The Dallas Cowboys season is over.
In a span of mere seconds, Cowboys fans went through a roller coaster of emotions that is all too familiar for Dallas Sports Fans. The Cowboys and Packers put on a show today at Lambeau field and it's a shame that what we will be talking about all week is an instant replay decision rather than the gutsy play of Tony Romo and Aaron Rogers. They both played hurt and put on a show for the entire NFL world to delight in. While most fans will focus on the Dez Bryant Catch (and yes it was a catch and I will forever refer to it as such), there were four other game changing plays that must be discussed.
1. The play: With the Cowboys driving late in the first half, the Cowboys lined up with Tony Romo in shotgun on 3rd and 1. Romo mishandled the snap and ultimately threw an incompletion to Terrance Williams at the Goal Line. This botched play led to a 4 and 1 field goal attempt which turned into a 4 and 6 field goal attempt after a false start. The kick was partially blocked and what could've and should've been a 17-7 halftime lead for the Cowboys, turned into a 14 - 10 game as Green Bay kicked a last second field goal. I don't like the call here at all. While the running game appeared stagnant in the first half, Demarco Murray was money on short distance third down runs and instead of sticking with what was working, the Cowboys got cute and it cost them. Had the Cowboys converted on 3rd down, were possibly looking at a 21-7 halftime score which completely changes the game.
2. The play: The Cowboys stopped the Packers on their first drive of the second half and were driving early the in the third quarter when Demarco Murray did what Demarco Murray do. The Cowboys offensive line could not have opened a bigger hole for Murray who tends to fumble the ball at absolutely the worst time, every time. At minimum Demarco Murray goes 40 yards before realizing no ones around him and tripping on his own feet. At minimum the Cowboys kick a field goal for a 17-10 lead and most likely score to make it a 21-10 game. Instead the Packers drove the ball for a field goal and made it a one point game. For all he's done this year, Demarco Murray is a liability with bad vision who makes critical mistakes at the worst times. He needs to be last on our free agent priority list behind players, coaches, ball boys and parking attendants.
3. The play: The Cowboys responded to the Demarco Murray fumble with an outstanding drive resulting in a 21-13 lead late in the third quarter. On the ensuing kick off, the Packers return man fumbled the ball and James Hanna proceed to let the ball bounce off his chest before losing the ball in a scrum. THESE ARE THE TYPES OF PLAYS THAT WIN AND LOSE FOOTBALL GAMES AND HANNA FAILED. You have to come away with that ball. Fumbles don't grow on trees and if you are going to shock the world and beat Green Bay, these are the plays that make that possible. If Hanna recovers the ball, we lead by 11 and probably 15 heading into the fourth quarter. The game changes significantly if the Cowboys recover that fumble and the 4th and 1 heist perhaps never happens at all.
4. The play: The Cowboys had the Packers on their heels early in the fourth quarter who were facing 3rd and 15 on the Cowboys 46 yard line. Rodgers had all day to throw and delivered a strike to Devante Adams who was able to juke Safety Barry Church and run all the way to the end zone. There is no excuse for the Cowboys defense and several glaring issues lead to such a completion. The first problem with this play is the Cowboys pass rush. This has been an issue all season and will no doubt be addressed this offseason. Rodgers had far too much time to pass and this hurt the Cowboys. The second issue was Sterling Moore trying to deflect the pass rather than concentrating on making a tackle. This has happened far too many times to Cowboys DB's and leads to far too many big plays. I also don't understand why Marinelli refuses to blitz in this situation. The Cowboys hardly blitz and in many ways they aren't good enough to blitz, but Rodgers was clearly hobbled and a blitz in this situation perhaps gains the Cowboys a game changing sack. It's one thing to choose your blitzes and use them sparingly, it's another to refuse to do so and constantly give up conversions on 3rd and long all day long.
The Dez Bryant catch will dominate social media and the airwaves and honestly the biggest problem I have with it is that it ruined what otherwise had been a very compelling game. We see this happens all the time. A great game is overshadowed by a game changing call that leaves a sour taste in everyone's mouth. Honestly fans on both sides of the equation should admit that we were all screwed over by this call. We lost a chance to see the game settled on the field and just like that a great game was ruined. Who knows what happens if the catch is upheld. The Cowboys most likely score and go for two leaving the game in Aaron Rodgers hands. Who knows what happens? The way the Cowboys D was playing, the Packers probably move the length of the field and win. Instead, we were left wondering what if. We will never know how the game would've unfolded and that is a shame for everyone involved. I hope the NFL takes a hard look at this rule and I hope the Cowboys maintain their integrity and professionalism and they discuss this call and this game going forward.
The Cowboys season is over but their opportunity is not lost. I hope the Cowboys use their money wisely this offseason and that to me starts with signing Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley and Bruce Carter (More to come on Cowboys offseason priorities later).
DJM
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