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2020-2021 Regular Season: Cowboys Carved Up On
Turkey Day And Have The Virally-Victimized Ravens To Play
December 4,
2020 At 11:56 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
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Following their vibrant
victory over the Vikings, “America’s Team” had high hopes of not
performing like earlier-season dopes on Thanksgiving. “That
Washington Team” was the opponent and – for a week seven
embarrassment – the Dallas Cowboys were aiming for atonement.
There was also the unbelievable fact that 3-7 Dallas would be all
alone in (or tied for) first place in the NFC East if they could
only remain untracked. After all the injuries and many, MANY a
blunder, they had the nationally-televised chance to demonstrate
they could reasonably resist their horrible habit of tearing
themselves asunder.
Then again, with the way things had been going in the NFC Least,
discerning members of “Cowboys Nation” had to prepare themselves for
a(n eventually) ruined Thanksgiving Day feast.
Short Shots And Hot Spots
"America's Team" began their turkey day tilt seemingly-ready to
defend – with a 3rd-and-7 sack by Randy Gregory's still-fresh-legged
attack – and it appeared, to a vengeful loss, That Washington Team
they might just send.
Andy Dalton – on the Cowboys' first offensive set – was determined
to duplicate their previous week's production, going as far as
running and sliding HEAD-FIRST for a 3rd-and-12 first down (even at
the risk of another concussion) to avoid prematurely defaultin'. He
would utilize a mix of Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Tony Pollard,
and Dalton Schultz to go from his own 28 to Washington's 15. Andy
aimed to thrive on 3rd-and-5 and though Cooper beat his man, Dalton
could not stick to the plan (misfiring low on a touchdown Dallas
should have had little trouble acquiring). While “Dallas settled for
ANOTHER field goal, effectively wasting ANOTHER long drive to begin
a game,” inconceivable-yet-certainly-believable injuries to
now-right tackle Zack Martin and left tackle Cam Erving surely took
a bite out of the Cowboys’ already-questionable mental frame. Their
names would just be added to the Cowboys’ season-long, sad injury
song.
Nonetheless, the Cowboys' defense – on Washington's first offensive
set – had a chance to show they were not so dense (and that their
earlier encounter in D.C. would not be duplicated quite so easily) .
. . sort of, kind of, and – eventually – abortive?
Washington quarterback, the man, the myth, Alex "Survivor" Smith
faked the handoff to running back Antonio Gibson and egg-tossed the
ball to tight end Logan Thomas (who was headed right to launch some
trickeration into flight). He threw deep right to wide receiver
Terry McLaurin (who nabbed the 28-yard pass with relative ease, as
Cowboys safety Xavier Woods was evidently not in the mood for a
tackle so jarrin'). Just when it appeared Dallas might get off the
field after on a failed 3rd-and-4, reserve cornerback Rashard
Robinson delivered a double-negative to grant Washington another
opportunity to score. He was flagged for holding his receiver, and
he allowed a sure interception to go right through paws (just like
another of the Cowboys' consistently confused turnover retrievers).
The Cowboys – once again – appeared to have steadily-steered
Washington towards a fourth down, when cornerback Jourdan Lewis
became the latest, avoidable-penalty clown. One play later, Alex
Smith found Logan Thomas at the five, but his scoring route would
not thrive with Xavier Woods bringing a solid, form tackle. "One
play later," Antonio Gibson would hurriedly-yet-easily run it in at
the right front corner, and all (discerning) fans could do was sit
back, choke down more turkey (READ inject tryptophan into their
veins), and expectedly cackle. Though it was only 7-3, what
Washington (predictably) had up their sleeve would increasingly
expose a season-long peeve.
The Cowboys' second offensive possession – however – would leave
quite a positive-if-only-temporary impression. Andy and Co. – with
1:35 remaining in the first quarter – would rather quickly reset the
order. Dalton would find Cooper on the right sideline for the
reliable 10-yard pickup. Later in the drive, on 3rd-and-1, "The
Overachieving Wall Of Dallas" could not get it done, and it appeared
backup running back Tony Pollard might suffer a backfield hiccup.
And yet, he easily pivoted away from certain doom – with Dalton (in
the tiniest way possible) making room – and Pollard JUST made it
past the right sideline marker at maximum vroom. "One play later,"
Andy would loft the ball (slightly-underthrown but unworthy of a
groan) down the right sideline to Amari Cooper, who slowed just a
bit to capture it and easily outrun his defender to the end zone.
The 54-yard connection was otherwise super. The score was 10-7 but
never again would the Cowboys offensive engine get more than
momentarily revvin'.
That Washington Team was feeling so frisky that – on 2nd-and-5 from
the Cowboys' 16 at the second quarter mark of 8:50 – they decided to
run a fumblerooski. Washington's entire offensive line (along with
tight end Logan Thomas and wide receiver Cam Sims) – except for
their center – was in a strangely upright position. Quarterback Alex
Smith (behind center), as well as running backs Antonio Gibson (five
yards deep) and J.D. McKissic (oddly behind the right guard) were
ready and set. Smith suddenly hopped behind McKissic, like a
fourth-string QB blowing his audition. Smith and Gibson (an
empty-handed threat) then ran right (with at least FIVE Dallas
DUHfenders heading their direction), while McKissic and the rest of
the Washington front finished the first down achieving stunt. Dallas
would force Washington’s red zone effort to stall and settle for
three – making the contest 10-ALL – but Mike Nolan’s squad would
eventually succumb to a spree.
Dallas would quickly turn the ball over on downs (largely from
executing like mistake-marred clowns). And Washington would just as
quickly use passes to McKissic and Logan Thomas to deliver on second
red zone promise. The score was 17-10 with less than 30 seconds to
go before the two-minute warning.
Dalton and Co. – with just under 2:30 remaining in the first half –
would get another chance to tie the game or struggle with poor play
execution, err, more ants in their pants. Starting from their own
25, they would undergo another productive 20-to-20 drive. Quick
shots to CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup would get Dallas to
midfield, and a 4th-and-1 Dalton keeper would get them half-a-yard
closer to their desired scoring yield. And having not forgotten how
badly Amari Cooper had burned cornerback Ronald Darby earlier in the
game, Dalton reared back and fired deep for more of the same
(catching an already-defeated Darby in pass interference
particularly lame). "And THEN" – on 3rd-and-5 from the Washington 15
– the Cowboys returned to their red zone troubles with zero
successful blocking on a failed Gallup screen. Another Zuerlein
field goal would make the halftime score 17-13. The Cowboys – for
their latest injuries and all their mistakes – were still very much
in the game, if they could just keep their execution clean and
create their own breaks.
And yet THAT is so often the problem with "if they could just,"
because more mental errors cause quality opportunities to go bust.
Dallas began the second half with the ball but - within the first
minute on 2nd-and-4 with Ezekiel Elliott straining for more - he (drumroll,
please) would fumble, causing another avoidable offensive stumble.
His effort and hustle were not in question, but his last-second dive
– once again – required better pigskin protection.
Washington – minutes later – had a 3rd-and-1 at the Dallas 13 with
the prospect of another defensive stop appearing lean. DeMarcus
"Neutral Zone Infraction" Lawrence miraculously shot the gap without
his usual penalty crap, and caught Alex Smith for about an
eight-yard sack. YES, Yes, yes, when the entire officiating crew
could not see his obvious penalty so clearly, there was no going
back. The score would become 20-13 with another Washington field
goal (and Dallas still, STILL in but a seven-point hole).
After a Cowboys punt, Alex Smith's field of vision suddenly became
blunt. He took the shotgun snap with 4:21 remaining in the third
quarter on 3rd-and-10 from the 50 and – with the Dallas d-line comin'
aggressively – he tried to throw it away. "But, BUT" none other than
lurking linebacker Jaylon Smith (clearly hidden behind a Washington
offensive lineman) made the interception play and seemed well on his
way towards making up the touchdown diff forthwith. "If, IF" fellow
linebacker Leighton Vander Esch had given Washington pursuer J.D.
McKissic more of a(n absolutely legal) sideways push out of bounds,
then jammin’ Jaylon would have been making the celebratory scoring
rounds. McKissic – alas – would narrowly-catch his [butt] at the
Washington four. Dalton and Co. (save for a CeeDee Lamb end zone
drop on 3rd-and-goal) were unable to do more (from play-call
solution to better execution). ANOTHER Zuerlein field goal would
reduce Washington's lead to four . . . with nothing further in
store.
Just a few minutes into the fourth quarter, the Cowboys were on the
tail end of another three-and-out. Mike McCarthy – perhaps
determined to show he remained "risk" worthy – called for Cedrick
Wilson to perform some special teams magic on a fake punt, but
Washington failed to fall for that stunt. Wilson took too deep an
arc to avoid to avoid Washington tacklers with so much poor blocking
in front. Just seconds later, running back Antonio Gibson would run
through a mammoth, left-side gap (with the "Smith Brothers, Jaylon
and Aldon, suffering a collective mental trap). Gibson – on his way
into the end zone – would give late-pursuing safety Donovan Wilson a
mocking wave (and surely convey other kinds of crap). Past that
point – with a 27-16 score – Dallas was just trying to look as if
they belonged in their own joint, rather than being brutalized out
the door.
The Cowboys – unable to claim a share of the NFC East lead and a
winning seat at the Thanksgiving Day table – would begin to collapse
seconds later with another Gibson getaway for a touchdown (among so
many a tackling clown). Before the ink could dry on the 34-16 score,
Washington would happily come back for more. Andy Dalton – with
Washington defensive end Montez Sweat practically in his face –
would attempt a right-side pass to Dalton Schultz without so much as
a single pump-fake. One tipped-toss-turned-interception later, and a
self-serving Sweat would keep up the scoring pace with his own
touchdown break.
That Washington Team would win 41-16. Though America’s Team –
regardless of losing both of their starting tackles – was remarkably
still within striking distance until very late in the fourth
quarter, they simply could not keep their plays clean nor their
execution in order.
Not only was Washington’s week seven victory suddenly validated –
especially against an upright Andy Dalton no longer feeling
ventilated – they also hold the season series tie-breaker (should
the Cowboys miraculously get themselves together in time to be a
late-season factor).
Misery Loves Injury
The loss of key staring personnel is never received too well, but –
in the “unplanned” absence of Zack Martin and Cam Erving – “only,
ONLY” mental mistakes rather than physical failures were
particularly unnerving. The salary cap era has rarely allowed teams
to consistently enjoy substantial depth at a time when starters
(understandably) command the most financial space. While a
win-first, big-money-second veteran (like the opportunity-thirsty Aldon Smith) comes around every-so-often to artificially make the
cap soften, the answer to developing that always-valuable depth
remains almost entirely up to the best TEACHING coaches and most
pliable game day approaches to help injury-plagued rosters make a
timely about-face.
Head coach Mike McCarthy’s much-lauded skill of generating a sweet
tart from a bitter pill has thus-far not demonstrated the expected
capability of properly-polishing the Cowboys’ star. Defensive
coordinator Mike Nolan’s much-acknowledged attempt to run a complex
(and since-simplified) hybrid 4-3 / 3-4, turnover-focused scheme has
been met with plenty of contempt. More than a few players – on both
sides of the ball who are consistently, mentally, and physically
failing in their individual assignments – are, of course, not
exempt.
“The Tortured Cowboys Fan” has routinely been fond of quoting the
great Bill “The Big Tuna” Parcells. If you “fit the system to the
players, rather than the players to the system,” your desired result
rarely smells. While McCarthy has (selectively but not stupidly)
called out (some but not all of) the errors that make a
reasonably-good play design quickly decline, he, Kellen Moore, and
Nolan (for as long as he is irritatingly allowed to continue
coordinating) must modify – again and again and again – to maximize
their available player supply.-
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Never Understated Nor Debated
Markus Paul – the strength and conditioning coordinator for the
Dallas Cowboys – passed away, reportedly just 24 hours prior to
Thanksgiving Day. The five-time Super Bowl champion (as a coach) –
by all accounts (and there have been significant amounts) – was
enjoyed and respected by everyone with whom he worked and beyond
reproach. His sudden passing – allegedly caused by a stroke – was
not going to conveniently evaporate like smoke. The entire team –
already dealing with a season's worth of challenges with still five
games to play – undoubtedly performed with a collectively-heavy
heart on Thursday.
The last time – for the Dallas Cowboys – that such an in-season
tragedy occurred (from fading memories somewhat blurred) was on
December 8, 2012. Practice Squad linebacker Jerry Brown was the
victim of an automobile accident (where the driver was friend and
former Cowboys backup defensive tackle Josh Brent, further details
into which we need not delve). Suffice to say, the team was
understandably bent on that day.
Yes, the players and coaches have a high-priced job to do, but life
happens TO them just as it does to The Tortured Cowboys Fan
and you.
Will They Or Won't They?
America’s Team heads to Baltimore where the Ravens have struggled
through poor offensive performances and (at same time) four
different strains of COVID-19. Still, as they, too, have in their
possession the running game kryptonite that sets Dallas defenders
alight, perhaps the Cowboys (in a private moment of honesty) are not
entirely keen.
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The Cowboys will, however, be treated to a gone-but-never-forgotten
familiar face who (far more often than not) honored the beloved “88”
with plenty of substance, style, and grace. None other than Desmond
Demond Bryant has officially returned to the NFL fold, excited and
determined as ever that he can still play bold (and occasionally –
especially against the Cowboys’ secondary – look like gold).
Will Dallas Cowboys defenders be able to survive an
expectedly-potent Baltimore ground attack and (further) limit the
anemic aerial action of Lamar Jackson, their star quarterback?
Will Dalton and Co. be able to provide and FINISH more than one
error-free drive for a better chance to thrive? Will McCarthy and
Moore be able to scheme Zeke and Pollard free after a turkey day on
which they collectively failed so miserably . . . or will Baltimore
also dine on the Cowboys’ further decimated o-line?
While the (now) 3-8 Cowboys should, SHOULD only focus on what is
next on their schedule, will a Daniel-Jones-less New York Giants
team and struggling Philadelphia Eagles squad do their collective
part in keeping Dallas in the division title running, no matter how
inconceivable?
Will Dallas leave Baltimore victorious and closer to the number six
draft position, or will they return to number four following another
“delightful” display of performance attrition?
We shall see. We always do.
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