Where’s the Outrage?

I’m not one to brag. I just don’t do that because I don’t like to see it in others. Many of my New York friends called me this week. They had various things to say about my Cowboys. Homo-Romo. No one can stop Brandon. These were just some of the trash talk. When I wanted to talk about X’s and O’s they weren’t interested. They were back to the taunting.

The Dallas Cowboys tried to hand this game to the Giants in the first half. The Cowboys defense did everything that I could imagine to give the game away. 1 interception. 5 defensive penalties. 5!! In a half! That’s crazy. How can you think that you are completing for the top seed in the playoffs and have 5 stupid defensive penalties in the first half.

The New York Giants were thoughtful enough to return the favor in the second half. There was a series of plays that turned the game. The Cowboys drove the ball and scored on their first possession of the second half. The Giants then ran back the kickoff down to the Cowboys 5 yard line but there was a holding penalty. In spite of now starting deep in their territory, the Giants drive the length of the field. First and goal at the 6 yard line. Incomplete pass that was almost intercepted by Terrence Newman. The ball should have never have been thrown. Second and goal - inside hand off to Brandon Jacobs who bulls his way into the end zone. Touchdown…but there was a flag. Holding. Chris Snee was decapitating Roy Williams. Now, it is second and goal from the 16. Delay of game. Eli Manning’s second delay of game penalty. Now, it is second and goal from the 21. A screen to the right was completely diagnosed by Dallas defensive tackle Ratliff. Ratliff, if he didn’t have hands of stone, should have been able to catch the ball and run for a long way. On 3rd down, Manning throws under the coverage and Moss is tackled well short of the end zone. The Giants just went from a touchdown to a field goal. The Giants used 16 plays and 8 minutes of the clock to get a field goal. The score is Dallas 24 - Giants 20.

Now, it is clear that the Giants defense has to hold. They are in the exact same position that they were in 9 weeks ago in Dallas. The Cowboys start on their own 30. First down - Romo makes a great move to avoid a sack and Fasano can’t hold on to the Romo pass. Second down - Romo ties to thread a non-existent needle to Owens. Sam Madison is in his jock strap. There was no way. Incomplete pass. Now, it is 3rd and 10 BUT no. On the other side of the field there was a hands to the face penalty against the Giants. The Rookie Aaron Ross, who the Giants are very high on, gave the Cowboys first down instead of a 3rd and 10. This is a huge play.  First down the Cowboys run Marion Barber for a yard up the middle. Second down Romo throws a dart to Jason Whitten for an 8 yard gain. Now, it is 3rd and 1. The Cowboys hand the ball to Barber who bounces the ball outside and Michael Johnson the rookie safety hits Barber one yard deep in the backfield. Barber stiff arms Johnson to the ground and keeps running for 6 yard gain. First down. Huge play. Marion Barber makes the play and Michael Johnson does not.

The Cowboys are at midfield, first and ten. Owens, after motion by Crayton, ends up in the slot. Owens runs to the corner then cuts it back to the post. He is wide open. Romo has plenty of time. He throws a perfect ball to Terrell Owens. Touchdown. The game is basically over.

The Giant look at this game and blame bonehead plays (read penalties) as their reason for losing. That is true in part. The Giants stayed with the Cowboys in week 1 with big plays by Plaxico Burress. Where was Plax and his big mouth? If his ankle was hampering his performance then he needs to sit down. He was worthless. 4 catches for 24 yards. Finally, before everyone starts talking about Manning screwing up. Manning didn’t hold on the kick off. Manning didn’t hold on the Brandon Jacobs’ touchdown that was called back.

 

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