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2020-2021 Regular Season: Cowboys Turn Ascending
Philly Into Willy Nilly And Travel To The Meadowlands With Potential
Postseason Plans
January 1,
2021 At 11:22 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
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“America’s Team” might have been hosting, but the visiting
Philadelphia Eagles (with an offense reignited by a rookie
quarterback who has delighted) were determined to stop the Cowboys
from boasting (over removing Philly from any remaining chance of
possibly participating in the NFL postseason dance).
The crucial game began with Philadelphia on offense (with
somewhat-surprising compliance from Mike Nolan's newly-minted
"Turnover Tyrants"). The Eagles' rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts and
veteran running back Miles Sanders were taking turns ground game
gashing a Dallas defense that even the most cynical of fans and
prognosticators believed would be a bit more wary of another,
potential, Lamar-Jackson-like thrashing.
Hurts – with just over nine minutes remaining in the first quarter
(as he was making the escapist rounds) – would reach the Dallas
4-yard line and narrowly step out of bounds. One play later on
3rd-and-goal, Miles Sanders would evade the Cowboys' hounds –
heading right but cutting left for a touchdown heft – to put Dallas
in a 7-0 hole.
Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton and Co. – with their first chance to
deploy their offensive attack (against an Eagles secondary
deficiently-scary) – wasted no time in applying a deep ball smack.
Dalton – on 1st-and-10 from his own 25 – would take the shotgun snap
and fake the handoff to Ezekiel Elliott heading left while he,
himself, would head right as if to gently jog a lap. Dalton stopped
and popped just past the right hashmark, vaulting his javelin launch
to the left where a wide-open Amari Cooper would easily make the
35-yard catch (and – if need be – even in the dark). That reception
appeared to be a sign of things to come and – against two trailing
defenders (safety Marcus Epps and cornerback Darius Slay) – it
looked like theft, but Philadelphia would seemingly be made to pay.
Soon after a defensive pass interference call – on a deep Dalton
pass to Michael Gallup – to get Dallas to the Philly 13, the
Cowboys' second offensive possession would stall after a nine-yard
sack by Eagles defensive lineman Vinny Curry (who – after disposing
of left tackle Brandon Knight and swatting aside a helping Zeke
Elliott – would break through clean). Dalton would have one more
chance, but an overthrown lob to running back Tony Pollard towards
the back-left corner of the end zone was (perhaps) an opportunity
blown. As has been a familiar first-series theme for America's Team,
they "settled for a Greg Zuerlein field goal" to lessen their
early-game hole.
The value of a consistent(ly successful) kicker – as a brief mental
detour – will NEVER be lost on "The Tortured Cowboys Fan," with
still-fresh memories of so, sooo much Brett Maher manure. Still,
STILL, success in today's NFL requires more of a matching of
touchdowns with touchdowns rather than field goals to touchdowns,
but let us not digress.
Upon getting the ball back, Hurts would make it rain with some
familiar deep ball pain. Hurts would receive the shotgun snap from
his own 19, and he would roll right (seemingly exposed to one Jaylon
Smith's incoming flight). None other than speedy veteran wide
receiver DeSean Jackson (historically too injury-prone to remain
consistently in action) had – surprise, surprise – blown past
Chidobe Awuzie (who has had consistent trouble catching flies).
Jackson (once in receipt of Hurts' heave) was already several steps
ahead (you best believe), and Awuzie's last-second leap (with rookie
Travon Diggs helplessly trailing) would not prevent Jackson from
putting a tremendous, 81-yard touchdown catch to bed.
"Zounds! Will there be no end to these touchdown-scoring sounds?!"
fans would understandably plead (with some of them distinctly
recalling how often Donovan-McNabb-to-DeSean-Jackson made the
Cowboys bleed). DeSean would do Dallas no dipstick favors as his
kindergarten-quality flip over the goal line was not followed by
another (infamous) dropping of the rock (on which fortuitous,
thankful defenders might otherwise dine). The score was 14-3 and –
it appeared – that one team was appropriately amped while the other
one was critically (but 2020-convincingly) cramped.
The Cowboys would get the ball back for a second crack and –
following a fan-fretful punt – it appeared Dallas would only fall
further (and finally?) behind in NFC Least hunt.
Dalton and Co. – with just over 1.5 minutes remaining in the first
quarter from their own 38 on 3rd-and-9 – would begin an energetic
10-play drive to come alive. Dalton would convert a frozen rope to
CeeDee Lamb, a screen pass to Blake Bell, a quick outlet followed by
a swing pass both to Zeke. And then, "AND THEN" – on 2nd-and-3 from
the Eagles' 21 at their 10th-play peak – Dalton would find Michael
Gallup on an intermediate skinny post, where three-converging
defenders he would roast on his way towards a touchdown toast. The
score was 14-10, and the Dallas CowBOYS were starting to look like
serious MEN.
The Cowboys would force an Eagles punt soon thereafter and – on the
strength of a 55-yard screen pass Dalton would dial up to Gallup –
Dallas would close the difference to a 14-13 gap with another
Zuerlein tap.
The Eagles would quickly drive back downfield but – try as they
might during such a critical fight – could only achieve a
three-point yield. THAT very moment was almost akin to the
all-important hallway scene from “The Matrix.” Philadelphia’s reborn
offense (powered by Jalen “Dual Threat” Hurts) slowed to a red zone
crawl once Neo, err, Mike Nolan determined the appropriate play-call
fix (putting an end to the Eagles’ early-game scoring haul).
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Dalton and Co. had just 1:26 remaining in the half on 1st-and-10
from their own 36, but would Kellen Moore be tempted to use one of
his too-cute tricks? A short pass up the middle to Pollard. A deep
pass over the middle to Dalton Schultz before he would be
punishingly collared. Another short shot to CeeDee Lamb up the
middle. Then, with but 23 seconds remaining (and the anticipation of
anxious fans straining), Dalton would take the shotgun snap, survey
his choices and – upon hearing heavy-breathing "pocket collapsing
voices" – strafe left, before finding Michael Gallup at the Eagles'
7 for the sideline tip-toe heft. Only 16 ticks were left on the
clock, but Dalton would go right back to Michael Gallup on a
back-shoulder fade. The end zone catch was sharp as a blade and a
touchdown lock. The Cowboys would lead 20-17 and – while that result
would merely BEGIN a stretch of 24 unanswered points – Dallas would
not need any of them, as Nolan's squad would make the extra effort
(with more takeaways on key late-game plays) to keep the mood serene
in Jerry’s joint.
The Dallas Cowboys would defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 37-17. It
was a victory that has gotten Dallas that much closer to a
tournament ticket about which they and (some but not all of) Cowboys
Nation are particularly keen.
Short Shots And Hot Spots
While Dallas – to begin the game – would suffer the familiar, slow
start that has frequently plagued both Dalton- AND Dak-led offenses
since as far back as 2017, they recovered nicely to keep their
desperately-needed win neat and relatively clean.
“Relatively? RELATIVELY CLEAN? Hey, buddy, I don’t know if you’ve
noticed, but the Cowboys – once again – were playing with half a
team, for all the players they keep losing between injury and
COVID-19!” you insist (conveniently or emotionally sidestepping The
Tortured Cowboys Fan’s gist). Though it remains absolutely,
inarguably true that Dallas has had to deal with an unholy amount of
roster upheaval this season, it is also completely true that their
remaining opponent(s) may not be without their own version of a key
defensive tackle that made THIS particular victory so pleasin’.
Dalton and Co. do not (GASP) deserve the same level of credit – for
finally figuring out what to do – during their second quarter
awakening as does Nolan’s still, STILL much-maligned defensive crew.
Dalton and Co. experienced their increase in red zone productivity
right about the same time (late in the second quarter) that Eagles
defensive tackle Fletcher Cox left the field with a debilitating
stinger (which – at the very least – helped Dallas reset the scoring
order). Even star running back Ezekiel Elliott (who looked as close
to 2016 Zeke as he had all year) had but a paltry 25 rushing yards
in the first half before ultimately reaching his downhill, punishing
105-yard total (especially with 31-yard, late-game beatdown that
allowed coaches, teammates, and fans alike to enjoy a
comfortably-ahead laugh).
“What, WHAT is your point, hater?!” you spew (while understandably
miffed over not being allowed to potentially pretend and certainly
enjoy what is not entirely true). YES, Yes, yes, Andy Dalton threw
for nearly 400 yards, three touchdowns, and but one interception
behind an offensive line that really needs NO introduction. YES,
Yes, yes, Michael Gallup blew up like everyone knew he could (if
merely prioritized to bring the highwire, pass-catching wood). YES,
Yes, yes, Amari Cooper was also a LONG catch-collecting trooper.
YES, Yes, yes, CeeDee Lamb rounded out the Cowboys’ aerial assault
with his own conquering catch and touchdown to proudly dispatch.
YES, Yes, yes, even Mike Nolan’s browbeaten defense squad offered up
TWO MORE interceptions and THREE sacks of the Eagles’ latest,
multifaceted, Michael-Vick-esque lightning rod. YES, Yes, yes, 1.5
of those sacks were by Randy Gregory (a steadily-improving
edge-rushing dandy).
Still, STILL, fans must temper their collective expectation about a
team that – by this weekend – may still find itself on season-ending
vacation (with another lost season gone around the bend). One broken
team (in the Cowboys) outflanking another broken team (in the
Eagles) does not guarantee the survivor, err, victor suddenly being
able to apply a similar spanking beyond their final regular season,
equally-damaged opponent (even as they seemingly continue – on a
THREE-GAME winning streak – to pick up steam). Fans deserve all the
enjoyment the Cowboys can squeeze from their sub-.500 existence, but
certain performance facts may continue to reign supreme no matter
ANY contrary insistence.
Misery Loves Injury
Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods – who injured his ankle during the
Cowboys’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers and unavailable for
their win over Philly – was placed on short-term injured reserve.
Time – and critical the results of Sunday’s games – will tell if
perhaps Woods will receive a postseason opportunity to break the
quick-recovery curve.
Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch remains out with his own
similarly-gimpy wheel. He, too, will only know how aggressively he
should “hope to heal” following Dallas’ attempt to seal the NFC East
deal.
There is a rumor, a suggestion, a possibility that right tackle /
guard Zack “Pfft! It Ain’t Hard” Martin will attempt to return to
action – after weeks in calf-injury traction – against the Giants to
help the Dallas Cowboys turn their last game of the regular season
into a division title so vital (with maximum defiance). “If, IF”
Dallas can both win their game in the Meadowlands “and, And, AND”
watch the Eagles defeat “That Washington Team,” then, his safe and
productive return for a playoff run (however short-lived?) could be
a believable theme.
Defensive tackle Justin Hamilton and safety Darian Thompson will
also be absent for the Cowboys' final regular season game (as they
both pulled up COVID-19 lame). While it is unclear if they were
sloppy in their use of personal protective equipment, they will
surely (?) feel shame over their potential game day performance
impingement. It is not like defensive tackle and safety are the
worst possible roles at which Dallas could afford additional holes.
Nope. Not a chance (after a quick, hysterical glance).
Good Quote Or Garbage Bloat?
“We looked totally different today than we did two months ago.” –
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (with a – but not THE –
understatement of the season that, of their preseason goals,
America’s Team has finally begun to remotely prove a bit more
worthy).
"I thought when we drafted [defensive end Randy Gregory], he was the
best pass-rusher in the draft. And that’s why [WE] took the risk on
him that [WE] took. But it was a risk at the time, and we paid for
that (two-year NFL suspension) risk. Randy will be the first to tell
you. And now it’s paying off for us." – GM Jerry to 105.3 FM The Fan
(impressing upon everyone listening of the need – with Gregory's
game day impact – for a more aggressive plan that leaves fewer and
fewer opposing quarterbacks intact).
"Everything we do in this game is about how you finish. Whether it’s
a play, a practice, it’s no different. Finish the right way. That’s
really where my mindset is. We want to finish this regular season
and, hopefully, we have the opportunity to continue (into the
playoffs). But this is all about finishing the guaranteed
opportunities, especially against a division opponent. These games
(even during seasons when everything is going right) are usually the
hardest." – Mike McCarthy (sounding every bit the head coach who
wants very much to avoid a Garrett-like finish by ensuring the
Cowboys play their darndest).
"There's a time when [the desired amount of contract money is] too
much, but I'm a big fan of Dak. As I've said many times, and we've
seen the quarterback that got released in Washington, and we've seen
those types of situations over the years. And I think when you start
handing out money and you start talking about franchise
quarterbacks, yes, the play on the field is where it begins, but
there's more that factors into that, more so than any other
positions. These guys that are quarterbacks are the face of your
franchise. They're the CEOs of your franchise. They have to be the
ones who really establish the culture and the accountability within
the football team. And if you don't have the right guy in that role,
then I think you're really going to struggle as an organization, and
Dak checks every box in my opinion. And, so, that's why I've said
for the last couple of years that I wouldn't hesitate at all to pay
him." – Former Dallas Cowboys star quarterback and current “NFL On
Fox” color commentator Troy Aikman to 105.3 FM The Fan (confirming
his belief that Dak Prescott’s maturity and TEAM leadership are far
more important than the potentially
more-solved-than-not accuracy
issues he would actively pan).
Will They Or Won't They?
After all the Dallas Cowboys have been (and put themselves) through,
Cowboys Nation will have the unimagined opportunity to watch
America’s Team (at the very least) close out their 2020 season with
an-expected-but-not-inevitable victory and (at most) potentially be
crowned winners of the NFC East.
Will the Cowboys be able to make up for ALL their self-destructive,
early-season mistakes and seemingly create the most-impossible of
division-winning, playoff-entry breaks?
Will the Eagles – with too many starters to count being (wickedly?)
told to dismount – still, STILL manage to pull off an upset of That
Washington Team (even if it – GAG – means helping to fulfill the
first leg of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2020 dream)?
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Will the Cowboys bring with them to MetLife Stadium the correct
amount of respect, or will their (good) chances of defeating the
equally-battered New York Giants suffer from too much (pompous)
mental neglect?
Will the Cowboys overcome Jason Garrett’s final opportunity (this
year?) to demonstrate that it was THE PLAYERS (who survived his
Dallas exit) rather than HE himself who deserved so much (over so
many years) of the final-game-failure scrutiny?
Will Cowboys Nation be late-afternoon celebrating, poor-performance
implicating, Eagles-players-hating (even more than fans are usually
stating), or full-on free agency and draft day debating?
We shall see. We always do.
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