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Rapid Reaction: Dallas Cowboys
September, 14, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A few thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys' 26-10 win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at LP Field.
What it means: The Cowboys didn’t just need a win; they absolutely had to have a win. They had lost six straight games, dating back to last year’s season finale (preseason included) and would have been in free-fall mode with a loss to the Titans.
Instead, they corrected their course from their season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers -- perhaps temporarily -- with a game that featured a strong running game (220 yards on 43 carries), opportunistic defense (two takeaways) and terrific special-teams play. It is a simple formula to follow, but not something the Cowboys have been able to do consistently the last four years.
The win gives the Cowboys their fourth straight 1-1 start. Does this portend another 8-8 start?
Stock watch: Passing game coordinator Scott Linehan came to the Cowboys with a reputation as a pass-first playcaller after his run with the Detroit Lions. Through two games, Linehan has reverted back to his days in Minnesota when he directed a top-10 running game in the early 2000s. So good was the Dallas running game that the Cowboys were able to fill the final 6:22 without Tony Romo having to throw the ball, allowing their fans in attendance to start a “Let’s go Cowboys chant” that echoed throughout LP Field.
The money down: In the opener, the Cowboys’ defense had no answers on third down against the 49ers. The Niners converted on 7 of 12 tries and they were mostly uncontested. The Cowboys made a huge improvement Sunday, allowing just two third-down conversions on 10 tries. The Titans failed to convert a third down on six first-half tries. Tennessee’s first third-down conversion was a 61-yard touchdown pass from Jake Locker to Delanie Walker on the second drive of the third quarter, but the Cowboys were able to shut the door and effectively ended the game with a third-down pass breakup by Brandon Carr in the end zone (after a replay review) and a fourth-down stop with 6:22 to play.
Game ball:DeMarco Murray fumbled in the first quarter for the second straight game, but he was able to get past his mistake with his second straight 100-yard game. He finished with 167 yards on 29 carries and scored the Cowboys’ first touchdown. He had 115 yards on 17 carries in the first half as the Cowboys' offensive line took the wind out of the Titans. This is the third time Murray has gone for more than 100 yards in consecutive games in his career and the first since Weeks 14 and 15 last year against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys lost both of those games, but were able to get the win Sunday.
What’s next: The Cowboys travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The last time the Cowboys visited there, they were embarrassed 34-14 on Oct. 19, 2008, when Romo was missing because of a broken pinkie finger.
September, 14, 2014
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A few thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys' 26-10 win against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at LP Field.
What it means: The Cowboys didn’t just need a win; they absolutely had to have a win. They had lost six straight games, dating back to last year’s season finale (preseason included) and would have been in free-fall mode with a loss to the Titans.
Instead, they corrected their course from their season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers -- perhaps temporarily -- with a game that featured a strong running game (220 yards on 43 carries), opportunistic defense (two takeaways) and terrific special-teams play. It is a simple formula to follow, but not something the Cowboys have been able to do consistently the last four years.
The win gives the Cowboys their fourth straight 1-1 start. Does this portend another 8-8 start?
Stock watch: Passing game coordinator Scott Linehan came to the Cowboys with a reputation as a pass-first playcaller after his run with the Detroit Lions. Through two games, Linehan has reverted back to his days in Minnesota when he directed a top-10 running game in the early 2000s. So good was the Dallas running game that the Cowboys were able to fill the final 6:22 without Tony Romo having to throw the ball, allowing their fans in attendance to start a “Let’s go Cowboys chant” that echoed throughout LP Field.
The money down: In the opener, the Cowboys’ defense had no answers on third down against the 49ers. The Niners converted on 7 of 12 tries and they were mostly uncontested. The Cowboys made a huge improvement Sunday, allowing just two third-down conversions on 10 tries. The Titans failed to convert a third down on six first-half tries. Tennessee’s first third-down conversion was a 61-yard touchdown pass from Jake Locker to Delanie Walker on the second drive of the third quarter, but the Cowboys were able to shut the door and effectively ended the game with a third-down pass breakup by Brandon Carr in the end zone (after a replay review) and a fourth-down stop with 6:22 to play.
Game ball:DeMarco Murray fumbled in the first quarter for the second straight game, but he was able to get past his mistake with his second straight 100-yard game. He finished with 167 yards on 29 carries and scored the Cowboys’ first touchdown. He had 115 yards on 17 carries in the first half as the Cowboys' offensive line took the wind out of the Titans. This is the third time Murray has gone for more than 100 yards in consecutive games in his career and the first since Weeks 14 and 15 last year against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys lost both of those games, but were able to get the win Sunday.
What’s next: The Cowboys travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The last time the Cowboys visited there, they were embarrassed 34-14 on Oct. 19, 2008, when Romo was missing because of a broken pinkie finger.