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WantWith losses, we like to pin blame on maybe one or two guys. Sometimes we say, "Well if the defense had done this ..." or "If the offense had scored some points ..." Often, these are after very bad losses where nothing one person could fix.
With the Dallas Cowboys' 44-7 win over Buffalo today, it showed that everything feeds into another part of the team. The blocking on the offensive line was good so the run game was efficient, which opened up the secondary with third-and-shorts and Tony Romo had the time to get the ball downfield to these talented receivers.
The Cowboys, thusly, were able to accumulate a 14-point lead and opens it all up for the defense. Instead of running the ball down their throats, the Bills needed a bit more aggressive game plan that put the ground game -- the Bills' strength -- on the back burner.
Fred Jackson was not bad today. He just couldn't get the ball. He had 13 carries for 114 yards and the Cowboys were willing to let it happen because they were up by two or three scores for most of the game.
In the truest sense, football is a team game and the offense and defense are more connected than we might think. It's shocking how one thing can cause a domino effect and when everything is clicking. It all clicked today.
And don't sleep on the Bills. They came back on the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots. I felt the key to the game was after the Bills scored to cut the game to 21-7. It was the second quarter and they finally got on the board. All they needed was a stop and they'd get the ball and possibly get it to a one-score game. Instead, the Cowboys pounced: 14 plays, seven minutes and a 1-yard DeMarco Murray touchdown run.
The Buffalo win was the second week of this stretch of November games that most think the Cowboys can really grab some momentum. They are 2-0 so far.
With a little help from the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys are a mere game out of first place in the division and two games in front of Philly and Washington. This with Miami and Arizona comeing up.
Grades:
Quarterback -- A+
As perfect as any Dallas Cowboys quarterback has ever been. I don't have to use hyperbole. That's all that needs to be said.
Running Back -- A+
DeMarco Murray is simply fucking amazing. I hate the Cowboys and I relish the moments of despair and loss. However, I watch Murray and all I see is success. He touches the ball and the idea of him not at least falling forward and getting two yards is beyond me. Every week there's a new comparison. I heard Thurman Thomas and Marcus Allen today. That's something special.
Wide Receiver -- B+
They didn't take over the game. They did combine (meaning Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson) for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Makin' plays.
Tight End -- B-
Five catches and 37 yards for Jason Witten. Not that he cares. He just points to the scoreboard.
Offensive Line -- A
Best game of the season. In fact, they're getting better week by week. Romo was untouched. The run game exploded again. Trust me, they may never be great, but they will always get better and the group we saw in week 1 or week 4 will not be the crew we see in week 10 or week 16.
Defensive Line -- C+
Third straight game and I felt they were getting pushed off the ball a bit more. I didn't notice any real pass rush from the front three. Jay Ratliff did get a fumble recovery. Major need for improvement.
Linebacker -- B
Some time, watch Sean Lee for an entire game. I tried to today and at times it was remarkable the space he was able to cover, especially in coverage against tight ends and running backs. Even with a broken wing, that guy simply flies.
Secondary -- A
Again, a very unheralded part of this team. We keep waiting for them to get picked on and the Bills are a team that can throw the ball around. We wait and it never happens. Lil' Stevie Johnson was held to two catches and eight yards. This secondary tackles 150 percent better than they ever did under Wade Phillips and this is from Terence Newman all the way down to Danny McCray and Barry Church. I thought they were phenomenal. Frank Walker and Orlando Scandrick hit on two corner blitzes. Three interceptions and a touchdown return by Newman. They pounced on the ball over and over.
Special Teams -- B
Does Dan Bailey never hit it somewhere other than the middle of the uprights?
Coaching -- A
Playcalling has never been better. It was hitting on all cylinders. It's unexplainable. It's not unlike the feeling had the Cowboys lost 44-7. You throw up your hands and chalk it up to chance, luck or whatever. I don't think the Cowboys are 37 points better than the Bills. Today they were, but if they play another nine times, this probably doesn't happen again. Over time, we might find out that the Cowboys were just in a good place.
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