Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Dallas Cowboys......................31
Kansas City Chiefs..................28
I didn't expect this, that's for sure. When the Chiefs took the 14-3 lead, I was all but certain that the game (and the season) were over. But when it comes to the 2005 Cowboys, nothing is certain until the final whistle.
With this victory, the Cowboy's assured themselves a non-losing season for just the second time since 1998. Also, they continue to control their own playoff destiny. However, should they lose to the Redskins Sunday in D.C. (Heaven forbid), their chances of making it to the post-season will be slim or none.
Cowboys Report Card
Passing Offense: A
There is not much more you can ask of Drew Bledsoe. His TD throw a to Jason Witten and Terry Glenn were right on the money and his audible (on the Witten TD) showed why Parcells wanted him. He is unquestionably the best passer this town has seen since Troy Aikman retired.
Rushing Offense: B
Marion Barber III is proving to be the best back on the roster. Whether it's due to his injury or not (I tend to believe it is), Julius Jones appears to have lost a step. Barber gained 82 yards on 15 carries, while Jones - once again - ran for just a 3.5 yard average. Lousaka Polite is turning into a very good blocking back and receiver as well.
Passing Defense: D-
Clearly, this was the worst game of the year for this unit. Aside from Scott Fujita's fumble recovery, there was not a lot of positives here. Too many missed tackles and blown assignments added up to allow Trent Green to pass for 340 yards. Granted, the Chief's have the 5th best defense in the NFL, but still the defense allowed just under 500 yards total. Way, way, way too much.
Rushing Defense: D+
The Cowboys had no ability to stop Larry Johnson as he ran 143 yards. In fact, this was just the third time all season that the 'Boys allowed a 100-yard rusher (Lamont Jordan and Tiki Barber). Furthermore, Johnson scored a career-high three TD's - two of which were runs were he went untouched into the endzone. However, when it counted most (in the 4th quarter), they held him to just 15 yards on 4 carries.
Special Teams: C
Dante Hall's kickoff returns allowed KC to win the battle of field position in the first half. However, after Jacques Reeves big hit on him in the 3rd quarter, he seemed to have lost a little steam. Billy Cundiff made his only field goal attempt, but had a pooch punt that went for a touchback. Matt McBriar continues to be a very underrated punter.
Coaching: B
Bill Parcells opened up the playbook and the team responded with their best offensive and poorest defensive games of the season. Given the importance of this game, Parcells had them ready and emotionally charged. The game had the personality of a playoff match-up and the offense came to life for the first time in five weeks.
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Kansas City Chiefs..................28
I didn't expect this, that's for sure. When the Chiefs took the 14-3 lead, I was all but certain that the game (and the season) were over. But when it comes to the 2005 Cowboys, nothing is certain until the final whistle.
With this victory, the Cowboy's assured themselves a non-losing season for just the second time since 1998. Also, they continue to control their own playoff destiny. However, should they lose to the Redskins Sunday in D.C. (Heaven forbid), their chances of making it to the post-season will be slim or none.
Cowboys Report Card
Passing Offense: A
There is not much more you can ask of Drew Bledsoe. His TD throw a to Jason Witten and Terry Glenn were right on the money and his audible (on the Witten TD) showed why Parcells wanted him. He is unquestionably the best passer this town has seen since Troy Aikman retired.
Rushing Offense: B
Marion Barber III is proving to be the best back on the roster. Whether it's due to his injury or not (I tend to believe it is), Julius Jones appears to have lost a step. Barber gained 82 yards on 15 carries, while Jones - once again - ran for just a 3.5 yard average. Lousaka Polite is turning into a very good blocking back and receiver as well.
Passing Defense: D-
Clearly, this was the worst game of the year for this unit. Aside from Scott Fujita's fumble recovery, there was not a lot of positives here. Too many missed tackles and blown assignments added up to allow Trent Green to pass for 340 yards. Granted, the Chief's have the 5th best defense in the NFL, but still the defense allowed just under 500 yards total. Way, way, way too much.
Rushing Defense: D+
The Cowboys had no ability to stop Larry Johnson as he ran 143 yards. In fact, this was just the third time all season that the 'Boys allowed a 100-yard rusher (Lamont Jordan and Tiki Barber). Furthermore, Johnson scored a career-high three TD's - two of which were runs were he went untouched into the endzone. However, when it counted most (in the 4th quarter), they held him to just 15 yards on 4 carries.
Special Teams: C
Dante Hall's kickoff returns allowed KC to win the battle of field position in the first half. However, after Jacques Reeves big hit on him in the 3rd quarter, he seemed to have lost a little steam. Billy Cundiff made his only field goal attempt, but had a pooch punt that went for a touchback. Matt McBriar continues to be a very underrated punter.
Coaching: B
Bill Parcells opened up the playbook and the team responded with their best offensive and poorest defensive games of the season. Given the importance of this game, Parcells had them ready and emotionally charged. The game had the personality of a playoff match-up and the offense came to life for the first time in five weeks.
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