Making sense of the Cowboys nonsensical win

by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on Oct 9, 2007 1:40 AM CDT in News Comment 30 comments

Here’s an attempt at some reasoned thought after that unreasonable game.

I can’t even begin to offer an explanation for Tony Romo. I’ve watched some of the INT’s again already and he was just terrible. You can’t explain away any of them. Plus, he fumbled the ball again while running with it; he reverted back to some bad habits of last year. He continued his habit of throwing high early in games. Then he seemed to overcompensate for it by taking something off his throws and floated them all over the field. But, I will say this: When the chips were down in the 4th quarter, Romo shook off all of that horrible mess he created and got us a TD and set us up for the final FG. So while there’s no excuse for his craptacular performance, he did what was needed at the end.
The defense kept us in that game all night by cleaning up Tony Romo’s mess. Buffalo scored 24 points, and exactly three of them came against the defense. Romo spotted Buffalo 14 points and the special teams unit gave up another TD. But the defense held it together despite bad field position most of the night. Guys like Roy Williams, Bradie James, Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware had a ton of tackles.
What’s happened to our running game? We’ve been relying more and more on the passing game to save us. We need to seriously examine what is going on there and get it fixed. I’ll be looking at that in the film review.
Over the offseason, I was dubious about drafting Nick Folk. We had signed Martin Gramatica to another contract and he kicked pretty well for us last year. I thought the draft pick could have been used elsewhere. Boy, I really nailed that one! No, I shanked it like a Mike Vanderjagt chip-shot, it was Nick Folk who nailed it. Twice. Like T.O. said, he kicked a 106-yard FG, a 53-yarder twice. You also can’t forget the other FG’s he had in the game which were money, and his onside kick was simply sublime.
T.O. has been dropping the ball a little bit over the past two games. That drop at the end on the final FG drive was crucial, that would have made life much easier. I’ll give the defense credit on making a great strip on the 2-pt. conversion although T.O. had his hands on the ball and let it go. I love the attitude T.O. is showing, and his post-game interview was in keeping with his new maturity, but I need him to lock up some of those catches on the field.
I never thought I’d miss a special teams player as much as I miss Keith Davis. Two weeks in a row the Cowboys gave up a special teams TD, once in punt coverage and once in kickoff coverage. Pat Watkins and Deon Anderson got blown out of the play and Bobby Carpenter got blocked, too. I don’t know if it’s all the absence of Davis, but against the Bears we had no problem with Devin Hester when Davis was playing.
At some point in the 3rd quarter, I had the thought that the Cowboys reminded me of Mike Tyson when he went to Tokyo and got knocked-the-bleep-out by Buster Douglas. We were puffed up like giants roaming the earth. The media, the fans, everybody had the Cowboys crushing the Bills just by showing up. All the talk was of next week’s game against the Patriots, losing to the Bills wasn’t even on the menu. Just like Tyson was thinking about Evander Holyfield and losing to Buster wasn’t an option. The analogy isn’t perfect, we aren’t the indestructible champ like Tyson was, but we were looking pretty close to indestructible so far in the season. After the game, I had the thought that this game was like that fight if Tyson had been allowed to continue the fight after staggering to his feet, after pawing for his mouthpiece, and somehow knocked Douglas out with a once-in-a-lifetime left hook.
Maybe the Cowboys are going to have a charmed year. I have no other explanation for this victory. Yes, the defense did well, and Romo woke up late in the game, and Jason Witten continues his fantastic season, and Patrick Crayton continues to contribute, but we had no business winning that game. The Football Gods intervened.
Some quick hit shoutouts: To Sam Hurd for being the first guy to hit the onside kick. To Tony Curtis for recovering the ball. To Jay Ratliff for hustling down the field and recovering Newman’s fumble after he had an interception. To Jason Hatcher for getting a sack.

The DMN recap.

ESPN recap.

Lenny P. column.

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Some interesting stats

The Offense had the same number of total tackles as the Special Teams (3).

The defense gave up 3 points.

The special teams gave up 7 points.

The offense scored a net of 11 points (12 of which were Nick's). They were out rushed 81 yards to 76 (first time this year).

The defense had 8 quarterback hurries, 1 INT, 3 PDs, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 3 sacks, and 46 tackles. Even though the Bills rookie QB completed 23 passes of 31, he did not when it really counted. The defense were heroes all the way.

The special teams also got the ball back on the onside kick so goat to hero.

The offense scored the come-close TD and then the winning FG to also go from goat to hero.

by lee3022 on Oct 9, 2007 1:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bad tackling from the 'Boys

There was play after play where the Bills completed a two yard pass that went for more than ten yards. Just horrible.

by Rob Zuber on Oct 9, 2007 1:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not really

there were a few plays like that but look at the bills total offense. they onyl had two sustaining drives (only one that resulted in points). cowboys D actually played pretty well

by ab03 on Oct 9, 2007 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is some truth to this...

and the good thing: there's room for improvement.

But on a night when the D saved us, they deserve some serious praise for so many clutch plays.

I can't help this creeping feeling that this game is EXACTLY what we needed. If we ever were going to have humility PLUS be undefeated, it is staring embarrassment in the face on Monday NIGHT Football.

The sun is shining on us.

Cowboys and Tar Heels

by DalaiLuke on Oct 9, 2007 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Observations

The pass to Witten after T-New's pick was as bad a decision as I've seen Romo make (and he made a lot of them today). He stared down Witten, missed TO wide open short in the middle, and even if he missed the linebacker on the inside, Witten was bracketed on the outside and upfield. There was zero chance of that being a positive play. I'll be interested to read your film review, Grizz. From what I saw, the Bills played a wide-set 2-deep zone most of the game. The key was that their linebackers played very deep in passing situations as well. They were basically taking away anything from 10-25 yards and giving Romo the short dump-off passes and flats. Unfortunately, Romo continually lost his patience and didn't accept the short dump-offs until the 2nd half.

Great effort by the defense tonight. The only goat out there seemed to be Carpenter. He missed tackles by 5 yards in the Nickel and got moved out on the kick-return. A lot can happen, but I'd be very surprised to see Carpenter in the Phillips system long-term.

Ware and Spencer looked dynamic again. They were dominant for certain periods throughout the game - Ware wreaking havoc and Spencer cleaning up with solid tackles. They are going to be very very fun to watch. Spencer plays with a football intelligence and feel that even Ware didn't have year 1.

Ol Hickory

by ol hickory on Oct 9, 2007 1:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yes

Once Romo started taking the 5-10 yard receptions open to him, the game changed. The thing about Brady/Manning is that they are happy to dime and dunk their way down the field - Romo must adopt this disposition.

by sactown on Oct 9, 2007 7:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

YES!!

In the first preseason game, Romo made the comment afterwards that he just took what the defense gave him. He needs to do that EVERY game. If they dropping back from the blitz into zone and no one is open, don't force it! Dink and dunk, run for 3 or 4 yards yourself, etc.

He will face another defensive scheme this week from Belichek that will probably be just as confusing. He needs to seriously learn a lesson from this game. Hopefully, he and Garrett will be doing some serious work this week.

by Philosopher on Oct 9, 2007 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my thoughts

our D save our butts, romo looked dazed, the refs were out to get us, and for newman being a track runner in collage, he got run down, i hope he didnt hurt himself because it looked like he pulled up at the last second...and tyson never really fought anyone good while he was winning...but we won and i didnt die of a heart attack so things are not too bad...

"I guess I'm gonna fade into Bolivian." Mike tyson.

by hashishkabob on Oct 9, 2007 2:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

2nd'd

To see Newman get run down from behind shows how much he must be hurting.

by sprprsnmn on Oct 9, 2007 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He wasn't

100 percent you can tell. He would have never been caught from behind healthy.

by Cowboys81 on Oct 9, 2007 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Romo

I had a small question mark about him before the season started. I wasn't sure if he would be as good as he was those first 5 starts last year.

By the end of the Chicago game, he erased my doubts.

By the end of this game, they are back to a small degree.

He was simply awful. Yes, he had the drive in the 4th quarter. But had he played just half-way decent, that drive wouldn't have been necessary. The bills zone completely screwed him up for most the game. Other defenses will now copy that, starting with the elite game planner himself, Belichek, next week. So, Garrett better smack Romo alongside the helmet and teach him how to read a defense better because we just got lucky tonight.

But I will add this. Last year, we could never have gone on the road, to a stadium as electric as the Bills was, and pull out a win like that. Never. So, that shows me something about this team. And 5-0 is 5-0.

Still. We have a lot to fix starting this week!

by Philosopher on Oct 9, 2007 5:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Random Thoughts

Every time the Bills came out with their front 7 all standing up, I was hoping Tony would audible to a run play. This defense just begs for it. The Oline automatically has leverage and you can really get some run yardage out of it.

The running game was worse then Romo because at least Romo made plays when it mattered. Romo attempted 50 passes which led to line backers vacating the line of scrimmage and going into coverage. The increase in coverage led to more interceptions. Romo was asked to make a lot of throws that he normally doesn't have to because the running game opens things up.

Garret's abandonment of the run worked in the Chicago game but almost backfired here. We never wore down their defense. Even then there was no excuse for some of Romo's throws.

Derek

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Oct 9, 2007 7:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It looked to me like Buffalo

was playing the run and the deep pass. For my taste, the play calling got a little too pass happy. A few more runs and screens would be nice. And NO MORE quick passes to the WR on the line.

by BigE on Oct 9, 2007 7:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Buffalo

was stacking the line and almost begging Romo to throw. In the past 4 games when Romo was on his game we would've put a 50 spot on them the way they played us.

by Cowboys81 on Oct 9, 2007 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Romo the rookie

Hidden behind his gaudy numbers is the fact that as of next week Romo will have started in the equivalent of 1 full season. Romo has all the intangibles that cannot be coached, but the kid still has a lot of experience to gain and coaching to be done. In a game where he was wildly off target and making poor decisions, on the 3 clutch drives (end of half, the last TD and to set up the Folktastic field goal) he made the plays. How many QBs in the NFL could do that after 6 turnovers?

Hats off to the Bills, they gave everything they had in that game and the crowd was amazing. Just no match for Folk. Winning the ugly ones is what separates a good season from a special one. Keep it up boys.

by bluewolf021 on Oct 9, 2007 8:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly

There's no doubt Romo was awful, but he was quite composed for the game-winning drives. Even after all of the turnovers, I still had confidence in him to make plays to win (I didn't have that confidence in Folk before last night's game, but I sure do now!). In a way I think this game is a good thing: it gives the team a major reality check but also showed how resilient they are (not to mention that it was a win). How many teams would have kept fighting like that after the QB turns the ball over 6 times and spots the other team 14 points? Romo has carried the team in past weeks, but this week the team carried him. These guys believe in each other.

By the way, as happy as I was for the win, I felt reaaaallly bad for the Bills and their fans. They definitely deserved to win and that was basically their biggest game of the season. I tip my hat to them for making it so tough. Edwards looks like he could be pretty solid.

by grapejoos on Oct 9, 2007 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A win is a win

and we can't possibly play any worse than that. This team has the heart of a champion and best case scenario, Romo and TO grow from this, realize they are not invincible and refocus. I have never seen a game this wild but our defense hung tough and we made enough plays to win which is the biggest difference is this year's team - we always used to find a way to lose, now we find a way to win.
I can't wait to find out which Cowboys team shows up next week!!

by Billito on Oct 9, 2007 8:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The three biggest pays of the game

and his name is Nick Folk.

#3 The game winning kick. I know everyone will think that the game winning fieldgoal should be number one, I disagree.

#2 The onside kick, without it, you dont even have a chance at the game winning kick.

#1 The 47 yard fieldgoal at the end of the first half is IMO the biggest kick of the game and here's why. Romo was horrible in the first half with four picks and as bad as he played in the first half, Romo got us to where Folk had a chance to get the cowboys within one score, that was key. I can hear wade Phillips in the locker room at the half, forget that half guys, as bad as we played, we are within one score of being tied, so IMO that was the number one play of the game.

Folk, 4 for 4, an onside kick and a game winner, kicked twice, I say Folk is the FEDEX player of the week.

by Deke on Oct 9, 2007 8:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Romo didn't look like he reverted back to his old

ways of last year. It looked like we had a high school quarterback on the field at times. He played absolutely horrendously against a depleted secondary. Romo needs to get his head on straight.

On the bright side, Folk is the Folk'n man and our defense looks good.

Burt-D

by Burt D on Oct 9, 2007 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Deon the FB

had some catches too - his little coming out party.

by BigE on Oct 9, 2007 10:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Deon made solid catches and made the tackler pay. I liked his mobility out there, even if they were leaving him wide open. His hands, for a FB, seem good enough.

by grapejoos on Oct 9, 2007 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe

that in all of that nonsense, Romo threw for 309 yards. Thats the second highest total for the week. The highest being Favre who of course lost.

What a ridiculous night.

by gaz0425 on Oct 9, 2007 10:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For Buffalo, worse than the Nick Folk kick...

was the kick that the Bills coaching staff gave their team and the Buffalo fans dead square in the crotch becasue they should still be celebrating now.

-How do you call a pass play on 3rd and 8 at our 11 with an 8 point lead and 5 min to play? Run the ball, kick the FG and go up by 14 with 5 min left to play. Don't give our D the opportunity to make a play...they did and we did.

-After we recovered the onside kick, our only hope was to get in FG range. With no time outs and 13 seconds left, everybody in North America knew ANY play we ran HAD to get out of bounds. The Bill's D was in some kind of soft prevent and let us complete not one but two short passes gaining 12 yards and getting OB each time.

The rest is Folk-lore

If we ever find ourselves in a situation where it takes sound coaching decisions to preserve the win, let's hope our coaches didn't drink too much of that Buffalo water.

by ImpactNate on Oct 9, 2007 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

crayton continues to make plays

6 catches - 71 yards - 1 td

on third down, he was thrown to 3 times and had 3 catches, all for first downs. t.o. (and glenn) may have better breakaway speed, but crayton excels in taking passes short of the sticks, and working his way through traffic to get the needed yards.

i don't know what jerry's thinking about the receiving corps next year, but i hope the 'boys can find a way to keep this guy on the roster.

by billstickers on Oct 9, 2007 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For all who wanted to draft Folk

There once was man named Nick
Who when drafted, made many fans sick
But he walked onto the field
and a mighty leg he did wield
and he won the game with a kick!

Go Cowboys!

by brushpile on Oct 9, 2007 10:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Game Balls to the D and Folk

because if not for this excellent Defense holding the Bills to 3 points and Nick Folks outstanding kicks the boys would be 4 and 2 after the first 6 and going down hill fast, this game as bad as it was for Romo and T.O. (both were equally bad) hopefully it was a wakeup call to both (especially Romo cause TO will continue to drop balls, he is very over rated) if Romo does learn from this he could be great the rest of the way, once we get the loss to NE out of the way next week, they could end up 11 and 5 or 10 and 6 maybe even better depending on injuries and how they learn from this game.

by Daboys4ever on Oct 9, 2007 10:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Defense

Agreed. Our defense is really getting good.

Go Cowboys!

by brushpile on Oct 9, 2007 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

5-0

Winning that game was huge.

It will go a long way to helping us to get to the playoffs, home field advantage, etc. even if we lose next week, 5-1 is a LOT better than 4-2.

I think it will help the team when they get behind in other games to never give up. They can rally aroud the cry "remember the buffalo game" and dig in.

I think it will go a LONG way to bringing the team together. (supporting one another...)

Go Cowboys!

by brushpile on Oct 9, 2007 10:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs