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2011-2012 Regular Season: Cowboys Cook
Up Buffalo Burgers
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- November
17, 2011
At 1:15 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The Cowboys and their fans had every
right to expect a stampeding herd of angry Buffalo to bust their way
into Cowboys Stadium this past Sunday.
The seemingly up-and-coming Bills were badly beaten and embarrassed
– the previous week – by the same Jets team to which the Cowboys
gift-wrapped their first victory of the season.
The Bills were looking to make someone pay . . . and who better to
trample than the inconsistent and success-resistant Cowboys?
The Bills were looking for revenge – for “Romo’s Ridiculous
Recovery” from an incomprehensible five interceptions in Buffalo a
couple seasons ago . . . and who better at which to aim their
defensive aggression than Tony Turnover?
The Bills – for added measure – were looking at another rare regular
season rendezvous with Dallas as an opportunity to unload years of
pent up frustration (from fans and players alike) and avenge two
straight Super Bowl losses.
What better place to brutally buck America’s Team from a second
straight regular season win than in front of their own fans at
Cowboys Stadium?
Fantastic Flashback
“Be careful what you wish for” . . . because the Bills got it right
between their eyes and in fantastic flashback fashion.
Buffalo had no idea what hit ‘em and cooked ‘em up in such short
order . . . but they (and their fans) must have felt like they were
reliving Super Bowl XXVII.
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- The game seemed to be over almost as soon as it began . . . as the
Cowboys scored touchdowns on their first four possessions.
Fans – every last one of them – have been repeating that shock and
awe statement in their heads ever since the final gun sounded to
complete the Cowboys 44-7 blowout victory over the suddenly
no-frills Bills.
“The Cowboys scored touchdowns on their first four possessions.”
One more time for added effect: “The Cowboys scored touchdowns on
their first four possessions.”
While the Cowboys did not play the prototypically perfect game,
their effort was – indeed – about as unexpectedly well-rounded as
any fan could have imagined . . . coming from this year’s
unpredictable bunch of ‘Boys.
Tony Romo had the most efficient game of any quarterback in Cowboys
history – throwing for 270 yards on 23-26 passing . . . for three
touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Romo – prior to his powerful performance – also declared himself
completely recovered from his early-season rib injury . . . taking
zero painkilling injections and kicking his Kevlar to the curb.
Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson caught every pass thrown their way –
putting out a performance peach and catching one touchdown each.
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- DeMarco Murray delivered another dynamic domination, steadily
securing every single one of 135 rushing yards on just 20
evenly-administered carries – and another 36 yards on 6-7 catches
caught.
His early-game fumble – and fortuitously fast recovery – was the
only mistake Murray made during the decidedly one-sided contest.
Witten received his usual regimen of receptions, but his offensive
teammates were playing so well he was able to “take the day off” –
simply playing the part of Romo’s safety valve rather than his
Superman.
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- Before the offensive outburst was over, Holley hauled one in . . .
and Laurel and Hardy – err, Ogletree and Bennett – had a hand in the
action, as well, with one catch each.
While the Bill’s Fred “Action” Jackson managed over 115 yards
rushing on just 13 carries, Ryan’s Roughnecks played nearly as well
as their offensive teammates . . . forcing Fitzpatrick into a
negative hat trick – with three interceptions – and allowing only one touchdown
and forcing one fumble (which they recovered) among many stops.
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- Even Terence Newman turned back the clock – turning in two
interceptions and returning one for a touchdown.
Frank Walker – the veteran afterthought merely brought in for
emergency secondary depth so many games ago – walked the walk with an
interception of his own.
Dan Bailey continued to kick ‘em fresh daily – booting three more
field goals and making all of his extra points. While some of the
best kickers in NFL history have had ice water in their veins, Dan
must be drinking straight Freon . . . but I digress.
Mat McBriar made his mighty return to action . . . with only one
punt – but a good one, as usual.
As the Buffalo players left the field at Cowboys Stadium, they heard
a familiar refrain with a new twist. “BILLS – Boy I Love Losing (To
Last Year’s) Super (Bowl Host).”
And The Crowd Goes Wild
Fans have been desperate for consistency and winning from the
Cowboys all season long, and Dallas may be on the cusp of combining
those components . . . and straightening out the curve for the rest of
the season.
The ‘Boys beat down of the Bills brought bigger benefits than anyone
could have expected.
Fans – some but not all – have been walking around town with their
chests puffed out and believing the Bills game was the defining
moment in a season that suddenly promotes post-season potential.
While the crowd went wild, fans know better than to ratchet up their
expectations without maintaining a rational perspective about what
can still occur.
The “current statistics” may indicate the Cowboys are facing a
weaker remaining schedule than the New York Giants – who have a one
game lead over Dallas – but numbers never account for heart.
Fans may not want to hear it – again – but they have no choice. The
Cowboys may, indeed, be peeking just in time for a possible
post-season push.
If they do not take their remaining opponents seriously – matching
them with as much natural skill, creative play calling, and pure
heart as possible – they could still stink up and sink down the rest
of their season.
Fans simply – and at bare minimum – want to see the Cowboys play as
hard and smart as reasonably possible . . . whether or not such an
effort results in another blowout victory or a close win against a
determined division foe.
Fans simply – at bare minimum – want to see the Cowboys use all the
tools that come with a playoff proposal . . . rather than stumbling
like fools headed down the regular season disposal.
Fans simply – at bare minimum – do not want to see the Cowboys take
any team lightly – on any given Sunday . . . when any team can rise
from the depths of crusty play calling, poor execution, and
seemingly devastating injuries to defeat a team they have no
business beating.
Fans simply – at blazing maximum – could and would go wild again . .
. but only as long as the Cowboys keep from cutting corners.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The Cowboys come to the nation’s capitol fresh from the tremendous
high of taking down a herd of buffalo on the vast plains of Arlington . . .
Texas, that is.
It is “Dallas Week” in D.C – and I can vividly recall the venom
spewed by Redskins’ fans across the AM airwaves of John Riggins’
radio show . . . from my handful of years in the area.
The Cowboys would prefer to pay the Redskins a visit in much the
same way they paid the Bills . . . but without any of the horrible
handouts from seasons past.
Redskins’ fans will recall the last time Dallas did D.C. The Cowboys
warmed the cockles of their cold hearts with a tumultuous turnover
by Tashard Choice . . . who recently became the latest in a limping line of Redskins running backs.
Choice would love nothing more than to go from scalped Cowboy to
celebrated Skin . . . with the chance to change the challenged ways
of his feather-headed friends.
The Cowboys should not cut this new Skin any slack . . . but – in
facing a foe familiar with their formations – will they slip up and
let Choice slide by?
There is potential irony in the “Tale Of Two Tailbacks” which this
Sunday’s game may present.
Felix Jones will be returning to action in a somewhat limited role usually
reserved for Tashard Choice – in order to not upset the
fully-functioning offensive cart now led by DeMarco Murray.
Tashard will be returning to action in a somewhat unlimited
role – usually reserved for Felix – in order to round out the Redskins’ reduced roundup of offensive
options . . . but I digress.
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- Will Tashard be the right choice for
what ails the Redskins . . . with his reasonable intelligence of the
Cowboys' defense?
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- Will Felix return to the
change-of-pace role he originally held during the time of the
Barbarian . . . allowing him to function as a cat-quick homerun
hitter at any point during the game? From Marion to Murray, the scat
back quick strike happens the same way on every hike.
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- Will anyone place bets against the
Cowboys deploying DeMarco and Felix in two-back sets . . . from
which they can become simultaneous swing pass threats? Will the
Cowboys begin feeding Felix from the slot – or as some might call it
"the Herschel Walker spot" – allowing him to catch and score from
door to door?
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- With Kevin Ogletree sometimes moving
as slow as a bumblebee – and with Owusu-Ansah clearly not the answer
(who may have shown his peak after just one week) – will Felix also
be asked to prepare for takeoff on every kickoff?
T-Rex and John Beck should continue to turn back from any positive
performances as their season slowly sinks by the Sunday . . . but
will Ryan’s Roughnecks do everything they can to encourage more of
their major mishaps?
Sean Lee – the “Peyton Manning Of The Cowboys’ Linebacking Core” –
played against the Bills wearing a club-style encasement around his
dislocated wrist. Instead of having his teammates simply sign his
cast, he can get a little creative by pretending he is Mr. Han –
criminal kingpin from Bruce Lee's “Enter The Dragon” – and use different
artificial hands for different defensive packages.
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- If the refereeing crew tries to call Lee for a personal foul – for
“mishandling” a Redskins’ player – will Lee remember to unhand
himself before a booth review?
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- The Cowboys' (unofficially announced) new lead
running back may be put to his biggest test in the (undisclosed
illness) absence of fullback Tony Fiammetta. Will this mark the
return of the "Phils" – John Phillips and Phillip Tanner – to help
pave the way for DeMarco "D'Man" Murray . . . or will blocking
against a banged up Redskins defense be much adieu about nothing?
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- Will the Cowboys continue to get
good mileage out of Dez "Dynamic Baller" Bryant and Laurent "Long
Range" Robinson during Austin's continued hamstring hangover?
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- Will the Cowboys' offensive line
continue to play fine . . . preventing Brian Orakpo from reaching
Tony Romo? Does Garrett have enough faith in his renewed offensive
attack – and the ability of Witten, Bryant, and Robinson to reach
their spots on time – to avoid calling up rookie fullback Shaun
Chapas from the practice squad?
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- Will Dan Bailey be called on for
another big boot bailout of America's Team . . . or will he get to
kick back and watch while Romo and DeMarco repeatedly mow past the
Redskins on each and every goal-to-go?
The Redskins’ starting nose tackle suggested their season could get
"historically ugly" if Washington does not start changing their
ways – but will the Cowboys dare allow the Redskins any chance to
change . . . by showing up with anything less than 100% intensity?
Are the Cowboys going to allow themselves to fall for Washington’s “Puss ‘N Boots” pose or will Dallas drive over them
like so much Redskins road kill?
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- Will the Cowboys take the Redskins as seriously as the Bills – and
as seriously as you should take any long-time division rival . . .
or will Dallas allow Washington to worm its way towards an
unnecessarily close Sunday showdown?
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- Will the Cowboys miss Chris Cooley's
character-building commentary now that he is on ice for the rest of
the season? Probably not – but the Cowboys' defense will be ready
and willing next year to delivery a reception quite chilling . . .
and hit him on the spot.
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- The Cowboys would love nothing more
than to maul the Redskins’ on The Mall . . . but will they?
We shall see. We always do.
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