FanPost

Turned Off The Watt: Not So Deep Thoughts On The Cowboys & Texans

Yes it may have looked like it was all the same old Cowboys back to their old tricks again when the defense blew a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter and the offense shot it's foot off again, but there is one big difference between this team and the Cowboys of year's past. Every player that made a mistake this game? Made a big play to redeem themselves. DeMarco Murray fumbled again for the fourth time this season, and he came back from that running like a man possessed earning tough gritty yards for his record setting fifth straight game with 100 yards rushing. Even Emmit Smith the best running back to ever wear a star on his helmet only made it to four straight. Let that sink in. DeMo just did something Emmit never did once. This offensive line is balling but Murray is making the best of what he's got, and what's he's got? Is one of the best offensive lines in the league. But still DeMo needs to stop fumbling the dang ball. Whenever he puts the ball on the ground I want to break things.

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Speaking of fumbles..Even the usually reliable Dwayne Harris had a big gaffe today with a fumble on a punt return that was recovered by Houston. But keeping with the theme of the game(redemption) he made a crucial punt return later in the game which gave Dallas great field position.

There were not only fumbles here but a lot of uncharacteristically dropped passes from this team. Through four games the Cowboys offense only had one drop from it's receiving core. It had at least half a dozen today. None bigger than Terrance Williams two big drops that could have been for touchdowns. He really needs to work on catching with his hands. Looked great at doing it last week against the Saints but didn't look so good today. But just like DeMo, and The Predator earlier, he made a huge catch to give Dallas the lead again in the 3rd quarter. Dez even made some key drops in the first half but he more than made up for those with a back shoulder fade TD catch and a jaw drop to the floor catch of the day. Which I am still in awe of at the moment I am writing this. I mean look at this.

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Choose The Form Of Your Deztruction

I can't think of anyone else in the league right now who makes that catch. Megatron included. One of the greatest catches I have ever seen. I am not the only one who was shocked by this look at this pic of the Houston sideline after the catch. The coordinators go from an extreme high to the lowest of lows in a matter of seconds.

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Dez Did What?

But any write up about the Cowboys wouldn't be complete without a section about Tony Romo. Look, I am what you would call a Romomaniac so my opinion of him might be a bit biased but he was spectacular today. But he did make a mistake in the red zone and tossed a pick so that downgrades his performance in my eyes from Phenomenal to just Spectacular. But either way he had a great day today against a tough defensive front, with pressure in his face almost the entire game. His stat line of 28-41 for 324 yards, 2 TD and a pick was one of his best outputs offensively so far this season. I think he is back to 100 percent or at least close to it. He has to be, because the Romo from week one does not make JJ Watt whiff. That entire play that ended with a 43 yard dime to Terrance Williams was like one reporter said after the game, "One For The Ages". Romo is back folks. The Jedi has returned.

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Return Of The Jedi

And that offensive line. It proved today that it is most definitely without a doubt one of the best in the NFL. It did what no one thought it could do. It turned off the Watt. JJ Watt had zero sacks, zero pass deflections, zero interceptions, and only 4 tackles. FOUR. He was a factor but he most definitely was not a force. This offensive line turned his lights out.

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Oh and I would be remiss if I didn't mention Dan "The Man" Bailey who finally missed a kick after 30 straight only to redeem himself and his legacy by nailing the 49 yard game winner in overtime. Like Jason Garrett said to a reporter who dared to question the coaches confidence with Dan Bailey, "He's A Damn Good Player." Damn right he is. Because he is the MAN.

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SPLIT EM'!

The offense was good when it needed to be but all in all it really turned what should have been a comfortable win into a nail biter because of turnovers and untimely penalties. But the other side of the ball, especially the defense deserves a ton of credit for the win today. Without the defense shutting out the Texans in the first half and conceding zero points off of Dallas turnovers the Cowboys don't win this game. Sure they didn't get a sack, but they hit the quarterback hard, tackled well(at least in the first three quarters they did...) and played with determination. This defense has had it's back to the wall the entire season, and it has performed way above expectations and still continues to get doubts from critics, who still can't seem to give them the credit they deserve. Yes. Houston's offense wasn't stellar but either way the defense got the job done and they deserve a big shout out. Big props go out to Tyrone Crawford, JJ Wilcox, Brandon Carr, Sterling Moore, Justin Durant, and Rolondo McClain for their efforts today. Get well soon 55 we need you. This defense is a completely different animal when it's heart & hammer is off the field.

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HIT EM'!

Like the T-Shirts that the team wears all the time, this team is going to FIGHT. It will not give up. It will never surrender, and if you are going to beat them? You are going to have to execute. This year's Cowboys today did what good football teams do. Win when things get tough. In the NFL? You are going to face adversity. Whether or not it is from a self inflicted wound or a gunshot to the stomach you have to learn how to win these types of games. Last season? More often than not, the team couldn't get it done. And if it did? It wasn't with any type of consistency. Now this is a team that has won four in a row. Too early to say playoffs or super bowl, but it is definitely enough proof to say that these Cowboys are going to fight for that NFC East crown. The Cowboys aren't creampuffs anymore. They aren't chokers, and they aren't a team that you can say at this point in the season is just a mirage. It takes a good football team to do what Dallas has done so far this season. Time will tell if this momentum will continue throughout the rest of the season, but if the Cowboys manage to knock the defending super bowl champions out on their own turf? This team, and it's confidence will soar to heights that have never been seen before. And after seeing the last four games this team was won? I wouldn't bet against Dallas.

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NO WIN FOR YOU!

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