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2014-2015 Regular Season: Shocks
To The Hawks And What To Do Against Big Blue
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- October 19,
2014
At 11:21 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- Cowboys Nation – for much of the
week leading up to THE test against the best in the Great Northwest
– was rather conflicted.
The Dallas Cowboys would become only the second team this season to
make the Seattle Seahawks feel restricted . . . or from their four
game win streak would “America’s Team” be suddenly evicted.
Fan memories of the Cowboys’ last visit to Seattle – in 2012 – were
of a brutally one-sided 27-7 battle. There was plenty of impossible
crowd noise which blended so nicely with (horrific and imbecilic)
mental mistakes by the ‘Boys.
It had been two and a half years since Dallas experienced that
miserable ground and pound near Puget Sound.
Would the Cowboys convert early season success and lessons learned
into a major crossroads victory and more confidence earned – or
would they suddenly crumble and bumble their way to getting spurned?
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- Many – from prognosticators to fans
– did not have a Cowboys win in their fantasy football plans. Bets
were made and debts would be dearly paid.
Past Does Not Last
The Cowboys – and their fans – have been haunted by the better part
of an 18 year-old tree of mediocrity laced with a few playoff
opportunities that were collectively less than a blast.
This season must end with a Dallas return to “The Tournament” –
before too many fans are willing to view the Cowboys’
current-and-surprising success as any more than another tree
ornament . . . with a wary eye towards the past.
The Cowboys fifth consecutive victory continues – for now – to prove
the past does not last.
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- The Cowboys not only outlasted the Seahawks in their stunning 30-23
win – they generally dominated the battle-tested birds in their own
noisy nest in almost every facet of the game . . . except for
abysmal special teams kick coverage that wound up in the postgame garbage
bin.
Dallas showed uncommonly thick skin in absorbing a
blocked-punt-turned-touchdown – as well as a
muffed-punt-turned-field-goal and a center snap flap within their
red zone – against the current wearers of the NFL crown.
When it came to Seattle’s quarterback Wilson, the Dallas defense
showed all hustle in hassling Russell. He was unable to get any
traction on play action. While he was able to score a short-yardage
touchdown with the read option, the Seahawks’ offense unable to
expand on that effort . . . suffering from poor adoption.
When it came to Seattle’s “from anywhere” scoring threat – Harvin –
Marinelli’s Men showed no mercy towards Percy . . . in keeping him
on an unproductive leash like a household pet.
When it came to Marshawn Lynch, he was limited to 60 rushing yards .
. . by a defensive unit who (without Big Bad Bruce Carter) made it
look like a cinch. Seattle petered out at 80 yards, and another
positively punishing performance by “Beast Mode” was simply not in
the cards.
While the primary concern – heading into Seattle – was that
Marinelli’s Men would look like milling cattle . . . the secondary
fear was of the “Han Clan” being exposed as less than prepared for
their biggest battle.
The Seahawks’ defense - the “Legion of Boom” – prides itself on
allowing ZERO breathing room . . . but the Han Clan came prepared
with a familiar, balanced offensive plan:
1) “The Hans” – Linehan and Callahan – relay the collective plays
from the sideline.
2) Tony Romo makes the call to determine the delivery of the ball –
whether up in the air to a stable of thoroughbred receivers – or
down on the ground to this year’s leading rusher for the long,
brutal haul.
3) Travis “Fred Flintstone” Frederick sets the assignments for the
offensive line to function just fine.
4) If everyone can reasonably execute, the defensive response is
moot.
Seattle’s defense put up a fight but – with the Han Clan controlling
the clock and executing just right – Seattle was done for the night.
Contrary to the how close the final score looked, Seattle’s goose –
statistically – was cooked.
The Han Clan spent their latest game dictating the tempo – playing a
consistent run-and-pass rope-a-dope . . . with which the Legion of
Boom ultimately could not cope.
Second year tight end Gavin Escobar – who is still removing his
rookie plastic wrap – caught Seattle’s defense taking a nap . . .
during a touchdown pass from Romo which did not require him to go
very far. Veteran and team leader Jason Witten caught just one more
pass than his understudy but added another touchdown grab to fit
right in.
While DeMarco Murray initially had a tough road to hoe, he was
ultimately able to get up and go. He was rather Emmitt-esque towards
the end of another 100+ yard rushing day . . . with “Fred’s
Blockheads” paving the way. Murray did suffer another first half
fumble that luckily want right out of bounds . . . or his name – and
familiar fumblitis – might have been making the sports news rounds.
Dez Bryant was targeted for ten tosses by Tony and connected on only
four . . . but each was well-earned against Richard “Shut Down”
Sherman and absolutely critical towards showing Seattle the door.
Terrance Williams hauled in another deep (47-yard) pass with quiet
class. He also looked just fine towing the line while making a great
catch on a pressured 3rd down and 20 throw by Romo . . . who pulled
yet ANOTHER Houdini before letting it go.
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- And when they needed him most, Dan
Bailey was the toast of the Great Northwest coast . . . nailing a
final field goal that created for Seattle too deep a hole.
When the end of regulation was drawing near – and the chance of
Seattle’s tying score remained a real fear – Rolando “Middle Man”
McClain sealed the victory with an interception of Russell Wilson
over the deep middle . . . proving his injury was manageable and
looking fit as a fiddle.
This critical victory brought shocks to the ‘Hawks and their
expectant fan flocks.
Immaturity Ain’t Pretty
On game day, he was the ever-improving second year running back who
spelled DeMarco Murray with a handful of touches and a timely
38-yard run in Seattle. He was the one, the only: Joseph Randle.
The next day, he was a person – with a $465,000 salary – who was
arrested for shoplifting at Dillard’s department store in Frisco
(Texas) . . . thinking it was ok to collect some cologne, bag some
briefs, and – without paying a cent – just get up and go. He was the
one, the only: “Scented Underwear Vandal”.
The Cowboys are not (yet) good enough to withstand the prolonged
absence of someone as promising as young Joseph . . . but a Curvin
Richards moment would show any other team members that enough
was-and-continues-to-be enough.
The Cowboys have been uncommonly lucky in their ability to – at
least publicly – steer clear of the not-so-minimal criminal issues
currently haunting the league. The press would absolutely LOVE for
America’s Team to grow that horrible mess and increase NFL sponsor
fatigue.
Jason Garrett promised a “significant” fine for Randle, he would not
suspend him for the upcoming home game against the New York Giants .
. . no matter the potential for a department store scandal.
While the Dallas Cowboys are enjoying such unexpected (yet seemingly
sustainable) prosperity . . . they have no choice but to remain
guarded – as pockets of problematic personnel remain and their
immaturity ain’t pretty.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The New York Giants limp into AT&T Stadium – after getting
demolished by a Philadelphia Eagles squad not so entirely polished .
. . and happy to get away from so many of their own groaning fans
hating ‘em.
This game is just the kind of contest the Giants need (and have used
in the past) to spark them towards performing at their best.
Most teams see a desperate opponent a mile away before ever reaching
game day . . . and most teams would know what to do against Big
Blue.
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- The Giants are counting on the Cowboys overlooking this trap . . .
and allowing New York to apply a powerful, back-to-reality slap.
The Giants can be counted on to make every inhuman effort to cause
the Cowboys a confidence leak and stop their winning streak.
The Cowboys – no matter their (rare) good health or reasonable
talent wealth – always seem to give themselves just enough rope . .
. to give the Giants hope.
The Cowboys have yet to play an NFC East game . . . and a victory
against the Giants would be a nice start towards another potential
division crown to frame.
Will the Han Clan be able to continue their line domination – with
Jermey Parnell plugging in for Doug Free – or will the Giant
defensive line create sudden indigestion for Cowboys Nation?
Will DeMarco Murray blast the Giants early and often . . . forcing
the expectedly worked-up and desperate Giants to sufficiently
soften?
Will Marinelli’s Men bring the rotating heat to Eli Manning . . .
ensuring secondary success with the defensive attack they have been
planning?
Will these Cowboys show these wounded Giants the proper respect . .
. so that upon an unexpected victory New York NEVER gets the chance
to reflect?
We shall see. We always do.
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