anne V
Tori Praver
Heisman Moments: Closest Finishes
Back in Time: November 24
Comments (22) Add A Comment
Well the Giants suck and so did T.O. mister Crisco himself.
The True Joker
Total Comments (11609)
Could the G-Men really miss Burress? me think so, stay tuned, Dallas played well and have to, else its bye bye Wade!!!
Mr.Whistler
Total Comments (871)
Best game the Boys have played in a long time, considering the opponent. If they can win out, maybe that momentum will lead to a playoff win under Romo? Dunno, but it would be lots of fun for Cowboy fans.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Very nice recap. Again you're absolutely right about the turnovers and special teams analysis.
To say Barber had a hard time is a huge understatement. He was completely ineffective. Fortunately Choice looks capable. I felt the O-line was actually effective as a unit in terms of giving Romo time and pass protection, but their adjustments for run-blocking were completely inconsistent.
Interesting point you make about Newman. On a related note, I felt Newman got completely jobbed on that pass interference call. I think they were claiming he straight-armed him but that's one of the weaker interference calls I've seen all season.
YODA
Total Comments (16875)
Jacobs was who they really missed. Not Burress.
YODA
Total Comments (16875)
Watching how the game unfolded and its conclusion, I now feel that this was the real beef that T.O. and some of the players had last week.
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1083)
It was easily our best game for a long time and as you say if we win out maybe momentum will carry us through.This of course is the best time to get on a roll so lets hope this is the first part of a roll to the SB.Again TP great blog and i agree about Choice, that young man is more than capable of filling in for Barber, he did a great job yesterday!
BEAST!
Leander , TX
Total Comments (1283)
Yes this was a Giant Victory. Romo won a big late season must win game, and he did it injured....bout time he earned that paycheck!
I feel ok about the Raven game, but you know those Igles would like nothing more than to end the Cowboys playoff hope in week 17.
The Kinky Wizard
Total Comments (199)
Thanks for correcting me, (slap to side of head) forgot he wasn't play'n!
Mr.Whistler
Total Comments (871)
Both are correct, but at this time of the year the running game will be the difference.
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1083)
Total Package good work,
The penalties will be their undoing. The pass interference stuff they can do nothing about but the false starts, the holding, illegal procedure and formations; OMG stop it! Flozell Adams, most penalized player in the NFL this year!
When it is 3rd and 4 then DeMarcus and Co MUST understand under no circumstances do they bite on a hard count, get in the neutral zone etc etc..... these Drive Killing and Sustaining (for the bad guys) are making me grey before my time.
Overall well played game, Ravens next. We match up to them in Defense and our offense is better, we shall see. I know where I will be Saturday night.
+40yrCowboyFan
Total Comments (3631)
Good stuff, although the D had 8 sacks, which is even more impressive of course, also...
I disagree about Newman, it is no coincidence that the D has stepped up since he came back, he affords them the ability to blitz with no fear and his 4 picks in 5 games is filthy. The ball you speak of was overthrown enough to make it uncatchable, if put in the right spot, he was their. No receiver was making that catch.
Nickb23 - Holland…
Arlington , TX
Total Comments (6711)
Very good review of the game. Cannot argue with a thing you said. I don't see the Ravens scoring enough points to win. A low scoring game, but the Cowboys have more offense.
The Giants are not playing well on offense. It seems to be a weekly event. The running game has gone. Burress is missed in that department more than people might think. The Giants have not run for 100 yards in any of their last four games....
I do not think Jacobs would have made a difference last nite. If you cannot block the other guy, then nobody can run for much. Eli never had a chance. He did not help himself much, but neither did his team mates. If the Cowboys get some offense, then they look like the team to beat to me..
50yearfan
Total Comments (8706)
I agree with Yoda on comment #4 that the pass interference call was tacky and the pass was not uncatchable because the receiver was able to put one hand on it. Not saying that he has been playing bad because he is blanketing whoever he covers. Last week against the Steelers, he was caught looking at the quarterback and was burned for a long pass at a bad time in the ball game. However, not to many corners are currently playing better than he is.
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1083)
Is this where the **** kissing club meets?
Weapon X
Total Comments (28337)
WOOHOO COWBOYS! A much much needed win.
LOVERnottaFIGHTER
Total Comments (6407)
Yah. We know.
Weapon X
Total Comments (28337)
Great job TP! Me suspects the reason Romo took so long to break the huddle (at least the other night) was to clear his head and regroup from the pain that he was constantly subjected to given the many O-line snafus! He took so pretty brutal hits on passes and sacks! In any event he proved his toughness to me as he literally limped into the huddle at times during that game!
Cowboystar
Total Comments (1168)
That's "some brutal hits"", sorry it's early!
Cowboystar
Total Comments (1168)
My bad, I stopped counting and/or keeping at 6.
Total Package
El Paso, TX
Total Comments (1083)
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