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2021-2022 Regular Season:
Cowboys Brutally
Bucked By The Broncos With The Falcons Flying (Potentially Or Most
Assuredly?) Into A Furious Fire Hose
November 12,
2021 At 11:42 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf-
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“America’s Team” were on quite a roll (enjoying an unexpected but
increasingly-believable six-game winning streak in which they were
largely in control). Sure, the Dallas Cowboys demonstrated a routine
inability to put up a 60-minute fight, but they kept finding
solutions to finish each of those victories alright. Sure, the
Cowboys were equal parts provocateur and prey when it came to
allowing officials to hold (too much) sway, but they still, STILL
manufactured enough of a winning way. Sure, Big-D even managed to
maintain their make-it-happen edge (in the one-game absence of THE
leader to whom the entire team has made a solemn,
follow-him-into-battle pledge).
The Dallas Cowboys of the past quarter century (with rare exception
by “That Announcer Guy” who flashed unpredictable invention)
consistently showed an opposite ability. Many of those prior teams
convinced even some of the most patient members of “Cowboys Nation”
they were better off waiting for early-onset senility.
A Pain Down Memory Lane
And yet it was not SO long ago that
Dallas last hosted the Denver
Broncos to combine for one of the greatest of scoring shows. None
other than Hall Of Famer and two-time Super-Bowl-winning quarterback
Peyton Manning and the John Fox-led Broncos paid a visit to “Jerry
World” in 2013. It was hoped that then-Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo
could keep the contest offensively entertaining (with the
“reasonable” expectation that Manning and the high-powered Broncos’
offense – against Rod Marinelli’s defense – were going to be
downright mean). Dallas would narrowly lose 51-48, Romo would go
(literally) toe-to-toe with Manning, and even Rod Marinelli’s
defense would put up an early fight before eventually, predictably
fanning.
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Fast forward to 2017, and
it was a road game at Mile High Stadium
over which current Cowboys star quarterback Dak Prescott and his
team would be particularly keen. While there was no Manning over
which the Cowboys had to be feverishly planning, there was
third-year quarterback Trevor “Not A Monkey” Siemian, a still-potent
set of weapons on both offense and defense. The Broncos would
undeniably dress Dallas down 42-17 – in every phase and in so many
ways – leaving the Cowboys with plenty of mental dents.
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YES, Yes,
yes, star running back Ezekiel Elliott delivered a pathetic EIGHT
yards rushing (while clearly worrying about an oncoming six-game
suspension that he and everyone in the organization was hushing).
YES, Yes, yes, “The Great Wall” could only encourage Prescott to
haul (during only the handful of plays in which he was not insisting
on standing tall). Other than 10 catches for almost 100 yards by
then-Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, the rest of the team seemed
competitively snake-bitten. It was no contest and only over “(Denver)
dominance versus (Dallas) dunce” would even the most myopic of fans
dare to protest.
Unassailable If Unavailable?
“Ha HA! The Denver Broncos are done before they have even place one
hoof inside AT&T Stadium! They gave away their ONE stud linebacker
Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams at the NFL trade deadline!” so
many (surely inebriated?) fans hilariously hollered (convinced that
a returning-to-action Prescott and Co. were going to absolutely dine
and not even remotely be collared).
YES, Yes, yes, Dak Prescott was returning from a calf strain that
could have left the Cowboys seriously burning.
YES, Yes, yes, left offensive tackle Tyron Smith was ruled out with
osteoarthritis (bone-on-bone degradation) in his left ankle (and
creating an oh-too-familiar, remainder-of-the-season, pain
management plan to hopefully limit how much his absence may rankle).
YES, Yes, yes, wide receiver Amari Cooper was playing through his
own nagging right hamstring injury. Fans who still remember former
Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin know how much rushing the
recovery from hamstring injuries can end up costin’.
YES, Yes, yes, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is nursing his own nagging
ankle injury (but not the “high sprain” over which everyone would
otherwise really worry).
YES, Yes, yes, tight end Blake Jarwin had been placed in short-term
injured reserve with a hip injury (and – hopefully – it is only the
kind that requires the requisite three weeks of rest rather than
eventual surgery). Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is fond
scheming out of “12 Personnel” but – without TWO tight ends
reasonably-yet-routinely-capable of giving defenses (“some” blocking AND
receiving) hell – any success from that alignment is harder to
compel. The jury may still be out on second-year tight end Sean
McKeon (before Kellen Moore gives defenses another receiving target
to potentially key on).
YES, Yes, yes, promising rookie linebacker Jabril Cox had been
placed on long-term injured reserve following season-ending ACL
surgery (provoking some discerning fans – concerned over an
increasingly-sore linebacking core – to consult their local clergy).
“But, BUT” – yeah, SURE – the BRONCOS traded away their very best
player and did not have a single prayer. Would the Cowboy themselves
be unassailable with so many of their own being dinged up or
unavailable?
The Latest Iteration Brings The Greatest Irritation
A game that started with a FANTASTIC 54-yard kickoff return by
shifty running back Tony Pollard (who looked like he was shot out of
a cannon) would end with the Broncos looking like they were keenly
aware of the Cowboys’ pre-game plannin’. After a 3rd-and-6 pass to
wide receiver Amari Cooper left him just short, Grand Moff, err,
head coach Mike McCarthy was heard to say: “Are you kidding? No need
to abort!” Dak – from the Denver 38 on 4th-and-1 with orders to keep
that first drive alive – apparently expected Denver's strong safety
Justin Simmons to remain back in the Broncos’ shallow coverage
stack. Simmons – as the unaccounted-for-defender (putting both left
tackle Terence Steele and tight end Dalton Schultz in a “too late”
blender) – instead made a bee line for Ezekiel Elliott who had a
first down design but could not flow with nowhere to go.
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Could offensive coordinator Kellen Moore have chosen to deploy
(always) offensive guard (and sometimes fullback) Connor McGovern to
better prevent that series from “going southern?” Yes, but Moore
seemingly believes a less-than-full-strength “Great Wall Of Dallas”
might begin suffering from a “we simply cannot do it ourselves”
affliction of overreliance addiction. McGovern perhaps should ONLY
be invited to the “block party” on special occasions (even when his
brief appearances could ensure multiple drive-saving salvations).
While "The Mighty Quinns" would "Release The (Carlos) Watkins!" and
“Release The (Micah) Parsons!” on consecutive a play – for an
eight-yard sack and a two-yard tackle-for-loss snack – to force
Denver to quickly punt it away, wide receiver / punt returner
Cedrick Wilson would muff it (and have to rely on rookie cornerback
Kelvin Joseph to Johnny-on-the-spot recover it).
The Cowboys’ second offensive set involved another go-for-it bet.
The 4th-and-2 conversion (with a pass that did not require Prescott
to be surgeon) was tipped at the line (making the opportunity to a
wide-open Cedrick Wilson not so divine). It has always been the
unpopular (?) armchair opinion of “The Tortured Cowboys Fan” that
Dak occasionally struggles with passes that require a lil’ more loft
and a slightly-finer touch. About 5.5 (?) years of game film on
Prescott’s passing tendencies would convince even the worst defenses
to get more hands up to ensure more of his short-to-intermediate
“ropes” never amount to much.
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Such correctable subtleties – overthrows here and underthrows there
(even when the offensive line would do a more-than-reasonable job of
“handle with care”) or, Or interceptions (at least one pair) or, Or,
OR mindless drops elsewhere – would quickly
become unrecoverable gluttonies. "And" after enough passes were
routinely contested, Broncos defenders needed to be arrested. And when the offensive line is
functioning less-than-fine? "And, AND" left tackle Terence Steele was exposed
as 2020 aluminum (twice by Denver linebacker Jonathan Cooper) for
two sacks so premium.
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Though Denver was starting THREE backups along their own offensive
line and while Dallas DID collect FOUR sacks, certain defenders
(like defensive end Randy Gregory) were unexpectedly (and more often
than not) placed on their backs.
Broncos’ journeyman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – with a much more
aggressive game plan – might have looked hotter (but he was
typically satisfied with being a steady, bus-driving plodder).
Though – if not for a defensive penalty – a would-be Jourdan Lewis
interception would have brought some much-needed defensive energy.
Otherwise (and as a result of still, STILL not quite enough push
from their defensive line guys), most members of the Cowboys
secondary – a perceived strength of the The Mighty Quinns heading
into this contest – were routinely caught out of position (with
little room to protest). Even stud cornerback Trevon Diggs would get
eaten alive on many a drive (on plays where he might have normally
displayed the skill and determination to strive).
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Dallas' infamous interior defensive line deficiencies left them
unable to consistently, sufficiently, or even respectfully stop the
run (for the second time in three games), and the Broncos were
having tons of ground game fun. It was abundantly clear that 200
rushing yards on over 40 carries ensured rookie defensive tackle Osa
Odighizuwa might as well wear a sign that reads: “Without ANY
reasonable defensive line help, my production varies!” In the
continued absence of fellow interior linemen like defensive tackle
Brent Urban (on short-term injured reserve since late October), Osa
would need a bourbon. No matter his (impressive-for-a-rookie)
mastery over leverage, he may want multiples of that beverage (yes,
over and over).
While the Cowboys’ defensive line interior has been a
years-in-the-making, popular pincushion so inferior, that never,
NEVER excuses the second (linebacker), third (cornerback), and
fourth (safety) levels from such bad form, so many poor angles and a
horrifying number of missed tackles (which were a “Dazed And
Confused” reminder of 2020’s mental shackles). “And, AND” penalties
– largely earned – are still, STILL another (thus-far and
season-long) area in which Dallas – in ALL three phases – could do a
teeny, tiny bit better to avoid getting burned.
Dallas appeared to see a light at the beginning of the third quarter
tunnel following a timely 3rd-down sack by Micah Parsons. While the
Cowboys’ special teams (and specifically reserve wide receiver Malik
Turner) then blocked a punt for the SECOND TIME in THREE GAMES, it
was followed by some untimely “shame, shame, we know your name!”
Rookie cornerback Nahshon Wright (perhaps forgivably sporting little
knowledge of NFL rulebook nuance) touched the ball beyond the line
of scrimmage without securing and recovering it. The NFL rulebook
still considers that a change of possession (to which Cowboys Nation
collectively yelled “Ahhhhhhh SH-T!”). Therefore, once a Broncos
player got his hands on the ball, secured it, and began to run
towards the original first down marker, that action triggered a
brand-new set of Denver downs (and only made Dallas’ dippy day
appear that much darker). Kind of a Leon Lett-like moment and – with
punt blocks being so rare – no further opportunity on the day for
atonement.
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Dak – on a late third quarter 4th-and-1 play – perhaps could have
scrambled but wisely chose (?) to avoid reaggravation to his
since-recovered injury coming his way. He instead went deep to
CeeDee Lamb, but it was just more overthrown flim-flam.
Teddy Bridgewater had a quarterback sneak on 3rd-and-goal which
might have, woulda', coulda', shoulda' been whistled dead after an
initially-stalled attempt to reach across the goal line was clearly,
defensively put to bed. “And yet, ANY YET,” there was no stoppage of
play, so he was given the necessary time to reach again and have his
touchdown-scoring way. Though Micah Parsons aggressively jumped over
the offensive line and appeared to have Bridgewater originally in
his grasp, apparently weak was Parsons’ take ‘em down clasp.
Bridgewater would then successfully push Denver’s two-point
conversion button to wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
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While Dallas (in a gunfight with a knife) displayed some late-game
life with 16 points (two touchdowns passes from Dak to wide receiver
Malik Turner followed by two-point conversions by Prescott and
Elliott), and even though Denver still appeared to be playing hard
until the end, they were still garbage time tributes around the bend
(and EVERYONE on the Dallas sideline was certainly smelling it).
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While Zeke HAD a 5.1-yard average per carry, it was (and remains)
less about that (rounding) average and more about WHEN those carries
can be SAVAGE. At some point – like any other team trying to run the
ball and maintain offensive balance – once you fall far enough
behind, you become running-game-blind (and go far more with the
throw). THIS “contest” was simply not the game during which to
lament an unbalanced offensive frame.
While the Broncos successfully delivered 30-16 victory on the theme
of “Salute To Service,” the Cowboys coughed up some “Dilute And
Disservice.” Time – with NINE games to go – will soon tell if people
(from fans to fantasy footballers to serious sports bettors) should
in-any-way start to feel nervous. Sometimes, SOMETIMES, the claim
that “it was a trap game,” does not sufficiently explain it away, ya’
know?
Properly Produce And Avoid The Excuse
“You beat the teams you are supposed to beat [until a
better-prepared opponent impacts your ability to properly compete].”
“You are what your record says you are [until your ability to take
more seriously ‘On Any Sunday, Monday, Or Thursday’ prevents your
potential from going too far].”
“You can only play who is on your schedule [until your next opponent
so eventual exposes your readiness as competitively sterile].”
“Never use injuries as an excuse [until a team ‘you are supposed to
beat’ inexplicably kicks your caboose].”
"If you seriously want to impress, simply change the way you dress
[unless you are Bill-Parcells-level superstitious and those
red-striped 1976 Bicentennial helmets trigger a bad luck mess]."
REALLY? Do not be silly.-
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“That otherwise insignificant role-player – yeah, THAT GUY –
completely BLEW his one, key assignment, forcing your star player
totally out of alignment.” And yet, AND YET, an impacted team leader
(often inaccurately viewed as a perpetually-rising tide capable of
lifting all boats) AND his coaches certainly know he can almost
never count on performing within a perfectly-functioning
environment. Aside from unicorn-perfect play-calls that identify
every opportunity and frailty to the point of lunacy, perhaps
“Situational Awareness” still reigns supreme, and the stirrer of
your team’s drink needs to “unfairly” remain in lock-step with that
unplanned adjustment theme.
“If the referees had done their jobs, my team’s players would not
have looked like such play-execution slobs!” This is a sad fact that
has left practically all 32 NFL teams less than intact, but another
fact remains that clean play-calls and cleaner play-execution will
always, ALWAYS have a greater impact (if you can more often use your
brains to prevent uniform stains).
“Well, WHAT ABOUT that other team OVER THERE [knowing with but a
victory by your own team you would otherwise hardly care]?!”
“Whataboutism” is as GARBAGE as the 16 points the Cowboys scored
late in the fourth quarter (after the visiting Broncos already had
things well under control and in the desired order).
The Cowboys DID NOT face the Jacksonville Jaguars (who – in week 9 –
defeated the Buffalo Bills 9-6).
The Cowboys DID NOT face the Atlanta Falcons (who – in week 9 –
defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-25).
The Cowboys DID NOT face the Cleveland Browns (who – in week 9 –
destroyed the Cincinnati Bengals 41-16).
The Cowboys DID NOT face the Chicago Bears (who – in week 9 –
narrowly lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-27).
The Cowboys DID NOT face the Miami Dolphins (who – in week 10 –
defeated the Baltimore Ravens 22-10).
The Cowboys DID face the Denver Broncos (who – in week 9 in front of
the entire NFL world – punched them right in the nose . . . and hard
enough to ensure discerning members of Cowboys Nation certainly
hurled).
“Like I said, don’t call me when you’re in my town. Call me when
you’re on my block, and I see you next door moving your furniture
in.” – Two-time Super Bowl Champion and former Miami Dolphins
running back / kick returner Mercury Morris (during the New England
Patriots’ 2007 run at an undefeated season).
Morris’ 1972 Miami Dolphins team, of course, produced the NFL’s only
unbeaten season, and while he was within one play here or two plays
there of potentially being wrong, his comment’s applicability HERE
remains undeniably strong. Both coaches AND players – with a lack of
proper focus against varieties of external / social media hocus
pocus – will not achieve their ultimate goal if they do not perform
diligently, properly, and respectfully (of and towards each and
every one of their opponents) on ALL LAYERS.
As much as the above really, REALLY applies to a “certain sector” of
Cowboys Nation, it matters not-at-all what fans say or do, because
it remains ENTIRELY on you know who (to avoid more of the same old
castration). The coaches and players (with GM Jerry’s marketing
monster pushing perpetual suffocation) must develop and maintain a
still, STILL better way to shut out (some of) the noise, function
one game at a time, and stave off inconceivably (?!) premature,
season-ending vacation.
Misery Loves Viruses And Injury
(Normally) Dynamic defensive end Randy Gregory will miss multiple
weeks on short-term injured reserve with a calf injury he sustained
during Wednesday's practice. Calf injuries have seemingly (and even
“communicably?”) become this year’s far-more-common (?) hamstring
injuries. And for The Mighty Quinns, keeping their defensive linemen
healthy has steadily become like playing with cactus.
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Who would have guessed that kicker Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein would
have succumb – not to another moment of unpredictable inconsistency
– but COVID-19 delinquency? NO, No, no, that does not make him or
any other, similarly-sidelined teammate into a “horrible, no good,
very bad” guy. “But, BUT,” whether he has, in fact, been vaccinated
or not, it is THE absence of consistent, even “boo-hoo exhaustive”
mask-wearing that prevents everyone on the team from regularly
saying “Aye-aye, Captain, on this game day, I am ready to fly!” No
place is even reasonably safe – and the virus will continue to chafe
– unless you are up to the button-your-shirt, tie-your-shoes task of
routinely wearing your G-D DAMN MASK.
While Dallas did, indeed, grant a tryout to former Cowboys kicker
Brett “Only From 50 Or Further” Maher, they (thankfully) returned to
a preseason possibility who may, MAY just come through: Lirim
Hajrullahu (pronounced HIGH-roo-lah-hoo). As an All-Star kicker (and
punter) for the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL,
perhaps his game day opportunities will go extremely well. Stil,
STILL, if he was THAT good – of course – many a team would have
already positively rung his bell.
It is one thing for Zeke to (minorly or majorly?) bang up his knee
during a worthy victory. It is another thing to see your lead ground
game hoss get hurt during a brutally-bad loss. “But in any potential
absence of Zeke, Tony Pollard can make sure the Cowboys’ rushing
attack does not turn bleak!” you say (perhaps overlooking Zeke’s
comparatively-invaluable blocking skills during most an urgent
play). YES, Yes, yes, Pollard devilishly-demonstrates European
handling on his ground-gaining feet, with excellent hands when the
ball needs to safely land, but time will tell if – like Zeke – in
the category of blocking he can just as successfully compete.-
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Defensive tackle Trysten Hill is finally, FINALLY being elevated
from the PUP (Physically Unable To Perform) List following ALL THAT
TIME he missed. He is returning from the 2020 game five torn ACL
(that took him through approximately 14 months of recovery hell).
Yes, it was, indeed, the very same game during which Dak Prescott
suffered his ankle injury so vicious. Now The Mighty Quinns have at
least one “man in the middle” answer to their defensive line
interior wishes.
“And, AND” wide receiver Michael Gallup will also finally, FINALLY
make his (hopefully triumphant) return to the grid iron (after
spending all but week one recovering from a calf injury that – for
the player, his team, and Cowboys Nation was far from fun).
Good Quote Or Bad Bloat?
“We’ve had that cheese.” – GM Jerry (acknowledging the obvious and
knowing Cowboys Nation would have preferred both coaches and players
instead be dealing with an outbreak of fleas).
"Anybody that thought we weren’t going to have to burn some of these
wagons as we go west with the old wagon train, and use some of them
for firewood, and lose some folks on the way, or birth some . . .
doesn’t understand an NFL season. A long journey to get to
California." – GM Jerry (acknowledging what myopic members of
Cowboys Nation do not like to hear, even though he conveniently
mentioned it following a particularly poor showing for which the
Cowboys deserve a mammoth JEER).
“I have great memories from there and I always will. But you guys
saw the performance yesterday. So there ain’t no time to take a
stroll down memory lane. We got some SH-T to fix.” – Cowboys
defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (reminding anyone who is listening
that – on his mission to ensure the Cowboys’ defense is routinely
deliverin’ – he remains ALL IN).
“Plenty of runs we [kinda’ sorta’] fit and did [kinda’ sorta’]
great, but when you get ONE that’s a misfit, and the next guy is not
hauling ass to get there, that’s when the explosives [from Denver]
come. That was disappointing for sure.” – Cowboys defensive
coordinator Dan Quinn (acknowledging his disinterest in any, ANY
defender ever, EVER performing as demure).
“One of the most important things for a coach to have is, ‘OK, this
[SH-T] ain’t working. We got to try something else.’ When those
moments come, you better be able to adjust and adapt.” – Cowboys
defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (stating the undeniable fact that –
without the reasonable ability to modify-on-the-fly – a potent
offense will ensure your sleep-walking defense gets CLAPPED).
“We lost the game, but we’re certainly not lost. There’s a BIG
difference.” – Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn (with his
focus none-too-depleted and sounding in-no-way defeated after just
ONE disappointing game, if you get the inference).
"[Treyvon]’s probably a little too aggressive right now. Some of his
penalties reflect that. That’s really the focal point of what we
want [him] to improve. But by no means do I want him to lose his
aggressiveness. That’s a big part of who he is." – Cowboys head
coach Mike McCarthy on the fresh (single-game?) struggles of
cornerback Trevon Diggs (to resume being one of 2021’s greatest
interception pigs).
“We just weren’t able to find the rhythm we’re accustomed to playing
with. It was just choppy and we didn’t execute. It’s a copycat
league. You’d better have an answer for EVERY SINGLE THING that came
up in that game, because you’re bound to see it in the coming
weeks.” – Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (acknowledging
what could happen if he and the Cowboys’ offense cannot apply the
necessary MENTAL tweaks with all remaining 2021 opponents certainly
eager to rub salt in Dallas’ perceived sore).
“I just want to win. That’s it. I’m not worried about [my next
deal]. That’s going to come eventually, but I just want to get back
out there and play ball.” – Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (on
making his long, LOOOONG-awaited return to the lineup).
Will They Or Won’t They?
The last time the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Atlanta Falcons,
Dallas
leaned HEAVILY on the “watermelon kick” to make a MASSIVE comeback
stick.
Will a seemingly-improved Falcons team insist on having their turn
with that comeback theme?
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Will America’s Team be so UNIMAGINABLY STEAMED from being so
UNEXPECTEDLY REAMED?
Will new and existing injury setbacks place increased limits on the
Cowboys’ defensive attacks?-
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Will the Cowboys’ fraudulent failure to snuff out the Broncos’
RUTHLESS STAMPEDE be used to ensure the incoming Falcons suffer an
UNENDING BLEED?
“And, AND” if, IF Dallas manages to deliver a real,
honest-to-goodness KNOCKOUT PUNCH to their next opposing bunch, will
that desire and effort turn into a consistent string of voracious
opportunities to EAT EVERYONE’S LUNCH?
We shall see. We always do.
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