Saturday, November 26, 2005
Denver Broncos.......................24
Dallas Cowboys........................21
Considering the strength of the opponent and the way the team played, I can't say I'm too disappointed in Thursday's game. What this game proved to me is that they can compete with the big boys and are not that far from the top.
I was impressed with the way the 'Boys never lost their composure and fought back to tie the game three times. I think this loss will benefit this team in the long run.
Cowboys Report Card
Passing Offense: C
Bledsoe threw 44 passes, but for only a 5.3 yard average. He only completed one pass for more than 20 yards and was harrassed much of the game. His first interception was returned for a touchdown and was a poor pass. However, he stood strong in the pocket and led them to what should have been the game-winning score.
Rushing Offense: D
This was more a fault of the O-line than of the running backs. The line was unable to open up holes because they were too concerned with the Bronco blitzes.
Passing Defense: B+
On the positive side, they held Jake Plummer to only 162 yards in the air and Terrence Newman's interception was the first by Plummer in 230 passes. Additionally, they sacked him twice. On the negative side, they didn't pressure him consistently - even though they blitzed him quite a bit.
Rushing Defense: B
The Cowboys stuffed the Broncos rushing leader (Mike Anderson) all day - holding him to just 31 yards in 11 carries. However, they were burned by former-Giant reject Ron Dayne, who ran 16 yards for a score and burned the Cowboys in overtime with a 55 yard run. Take way that run, and they hold Denver to 89 yards rushing - about half of their average.
Special Teams: C
For the second week in a row, a penalty wiped out an excellent punt return by Newman. Cundiff's miss turned him from hero to goat in just one week by missing a 34-yard kick in the fourth. Mat McBriar was outstanding with a 47.6 yard average on five punt - including nailing one at the Denver 1-yard-line. Keith Davis had two very nice hits on kick coverage.
Coaching: A-
The team played hard and were well prepared for Denver. While Bledsoe threw a season-high 44 passes, Parcells stayed with the run and controlled the clock. But for just a couple of breaks, the Cowboys would have won (where has I seen this before?).
