Dallas Cowboys crush Chicago Bears 34-10, party ensues
The Dallas Cowboys obliterated the first brick wall put up in front of them on their 2007 march to the playoffs. The Chicago Bears and their formidable defense were supposed to supply the opposition, but Tony Romo and the Cowboys made short work of the NFC Champs at Soldier Field, 34-10. Following the same pattern of starting slow and finishing big this year, the Cowboys resemble a boxer carrying their opponents for a few rounds before getting down to business.
A boatload of penalties - some of them questionable - an interception, a blocked FG, and a dropped TD all helped to slow the Cowboys offensive machine in the first half. The defense gave up yards but tightened-up when they needed to and held Dallas in the game until Romo and Terrell Owens blew the game open in the second half.
I’m running out of superlatives to describe Tony Romo’s performance this season. He spent part of the night turning Chicago’s pass rush into a bunch of dancing Bears trying to catch a jack-rabbit. Romo ran Chicago’s front-four silly in the pocket and ended up hitting big passes when the play should have been over. He finished the game 22 of 35 for 329 yards and 2 TD’s. But the stats don’t really describe how well he played, the way he was able to counter the Bears’ rush and still find receivers was amazing. He did a lot of this while the rushing game was non-existent and Dallas was passing on almost every play.
Terrell Owens turned the second half into the feature event again, even though he had some catches in the "matinee" first half. Owens across the middle is a deadly pattern for Dallas and the Cowboys are so intent on moving him around that they lined him up in the backfield and sent him in motion. The Bears simply had no answer for him. Jason Witten was stellar, as usual – the quiet assassin. Marion Barber came on and put up his requisite couple of TD’s and showed some tough running when the Cowboys were finally able to quit passing.
The defense stepped up again this week and produced those key turnovers that are crucial to big wins. Anthony Henry has played back-to-back superior games, this week he had another two interceptions and returned one for a TD. DeMarcus Ware finally got it going with two sacks and his partner Anthony Spencer added one. The Bears where unable to establish a solid running game and had to rely on Rex Grossman, exactly the way the Cowboys wanted it. He was no match and turned the ball over three times, giving the Cowboys all they needed to deliver the knockout blow in the second half. Let’s not forget Remi Ayodele, the backup nose tackle, who ripped out a fumble that was recovered by Roy Williams, who also had a late interception.
At this point of the season, there is no doubt that the Cowboys are the elite team in the NFC. The offense is firing on all cylinders, the defense is getting big turnovers, and the special teams – except for the blocked FG – are playing lights out. Devin Hester wasn’t even a factor in the game tonight.
Use this thread for all-night celebrating of the Cowboys crushing victory over the Bears.
Box score here.
0 recs |
42 comments
Comments
An even better game
than the first two and against a better team. Hopefully no more mindless, uninformed garbage about Romo not being the real deal.
Defense is improving, although I lost track - did Newman play much?
Offense was OK to start but Garrett made excellent half time adjustments, One can only wonder what they might be with Glenn in the line up.
Nice game. Night all.
by dunkman on Sep 23, 2007 10:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How bout dem Cowboys???
I was worried in the first half, but as soon as we went up 17, I knew the game was over. St. Louis, Buffalo, and then New England at Texas Stadium. I am calling it now, that is a Super Bowl XLII preview. One more time... How bout dem Cowboys?!?!?!
BTW, First one!!!
by TKM31986 on Sep 23, 2007 10:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely
phenomenal. Great. Words can't describe how I feel tonight. Who was the Player of the Game, I missed it. Anyway, let's just cut down on those penalties guys.
Go Big D!
by CowboyBawler4 on Sep 23, 2007 10:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gracias
real futbol americano.
by CowboyBawler4 on Sep 23, 2007 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could have easily been Romo
He was simply amazing. The Bears brought it on almost every play. Sometimes the line picked it up, a lot of the time he moved and evaded and made plays.
by dunkman on Sep 24, 2007 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it would have, but he was MVP last Sun game
by Terry on Sep 24, 2007 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
10/15
will be a huge game. I am definitely looking forward to it, but the guys can't forget about next week. Get next week taken care of then we can worry about the heavyweight bout.
by bryangene on Sep 23, 2007 10:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone else
notice that Rex Grossman seems to lock on to a receiver and never even look at the other WR's?
This W is a great team win. The offense was better in the second half but Julius Jones needs to step up or Barber is going to be the starting RB. The defense played well enough to give us a chance. The special team not only contained Hester they basically stopped him.
by coolaid on Sep 23, 2007 10:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Absolutel
...on target with Rex. Add that to the fact that he's not very mobile, makes 3-4 bad decisions a game, and either can't or doesn't have the trust of the coaching staff to throw the deep ball...seems safe to say he won't be the starter at the end of the year.
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 23, 2007 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both RBs played well
Julius had a 22 yarder called back in the 1st half and Marion had several outstanding runs. Both made good use of their pass catches. This system is working. No controversy. When controversy comes in the team loses focus and that will cost us some games.
by lee3022 on Sep 24, 2007 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
!!WOW!1
that says it all & to think this could have been a complete & total domination if it wasn't for that dropped td pass by crayton & some pretty costly penalties some which were bogus calls by the refs (ie...block in the back by witten & pass interference on terrell owens).
but tony was amazing & so was t.o & witten & that massive offensive line. i stll can't believe we got a franchise qb as an undrafted free agent...what a coup.
can't say how impressed i am of this cowboys team.
they really have you looking forward to the next game.
by cjr126 on Sep 23, 2007 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't say it any better:
" i still can't believe we got a franchise QB as an undrafted free agent...what a coup" ... !!! - cjr
Madden gushing about Romo the ENTIRE second half was music to my ears. Whoever wrote that Chicago article is gonna be eating some humble pie tomorrow.
The Cowboys defense just keeps doing it's job. Imagine adding Ellis, Newman and TANK to the mix. Spencer and Ratliff keep getting the job done. Reeves will only improve with playing time.
The Cowboys are the new sheriff in town... and they will remain so until proven otherwise. From last year's Saints game until today, I have been waiting to say that.
by DalaiLuke on Sep 23, 2007 11:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chicago Trib Writer
"Whoever wrote that Chicago article is gonna be eating some humble pie tomorrow." -DalaiLuke
His name is David Haugh and he writes for the Tribune. If you'd like to congratulate him for a great article, his e-mail is dhaugh@tribune.com
I'm sure he'd love to hear from you ;)
by romosexual on Sep 23, 2007 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone had to do it!
Welcome romosexual, someone finally came out and claimed that name. Rock on!
by Dave Halprin on Sep 23, 2007 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't forget Grizz, I was the original. ;)
by Terry on Sep 24, 2007 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really
romosexual is the original romosexual
by Dave Halprin on Sep 24, 2007 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He already
got a mouthful outta me. Hope I get a response...=)
by CowboyBawler4 on Sep 23, 2007 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the email...
this is the email i sent, titled:
"how's that humble pie taste?"
It wasn't your Bear's vaunted D showing the real Romo, it was Romo making the Bears defense look mediocre. Even when the 'Boys practically abandoned the run, the Bears' defense simply had no answers for Romo.
He simply put the Cowboys on his back and carried them to victory. Romo was sacked early, knocked down early, faced multiple 3rd and longs (including a critical one from his own 11 to start the 3rd quarter) ... and came out smelling like a rose.
There's a new sheriff in town, get used to it, Chicago.
How's that taste?
by DalaiLuke on Sep 23, 2007 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
HOW ABOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!
I swear these kids are the shizzzzzznat! I'm on a football high like no other.. Who's with me? Beer anyone?/?/??//??
by sublimezg on Sep 23, 2007 11:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
HOW 'BOUT DEM COWBOYS !!!
I am in that same "zone" right now.
I really think Madden nailed it: our defense is not championship caliber YET... but Tony Romo is, in Madden's own words, brilliant.
The guy simply put us on his back and carried us tonight. And he did it wearing that play-ground smile the whole time.
Watching Romo and TO on the sidelines late in the game it suddenly dawned on me exactly why TO has been so agreeable lately, he knows far better than we do how good Romo is...
Super Bowl, baby.
by DalaiLuke on Sep 23, 2007 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe...
tap the breaks a little bit. As good as I feel right now, and as weak as the NFC looks right now, it's still eeeeeearly. Think about it this way: we're only 2 games up on Philly with 13 games left to play.
Let's just enjoy this for what it is: a BIG win on the road against the reigning NFC Champs.
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 23, 2007 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I was talking to my wife about that, when we saw the two of them chatting it up at the end of the game and smilling. I literally got chills. Those two are really in sinc with each other...it's almost as if they know what the other is thinking!!!
It's almost scary!
by airtyme on Sep 24, 2007 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm a certified Romosexual
I give up. I am content in my status as a Romosexual. This guy is the greatest thing to happen to this franchise in the last 8-10 years. I was really worried about this game tonight, wondering if we were going to see the Cowboys of last season, who had a habit of losing those important games that we should have won. But tonight, I am completely drunk off of the kool aid. Go Cowboys!!!!
by DC_fan on Sep 23, 2007 11:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
past a true test
Since the season schedule came out, this was the game I circled to see how this offense would play, Clearly, this Offensive line is a better pass blocking line than it is a run blocking line. The runnning game was non existant in the first half and most of the second half. Give the bears alot of credit for that.
How good can this offense get in the passing game, with two elite dangerous weapons on offense with T.O and Witten, what can this offense do with a talented speedster like Glenn in the lineup.
Clearly Dallas has past the test and have to now be considered a team to beat early in the season, but there are some thing this team has to work on.
Penalties, 12 for 100 yards is not acceptabe, I dont care if some were iffy, some games it just happens that way, and good teams have to play through it, but the amount of penalties this club gets every week is concerning, and we all know who seems to lead the way, its the left tackle if you didn't know.
This is a major problem!!! I know the third down conversion perecntage of this team was tops in the league last year, but this year its becoming an issue. The first half, Dallas was 0-7 and 4-13 for the game on third down conversions, we are in third and long way too much.
On offense, Romo has to start games better than he did tonight, it seems to be a pattern with him, after getting hit hard early, he got into the habit of throwing off his back foot making the ball sail on him costing the team an INT and stalling drives by overthrowing receivers,if he starts aginst the Patriots the way he started tonight, the game could be over in the first half. Romo had a couple of questionable throws and threw in the vicinity of recievers, instead of to a spot, but when Romo is on the move, he throws a much better and accurate pass. All in all, Romo played a very good game.
On the defensive side of the ball, even though we played a questionabe offense, the bears were 5-12 on third down efficiency, against good teams on offense, like the giants or the Patriots coming up, our defense is going to have major trouble getting off the field.
This was really an impressive game for the cowboys on center stage on natioanl TV against a very dominating defense that I watched that last two weeks shut down two good running backs in LT and LJ. Next week, the Rams, who are 0-3 are in for a visit, lets hope Dallas doesn't have a let down game and comes out and put the Rams down and out early.
by Deke on Sep 23, 2007 11:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
well said
Great game overall, but those penalties are a killer and have to be dealt with.
by Nelson on Sep 23, 2007 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the Special teams were outstanding
tonight, Mcbriar kicked it high and forced Hester to wave his arm and fair catch it, the kickoffs were deep, in the endzone and Hester was bottled up before he got out to the twenty.
by Deke on Sep 23, 2007 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Romo started the game just fine
don't me that garabge anymore Deke, Romo is the deal so get used to it.
There are times QBs have to throw off their back foot, thats one of the million reasons Tony is so special, the ability to throw the ball from any postion.
What do you want, a robot our there? Romo plays the game with feel, instinct and heart and its something that can't be taught or coached. He's a gunslinger just like his boyhood idol Favre and he's going to get a little wild every now and then. But when its 3rd down or we need a big play, Romo's always going to deliver in the clutch, he's money, pure and simple.
by Terry on Sep 24, 2007 7:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The pick
was off Crayton's hands. That's not Romo's interception. Agree on the blocking, although it appeared to me that the defensive game plan was to bring five to six on every down. That worked against the run, and would have crushed Bledsoe, but when protection broke dwon, Romo was nearly flawless in escaping.
When you subtract 4 easy drops and at least three times I saw him throw the ball away (high in the end zone over Witten, low to Crayton) he was almost perfect.
by dunkman on Sep 24, 2007 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My prediction from early today
from earier:
While I've been getting mixed feelings on this game a very strange number has stuck in my head all week and just won't go away. As unlikely as it may seem the numbers are 31-Dallas 17-Bears. Very odd indeed, though I'll take those numbers any day :)
And as we know the final score was 34-10. Wow, just wow. We destroyed an amazing defense. I'm just ecstatic.
by sublimezg on Sep 23, 2007 11:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's a good thing this ain't audio...
... because I about lost my voice after this win!!!
How 'bout them Cowboys!!!
by kcbrett5 on Sep 23, 2007 11:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sweetness
Penalties aside, couldn't be happier. I'd like to send Roy some tortillas so he can learn how to wrap up. Can we lay off of Anthony Henry for a while now?
by BW on Sep 23, 2007 11:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Observations
- Our huge O line wears defenses down - not to mention injures them
- Romo will make some banker very happy, very soon
- McBriar is a stud
- Barber is nasty good
- Flozell drives me crazy
- Anthony Henry is picking up the slack
- Turnover ratio is outstanding
One more note: Ever since Aikman retired, Favre has been my favorite QB in the league. Not only do Romo and Favre play in much the same way - anyone notice how Romo has fun and is always smiling like Favre. Plus, he likes to joke around with the defensive players. Its a confidence that is rare. When Favre retires, I have my new favorite lined up. Congrats to Brett for matching Marino.
by ibleed blue on Sep 24, 2007 12:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great Win
I'm ecstatic with the win. It's fun to watch this team play football. There's just an ease, a comfort, a playfulness with which they play offensively - the tone is set by Romo. What a great leader. He keeps them loose and the coaches let them play. A couple observations that haven't been made yet:
- Best game of the season from the linebackers. Grizz mentioned Ware and Spencer, but I was impressed with James and Ayodele too. It looked like the Bears were going to commit to the run, but after the first series, James and Ayodele played stout and stellar. I don't think Benson or Peterson made it past the linebackers ever again after the first series. Particularly pleased to call out Ayodele as he's been mostly invisible this year.
- Continued mediocrity from Spears. I haven't said anything on the topic of Spears all season, but I watched him closely this game. He had two tackles and clogged up some running plays, but he just gets absolutely nothing done in the pass rush. He gets no real push, has no creativity, and seems to take about 50% of his plays off. I don't know what to do there as who knows if Hatcher is the answer. One thought I had was Tank in the middle with Canty and Ratliff at the ends.... Ratliff seems to be thriving though, so I don't know that I'd mess with that.
It pains me to say this, but I think the two worst Cowboys on the field tonight were Flo and Roy Williams (and I was wearing a Williams jersey). Flo got beat several times, to say nothing of the penalties. Roy, I'm just not sure he knows what position he's playing anymore. He didn't do much in the running game, looks like he's stuck in mud in the passing game. Had another late INT, which was great, but he's just lost something. I hope he finds his spark again. I can't even remember the last big hit he's had. I can forgive a lot from him if he at least knocks somebody out every once in awhile! ;)
Anyways, this is not to take anything away from the win, just observations. Fantastic, fantastic win. Celebrating in California....
Ol Hickory
by ol hickory on Sep 24, 2007 12:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You make good points
on both Spears and Williams. However Hatcher had no defensive stats. Bowen did get a QB hurry and a tackle. Was Hatcher hurt? I look forward to Dave's film study this week. Maybe he will agree with your assessments. Hard to argue that the best defensive player tonight for the Cowboys was Rex Grossman.
by lee3022 on Sep 24, 2007 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jerry Jones deserves the game ball
When he entered the off-season this year with four questions on the offensive line I was apprehensive. When he signed Leonard Davis for huge money I was disbelieving. But Jerry was right about Bigg and he also was right and re-signed Gurode and Columbo and with Flo regaining some of his mobility it was the offensive line tonight that won this game. They are playing better each week. The fourth quarter belongs to the O-line. They blocked us to 131 yards rushing against the best run defense in the league. Chicago was averaging 73.5 yards rushing defense going into the game after playing consecutive weeks against two of the very best rushers in the league. Barber and Jones were very good but the line is so big they wore the Bears down and sent several of them to the locker room. Nobody is going to want to play these guys.
Jerry also was the guy who hired Jason Garrett as OC even before he hired Coach Phillips. Both hires are proving excellent. So hats off the Jerry Jones - he gets my game ball.
by lee3022 on Sep 24, 2007 12:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Biggest win for Boys in quite a while
That was an outstanding defense that was scorched on Soldier Field tonight.
Despite BS referee calls, Crayton's uncharacteristic drops, and Flo's continued problems with penalties, the Boys put on a clinic.
Red Ball Express is clicking on almost all cylinders, and it's a thing of beauty.
The Bears o-line is also very decent, and Wade's stunts and blitzes worked well. I think Spencer is playing noticeably better. Not to mention their running game was held in check very effectively.
There are still a lot of games left, so I won't say the S word, but with continued improvement I don't see another NFC team as complete as the Cowboys.
Romo is the real deal, no ifs ands or buts about it.
by APerfectStar on Sep 24, 2007 12:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Man!!!
with all the HUGE injuries we have and to crush them at Soldier Field like that is a Statement! regardless of what Romo said
Come playoff time barring anymore injuries, our young guys will have the experience, everybody will be healthy(cept for Fergy), Tank will knock the rust off, and hopefully we'll be the #1 seed.........we'll be a great team heading into the playoffs, really tough to beat......
....I don't want to get ahead of myself, but imagine next year, with everybody healthy and the young guys with the experience.....the rotation of Tank and Fergy, adding a couple of Big FA's, a franchise player with the browns pick and the rest of the draft to completely give us DEPTH........we could have another dynasty on our hands, but like i said...don't want to get ahead of myself, just enjoying it to the fullest
by slash on Sep 24, 2007 8:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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