Home > 2004 Schedule and Tickets > Game 3 stats and recap

Cowboys dominance over Redskins continues.

Much of the hype was focused around the coaches, but it was the players who had to decide the game. Even though Parcells has now won 7 or 8 in a row over Joe Gibbs, neither coach appears to be head and shoulders above the other.

The Cowboys run their current streak over the Redskins to 12 wins in 13 tries on Monday Night (9/27/04) with a 21-18 victory. Something that has to drive Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to fits. History has shown us that regardless of records, when these 2 teams play, its a classic battle that will likely come down to the wire.

The Redskins showed up with a much improved defense from a year ago even without star linebacker Lavar Arrington. The Redskins constantly confused the Cowboys, blitzing a lot and never allowing the Cowboys to establish any kind of a running game. The 3 TD's the Cowboys did score seem to come in flashes. The 1st was set up by an interference call in the end zone. The 2nd was setup by a long 48 yard pass to Antonio Bryant, who made a spectacular catch over Redskins CB Smoot. The 3rd TD was the Richie Anderson show. Richie caught a long 28 yard pass along the sidelines, then he scampered for 13 more yards on a run sweep. Last he tossed a 26 yard TD pass to WR Terry Glenn.

The Cowboys defense was dominant for most of the game allowing only 10 points for 3 plus quarters. The Redskins had a 1st and goal from the 1 late in the 2nd quarter but could only muster a field goal against the stingy Cowboys defense. RB Clinton Portis showed why he is one of the elite backs in the game with 94 yards on 23 carries but the Cowboys never allowed him to break off on a long run and once they had an 11 point lead in the second half, the Redskins had to pass more and run less. The defense sacked Redskin QB Mark Brunell 5 times, something the Cowboys have not been able to do in a long long time. I can't remember the last time the Cowboys defense had 5 sacks in a game, honest I can't!

The only downside for the Cowboys defense was an untimely roughing the passer call against Marcellus Wiley on 4th down allowed the Redskins to continue a drive that eventually ended in a touchdown and 2 LONG passes late in the game from Brunell to Rod Gardner over Rookie CB Jaques Reeves. The 1st long pass set up a TD that brought the Redskins to within 3 points and the 2nd was on the last play of the game putting the Redskins in field goal range but because Roy Williams made the tackle in bounds the Redskins could not stop the clock and time ran out. whew, that was too close for comfort. Jacques Reeves had taken over the corner spot for an injured Pete Hunter.

Special teams were quite, which can be a good thing. No news is good news. 3 XP were good, no field goal attempts. Another nice sign that the Cowboys are converting opportunities into TD's. The cover team was good, never allowing a long return. In fact, only 3 of the 8 Cowboy punts were returned. A couple of the kickoffs were short and allowed the Redskins good field position, other than that, a quite night for the Special teams.

Injuries; Pete Hunter knee, Dan Campbell ankle

Player of the Game
I have to agree with John Madden and Al Michaels and give the honor to Richie Anderson. He led the team in rushing, caught 2 passes, and threw a touchdown pass. Way to go Richie! Honorable mention goes to Antonio Bryant, Roy Williams, Greg Ellis, and Tony Dixon. All had great games!

Other players who deserve props on defense were Roy Williams, he was all over the place, Dat Nguyen, ditto, plus Dat got his 1st interception in a long long time. Terence Newman played very well as did all the corners. Pressure on the QB can make your corners look all pro!

Grades:
Offense - B- (no turnovers and few penalties plus 3 TD drives, not stellar but manageable).
Defense - B (did not force any turnovers but were able to contain Portis who ran well but did not break any long plays, plus they recorded 5 sacks, the most I can remember in a long time!. The defense would have gotten an A if not for the last 2 Redskin drives).
Special teams - B (sometimes the compliment about special teams is no compliment, nothing spectacular but no miscues. A few short kickoffs and a couple of short punts are the only things I can fault them on).

Did you notice?
Dedric Ward, minus the one muffed punt, returned punts rather effectively. He always seemed to pick up a few yards.

Tony Dixon's blitz sack causing Brunell to fumble. There were like 3 Cowboys around that ball and everyone tried to pick it up, just cover it next time!

Unsung Heroes, Darien Barnes and Dan Campbell. Both picked up crucial 1st downs on 3rd down catches to allow the Cowboys to burn more clock.

The Redskins blitzed a lot and got a lot of pressure on Vinny. Keyshawn should have been open on a slant or 2 but I don't remember them running one.

On the last play of the game, if Roy Williams doesn't come up and lay the wood to Gardner, he would have likely gotten out of bounds to stop the clock. This was undoubtedly, the play of the game!

Both Madden and Michaels were both adamant about the early interference call on the Redskins to set up the Cowboys 1st TD. They called it a bad call, maybe so but I thought it was a bad NO CALL. The interference on the Redskins was obvious interference and rightly flagged, the no call on Glenn seemed to be the issue. This wasn't the only play the Refs missed, see Clinton Portis knee hit the ground.

Scoring Summary 1st Quarter TD Eddie George , 1 YD run (B.Cundiff kick) 4:01, Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards in 3:30. 2nd Quarter FG John Hall 17 Yd, 0:07. Drive 15 Plays, 91 yards in 7:36. 3rd Quarter TD Jason Witten, 10 Yard TD Pass from V.Testaverde (B.Cundiff Kick), 8:47. Drive 4 plays, 80 yards in 2:18. TD Rod Gardner, 1 Yd Pass from M.Brunell (John Hall kick), 0:45. Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards in 8:02. 4th Quarter TD Terry Glenn, 26 Yd pass from Richie Anderson (B.Cundiff Kick), 13:00. Drive 5 plays 72 yards in 1:51. TD Rod Gardner, 15 Yd pass from M.Brunell (pass to T.Jacobs for 2 point conv.), 4:30. Drive: 2 plays 64 yards in 0:15.

2004 Season stats

Richie Anderson breaks free on a 13 yard run.

2004 Topps Richie Anderson

The Cowboys get a bye next week and they play the Giants at Home on 10/10/2004 at noon on FOX!