Cowboys win at home against the Chiefs!
Just when you thought it was time to turn out the lights on the Cowboys season, the offense awakens to give the Cowboys new life!
Many times during Sunday's game I felt the game and season slipping away. Each time the Cowboys answered with a flash. Trailing 14-3 early in the 2nd quarter the Cowboys ran a flea flicker and Drew Bledsoe hit a streaking Terry Glenn on a 71 yard touchdown play.
Nearing the end of the first half the Chiefs were at the door steps of increasing their lead to 21-10 when the Cowboys LB Scott Fujita blitzed, sacking Trent Green and forcing a fumble. The fumble was then picked up by Rookie Marcus Spears who raced 60 yards to set the Cowboys up for a quick score just before half. The Cowboys were 10 yards away from being down 21-10 but were instead leading at the half 17-14.
The Chiefs continued their offensive barrage by scoring in the 3rd quarter but the Cowboys had an answer early in the 4th with a Terry Glenn 6 yard TD reverse.
The Chiefs pulled ahead again late in the 4th quarter with a 47 yard TD strike from Green to Kennison leaving the Cowboys 4 points down and 3 plus minutes to play.
The Cowboys went on one of their best drives of the season, with Drew Bledsoe hitting on all Cylinders. The drive finally stalled inside the 5 yard line with on 4th and goal Bledsoe hit Jason Witten for an apparent touchdown but Witten dropped the pass under heavy pressure from the Chiefs defense but luck was on the Cowboys side. The Chiefs were called for holding Witten on a play that was obvious but could have easily not been called.
The Cowboys got new life and 2 plays later took the lead on 1 yard TD pass from Bledsoe to Dan Campbell. The Cowboys had the lead 31-28 with only 31 seconds remaining.
We've seen this many times this year, the defense unable to hold a late lead but 31 seconds, surely they could hold this lead. Not so, the Chiefs were in field goal range in 2 plays but fortunately for the Cowboys the Chiefs missed a 41 yard field goal at the end of regulation to give the Cowboys a much needed victory!
At times this game was not pretty, especially for the defense but some times you have to win ugly, and in December, any win is a good win!
Player of the Game; Terry Glenn had his best day of the season leading the team with 138 yards receiving and 1 touchdown. Plus he recorded his first ever career rushing touchdown with a 6 yard end around in the 4 quarter!
Other players who deserve props; Drew Bledsoe was fantastic with 3 touchdowns, 300 plus yards and zero interceptions!
Jason Witten had another superb game leading the team with 7 catches!
Marion Barber provided a nice change of pace in running game leading the team with 82 yards rushing on only 15 carries, plus Marion picked up another 32 yards receiving!
Scott Fujita and Marcus Spears turned this game around late in the first half with a sack, forced fumble by Fujita then an alert Spears picks up the ball and rambles 60 yards to set the Cowboys up for a late touchdown. That was a 14 point swing when the Cowboys needed it most!
Grades:
Offense - A. The Cowboys offense was able to match the Chiefs high powered offense toe to toe. They ran the ball just well enough to force the Chiefs to respect the run and then were able to create some big plays in the passing game! Zero turnovers were the difference plus no penalties in the second half after 4 holding calls in the first half!
Defense - C. The worst effort of the season by far. The defense appeared to be struggling all day in all phases. They weren't able to stop the run. Trent Green was able to complete a lot of passes for huge gains! They got little pressure on the QB, only the forced fumble and subsequent return kept this score from being worse! Once again this team allowed a late drive by the opposing team, this time with only 22 seconds on the clock the Chiefs were able to move the ball to within a very makeable field goal of 41 yards. Fortunately for the Cowboys and the defense the kick was wide right!
Special teams - C. Not so special. The opening kickoff was returned to mid field. The Cowboys first punt was shanked giving the Chiefs their 2nd short field! The next Cowboys kickoff was returned to near mid field. Finally the Cowboys special teams settled down and played a good second half!
|
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
|
|
17 |
0 |
14 |
31
|
|
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
28 |
|
Scoring Summary |
1st Quarter |
|
TD |
Larry Johnson, 11 Yd run (Lawrence Tynes kick is good), 9:32. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards in 2:49. |
2nd Quarter |
|
FG |
Billy Cundiff 34 Yd, 8:00. Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards in 9:16. |
|
TD |
Larry Johnson, 1 Yd run (Lawrence Tynes kick is good), 5:19. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards in 2:41. |
|
TD |
Terry Glenn, 71 Yd pass from Drew Bledsoe (Billy Cundiff kick is good), 3:55. Drive: 2 plays, 74 yards in 1:24. |
|
TD |
Jason Witten, 26 Yd pass from Drew Bledsoe (Billy Cundiff kick is good), 0:40. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards in 0:22. |
3rd Quarter |
|
TD |
Larry Johnson, 21 Yd run (Lawrence Tynes kick is good), 8:39. Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards in 4:48. |
4th Quarter |
|
TD |
Terry Glenn, 6 Yd run (Billy Cundiff kick is good), 13:07. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards in 4:50. |
|
TD |
Eddie Kennison, 47 Yd pass from Trent Green (Lawrence Tynes kick is good), 3:55. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards in 4:06. |
|
TD |
Dan Campbell, 1 Yd pass from Drew Bledsoe (Billy Cundiff kick is good), 0:22. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards in 3:33. |
|
Passing |
|
CP/AT |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
D. Bledsoe |
22/34 |
332 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rushing |
|
ATT |
YDS |
TD |
LG |
M. Barber |
15 |
82 |
0 |
28 |
J. Jones |
12 |
41 |
0 |
9 |
T. Glenn |
1 |
6 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receiving |
|
REC |
YDS |
TD |
LG |
T. Glenn |
6 |
138 |
1 |
71 |
J. Witten |
7 |
93 |
1 |
26 |
K. Johnson |
3 |
35 |
0 |
16 |
L. Polite |
3 |
33 |
0 |
15 |
M. Barber |
2 |
32 |
0 |
21 |
D. Campbell |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fumbles |
|
FUM |
LOST |
REC |
YDS |
D. Bledsoe |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
M. Barber |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
M. Spears |
0 |
0 |
1 |
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
Kicking |
|
FG |
LG |
XP |
PTS |
B. Cundiff |
1/1 |
34 |
4/4 |
35 |
Punting |
|
NO |
AVG |
I20 |
LG |
B. Cundiff |
1 |
35.0 |
0 |
35 |
M. McBriar |
4 |
44.2 |
2 |
52 |
Kickoff Returns |
|
NO |
AVG |
TD |
LG |
T. Thompson |
5 |
26.0 |
0 |
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
Punt Returns |
|
NO |
AVG |
TD |
LG |
none |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defense |
|
T-A |
SCK |
INT |
FF |
R. Williams |
6-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
S. Shanle |
5-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
K. Davis |
4-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
S. Fujita |
4-2 |
1.0 |
0 |
1 |
T. Newman |
4-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
B. James |
3-2 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
K. Burnett |
2-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
T. Copper |
2-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
A. Henry |
2-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
M. Spears |
2-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
D. Ware |
2-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
C. Canty |
1-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
K. Coleman |
1-1 |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
A. Glenn |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
L. Glover |
1-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
W. Pile |
1-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
J. Reeves |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
L. Scott |
1-0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
G. Ellis |
0-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
N. Jones |
0-1 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
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Next game; Sunday December 18th, 4:15 PM in Washington against the division rival Redskins. The Redskins are still alive for a playoff spot but the Cowboys are out to avenge the early season collapse vs the Redskins and keep their playoffs hopes alive as well!
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