So this is what the Cowboys have become; cheering like they’ve won the super bowl, after beating one of the worst teams in the league. This has to be one of the most disappointing wins I can recall in recent years. None of the problems that are driving the Cowboys deeper into mediocrity have been addressed. The defense, played well once again… until The Chiefs final drive. This is the third game in a row where the defense has allowed the opposition to tie or win the game on their final drive of regulation. Romo didn’t have a bad game, but I couldn’t wash away the feeling that he would throw a crippling interception allowing Kansas City to kick the game winning field goal… but it never came. Nonetheless… passes were dropped, Crayton muffed a punt, and Folk missed a field goal, not championship, or even playoff characteristics. Miles Austin had the game of his life and saved Dallas from dropping almost all the way out of the playoff race.
I have to ask, why didn’t Tashard Choice get the ball more? Marion Barber still looked like he wasn’t at 100%, yet he got twice as many carries as Choice for half the yardage. Choice almost hit the 100-yard mark (92 yards) on only 8 carries… that’s almost 12 yards per carry! In overtime it was Choice’s runs that finally gave Dallas decent field position, allowing Romo to drop back and find Miles Austin for the game winning TD. Even Troy Aikman and Joe Buck were making comments about how fresh Tashard was, cause they hadn’t given him the ball the whole game!
I’m really starting to question the ability of Jason Garret to draw up a sound offensive game plan… and Flozell Adams has to be one of the worst offensive linemen in the league. He easily has more false start and holding penalties then anyone on the roster. If the Cowboys released him, I’m not sure that anyone would pick him up. Jason Witten was not as involved as he should be, especially in the red zone where the Cowboys have been awful. I guess you can’t blame Garrett for the drops the Cowboys receivers had in the first half, but Miles Austin more than made up for himself in the 2nd half. What a game he had! He passed “Bullet” Bob Hayes for the franchise record for most yards in a game with 250. He’s easily the fastest receiver for Dallas and if he can be a bit more consistent with his hands he may be a candidate for he #2 spot across from Roy Williams.
I still think Wade Phillips is a giant Marshmallow with a headset on, even though the defense looked pretty solid. But why can’t they stop anyone late in the game? Are they Tired? I’m a firm believer that the team takes on the personality of the coach. The defenses performance in clutch situations is a reflection of Phillips abilities to lead.
Keith Brooking is really emerging as a leader for the Cowboys D. The guy gets so jacked up and his mentality is contagious. Even on the sideline, the guy is following every play. When Tashard Choice had his big run in overtime, he was the first one there to bump chests and keep everyone fired up. Michael Jenkins is also starting to make big plays from the cornerback position. He had a huuuuuge pass break up in overtime on Dwayne Bowe, which is not an easy thing to do.
One other point I want to make. The Cowboys had The Chiefs pinned down, 3rd and 26 late in the game and got flagged for a personal foul hit to the helmet. What a crock! Besides that fact that Alan Ball led with his shoulder and not his helmet… he didn’t even hit the guy’s head. He hit him square in the chest, a perfectly legal hit. I’m so tired of all these personal foul calls against defenders. It’s a violent instinctive game and the refs are watering it down to the point where it’s unrecognizable; shame on Troy Aikman for agreeing with this awful call that allowed the Chiefs to move down the field. Dallas ended up blocking the field goal... but it was still a bum call.
The Giants continue to tear through their schedule and it looks more and more like Dallas will have to fight it out for the Wildcard spot in the NFC. Bye week coming up… then Atlanta at Jerry World. Wade Phillips should be fired… but he wont be… not yet. I hope Bill Cowher is ready to go in 2010! Oh and the Broncos are driving late in the 4th quarter to beat the Patriots, maybe that loss last week wasn’t as bad as it seamed.