By Jon Machota jmachota@dallasnews.com
6:32 pm on October 19, 2014 | Permalink
ARLINGTON – There wasn’t a letdown game for the Dallas Cowboys Sunday afternoon. A week after shocking the NFL by defeating the defending Super Bowl champs in Seattle, the Cowboys improved to 6-1 with an impressive 31-21 win over the rival New York Giants.
Here are my thoughts on the Cowboys beginning division play 1-0.
1.) Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this Cowboys run is their ability to answer in difficult times. Dallas did it multiple times in Seattle and again in the second quarter on Sunday. After allowing 14 consecutive points, the Cowboys answered with a 10-play, 80 yard touchdown drive, tying the score 14-14 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Previous Cowboys teams might not have responded in the same fashion. This group is different. Even in tough times, they remain confident in all three phases.
2.) DeMarco Murray just can’t be contained. On his way to setting the NFL record for most 100-yard games to open a season, Murray ran over the Giants and ran out the clock. Just another day at the office for the Cowboys’ Pro Bowl running back, 28 carries for 128 yards. If Murray keeps running like he has, the Cowboys are showing they can beat anyone in the NFL. Dallas can’t worry about pitch counts, give Murray as many chances as he can handle.
3.) Tony Romo, Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and Dez Bryant talked earlier this week about the Cowboys having a significant home-field advantage Sunday at AT&T Stadium. That’s exactly what they got. From the opening kickoff, the soldout crowd was on their feet and providing an atmosphere that is uncommon in Jones’ billion-dollar venue. The noise even led to a couple of New York false starts. The Cowboys play their next two games at home. Similar crowds should be expected, and that’s good news for Romo, Jones, Garrett and Bryant.
“It was outstanding out there,” Romo said. “They were a big part of that win and I think that’s going to continue at home. It felt a lot like what Seattle had up there, so that is pretty big.”
4.) Gavin Escobar’s breakout game makes me think the 2013 draft could end up being pretty impressive for the Cowboys offense. Escobar had two touchdowns and 65 receiving yards against the Giants. Center Travis Frederick continued to open running lanes for Murray and Terrance Williams caught his team-high sixth touchdown pass. Throw in some good production from Joseph Randle and this group could make the Cowboys scouting department look very good going forward.
5.) This division will come down to Dallas and Philadelphia. They are clearly the two best teams in the NFC East. At this point, I wouldn’t pick against the Cowboys. If they stay healthy in key spots, there’s no reason Murray shouldn’t propel Dallas to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. No one could have predicted this 6-1 start a few months ago, but it’s not smoke and mirrors. This team is for real.
6:32 pm on October 19, 2014 | Permalink
ARLINGTON – There wasn’t a letdown game for the Dallas Cowboys Sunday afternoon. A week after shocking the NFL by defeating the defending Super Bowl champs in Seattle, the Cowboys improved to 6-1 with an impressive 31-21 win over the rival New York Giants.
Here are my thoughts on the Cowboys beginning division play 1-0.
1.) Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this Cowboys run is their ability to answer in difficult times. Dallas did it multiple times in Seattle and again in the second quarter on Sunday. After allowing 14 consecutive points, the Cowboys answered with a 10-play, 80 yard touchdown drive, tying the score 14-14 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Previous Cowboys teams might not have responded in the same fashion. This group is different. Even in tough times, they remain confident in all three phases.
2.) DeMarco Murray just can’t be contained. On his way to setting the NFL record for most 100-yard games to open a season, Murray ran over the Giants and ran out the clock. Just another day at the office for the Cowboys’ Pro Bowl running back, 28 carries for 128 yards. If Murray keeps running like he has, the Cowboys are showing they can beat anyone in the NFL. Dallas can’t worry about pitch counts, give Murray as many chances as he can handle.
3.) Tony Romo, Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and Dez Bryant talked earlier this week about the Cowboys having a significant home-field advantage Sunday at AT&T Stadium. That’s exactly what they got. From the opening kickoff, the soldout crowd was on their feet and providing an atmosphere that is uncommon in Jones’ billion-dollar venue. The noise even led to a couple of New York false starts. The Cowboys play their next two games at home. Similar crowds should be expected, and that’s good news for Romo, Jones, Garrett and Bryant.
“It was outstanding out there,” Romo said. “They were a big part of that win and I think that’s going to continue at home. It felt a lot like what Seattle had up there, so that is pretty big.”
4.) Gavin Escobar’s breakout game makes me think the 2013 draft could end up being pretty impressive for the Cowboys offense. Escobar had two touchdowns and 65 receiving yards against the Giants. Center Travis Frederick continued to open running lanes for Murray and Terrance Williams caught his team-high sixth touchdown pass. Throw in some good production from Joseph Randle and this group could make the Cowboys scouting department look very good going forward.
5.) This division will come down to Dallas and Philadelphia. They are clearly the two best teams in the NFC East. At this point, I wouldn’t pick against the Cowboys. If they stay healthy in key spots, there’s no reason Murray shouldn’t propel Dallas to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. No one could have predicted this 6-1 start a few months ago, but it’s not smoke and mirrors. This team is for real.