The Cowboys had another huge second half, pulling away from Miami for a 37-20 win over the Dolphins on Sunday. Anthony Henry is certainly a candidate for MVP, with two interceptions and a recovery of an onside kick. Rookie kicker Nick Folk kicked three field goals, notwithstanding the fact that he had to kick on the dirt in the Pro Player Stadium infield.
And then there is Terrell Owens. He had five receptions in the game for 97 yards. But more importantly, four of his receptions came on third down (and each resulted in a first down), and his last reception was a 34-yard touchdown on fourth down. I have no doubt that he will take heat for the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but he is producing when it counts.
A few notes for perspective:
* The last time that the Cowboys started 2-0 was 1999, when Dallas beat Washington and Atlanta in the first two games of the season.
* With the Green Bay win over New York, the Cowboys now have a two-game lead over the Giants. Monday night’s game between Philadelphia and Washington can turn out well for Dallas no matter who wins. A Philly win means that Dallas leads the division. A Washington win means that Dallas has a two-game lead over the Eagles.
* The last time that Dallas opened the season by scoring at least 30 points in consecutive games was 1986, when Dallas beat the Giants 31-28 and then beat Detroit 31-7. Dallas scored at least 30 points in each of its first four games that season (with a 3-1 record) before falling apart in the second half of the season.
* The last time that Dallas scored 30 or more points in back-to-back games at any time during the season was during the scab games in 1987 (a 38-24 win over the Jets, followed by a 41-22 win over Philadelphia). I think it is fair to say that those games hardly count.
* The team record for most points in the first two games of a season is 91 in 1971 (49-37 win over Buffalo and a 42-7 win over Philadelphia). The Cowboys have 82 points in their first two games this season.
* The team record for most points in any back-to-back games is 103 in 1966 (47-14 win over Atlanta and a 56-7 win over Philadelphia).
Key Plays
1st Quarter
Dallas possession, 3-4-50 (4:52): (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass short left to 81-T.Owens to MIA 37 for 13 yards (99-J.Taylor).
This was the first of four receptions by Owens on third down plays. His reception allowed the drive to stay alive, leading to the first Dallas field goal.
2nd Quarter
Dallas possession, 3-15-DAL 35 (7:09): (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 81-T.Owens to MIA 37 for 28 yards (44-C.Worrell). PENALTY on DAL-81-T.Owens, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at MIA 37.
On the Cowboys’ first TD drive, Owens had two receptions, both on third down. The penalty for delay of game was stupid, but the Cowboys soon scored on a Marion Barber run.
Miami possession, 3-10-MIA 31 (1:13): (Shotgun) 10-T.Green pass deep middle to 86-M.Booker to DAL 43 for 26 yards (26-K.Hamlin).
The throw to Booker on third down allowed the Dolphins to get into position to kick a field goal, which cut the Cowboys’ lead at the half to 10-6.
3rd Quarter
Miami possession, 2-13-DAL 18 (9:48): 10-T.Green pass deep right to 86-M.Booker for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Booker made a nice catch along the side of the end zone. The touchdown gave the Dolphins a 13-10 lead.
Miami possession, 4-12-MIA 26 (6:13): (Punt formation) 4-B.Fields punts 53 yards to DAL 21, Center-92-J.Denney. 84-P.Crayton pushed ob at MIA 30 for 49 yards (50-E.Miles; 38-P.Cobbs).
The Dolphins had to punt twice, after the first punt was called back due to penalty. One that play, Crayton was stuffed at the Dallas 16. The second punt was much better, and Crayton’s 49-yard return gave Dallas the ball in Miami territory. Romo hit tight end Tony Curtis on a short touchdown to give the Cowboys a 17-13 lead. Romo’s throw on the play was amazing– Romo looked as if he would fall down to his left, but he released the ball to his right and hit Curtis in the end zone.
Miami possession, 1-10-MIA 31 (3:54): (Shotgun) 10-T.Green pass deep middle intended for 84-C.Chambers INTERCEPTED by 26-K.Hamlin at 50. 26-K.Hamlin pushed ob at MIA 15 for 35 yards (64-S.Satele).
Hamlin’s first interception as a Cowboy set up a Nick Folk field goal.
Miami possession, 1-10-50 (1:20): 10-T.Green Aborted. 64-S.Satele FUMBLES at 50, RECOVERED by DAL-90-J.Ratliff at MIA 48. 90-J.Ratliff to MIA 48 for no gain (64-S.Satele).
Green’s fumble on a snap set led to another Dallas field goal, giving the Cowboys a 23-13 lead. It looked as if the game was going to be a runaway after that.
Dallas possession, 4-5-MIA 34 (4:08): (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep left to 81-T.Owens for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DAL-81-T.Owens, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Anthony Henry’s second interception gave the Cowboys the ball in Miami territory with a 23-13 lead. Dallas faced a fourth-and-five and decided to go for it. Romo threw long to Owens, who was wide open for the touchdown.
Dallas possession, 1-10-MIA 40 (3:26): 24-M.Barber right tackle for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami cut the Dallas lead to 30-20 on a fluke touchdown pass from Trent Green to Derek Hagan. The Dolphins attempted an onside kick, but Henry was able to come down with it. On the next play, Barber found a huge hole in the right side of the line and put the game away with the touchdown.
The Good
Terrell Owens
Owens has made huge plays in both games. The two drops and two penalties were far less significant than the five receptions. That wasn’t the case last season.
Marion Barber
Barber breaks tackles that Julius Jones doesn’t.
Romo’s Feet
Romo outrushed Julius Jones (36 yards to 32). He found a way to break out of potential sacks, including an amazing play that ended in an incompletion. Jason Taylor appeared to have Romo contained, but Romo pulled a Barry Sanders-like move to get out of it (Romo’s pass to Owens fell incomplete). Amazing.
Anthony Henry
Henry has looked like a waste of money, but not today. He had two picks–and should have had a third– plus a recovery on an onside kick in the fourth quarter. Great game.
Nick Folk
Folk went 3-for-3, including a 47-yarder. Good job by the rookie.
Areas That Need Work
Penalties
Flozell Adams’ false start problems aren’t any better. And they have been old for a long time.
Receiver Cushions
Both Henry and Jacques Reeves seemed to give Dolphin receivers 10 to 15-yard cushions on every play. The result was great, though Chris Chambers finished with 109 yards on nine receptions. Other receivers could make Dallas pay.
Misc. Personnel Issues
The Cowboys used Oliver Hoyte on several plays when it seemed that Anthony Fasano would have been a better choice. Hoyte dropped a pass in the third quarter on a play that probably wouldn’t have gone far anyway.
I haven’t been on the Marion Barber bandwagon, but I’m seriously considering it. Julius Jones doesn’t break tackles and doesn’t hit holes the way that Barber does, and Barber was clearly more effective today.
Stay Tuned…
Monday (9/17): Instant Trivia: Cowboys vs. Giants
Tuesday (9/18): Answers to Questions Waiting for Answers
Wednesday (9/19): Stats, Line Betting, and Fantasy
Thursday (9/20) Questions Waiting for Answers
Friday (9/21): History and Trivia
Saturday (9/22): Preview of Sunday’s Game
Sunday (9/23): Dallas at Chicago, 7:15 p.m.
