It couldn't happen any other way. You may have noticed a paucity of Dallas Cowboys coverage the last couple of weeks. The Cowboys had pissed me off with two sorry performances in a row with the Monday night debacle in Chicago and last week's melt down at home, blowing a 23 point lead to lose to the Packers. It appeared to be heading downhill again yesterday when the Washington Redskins kicked a long Field Goal to open the fourth quarter at FedEx Field in Landover, Md to go up 23-14 on the Cowboys. How did the Cowboys find themselves in this situation yet again, against another backup quarterback, their third in a row? I think the Cowboys have become the NFL's leading Drama Queens with all the ups, downs and close, hard fought games this season. The Cowboys seem to like the Grand Theater Drama of it all, teasing their fans just enough victories along the way to keep them coming back for more. But first let's set the scene for this weeks drama in four acts, shall we?
The game started out dramatically when the Cowboys forced a 3 and out on the Redskins first possession. Newly signed return man Michael Spurlock then ran the ensuing punt back 62 yards to the Washington 3 yard line. Two plays later DeMarco Murray bulled his way into the End Zone to give the Cowboys the early 7-0 lead. The next two Redskins drives netted them only 6 points as the Cowboys' defense held them out of the End Zone on two trips inside the Red Zone. This was halfway through the second quarter. The Cowboys were penalized on the ensuing kick off leaving them on their own 7 yard line. DeMarco Murray dug them out of that hole with a beautiful 43 yard run out to midfield. The Cowboys then drove on down the field and into the End Zone at the hands of Tony Roma and Dez Bryant. Bryant had a 31 yard catch and the Touch Down to put Dallas up 14-6 at the half.
The Cowboys got the ball to start the second half then proceeded screw things up, losing a fumble by fullback Tyler Clutts on the first drive and a Romo interception on the second drive. The resulting Redskins possessions after the turnovers ended with Touch Downs putting the Washington up 20-14. The Cowboys had blown a lead once again, looking like they were going to falter in their quest for the play offs. The Redskins scored on their third possession of the second half with that drive ending in the Field Goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. Then the Cowboys flipped the script on Washington on their next possession when they drove from their own 20 to the Washington 7. Dallas failed to put the ball in the End Zone, however Dan Bailey kicked the Field Goal that got the Cowboys back in the game at 23-17. They also ate up 8:47 worth of clock time in the process. Then the Cowboys did something unusual here of late, stopping a second half possession by their opponents. The Cowboys got the ball back on their own 13 yard line with 3:39 left in the game.
Tony Romo then proceeded to move his offense down the field, hitting Terrence Williams on a sideline pass for 15 yards, then rolling out to his right and finding Williams again, this time behind the defense for a huge 51-yard connection. Another 17-yard pass to Bryant then set the Cowboys up with first-and-goal at the 4-yard line with 2:16 left. Of course, ever the Drama Queens, Dallas had to keep everyone on the edge of their seat moving to the 1 on two runs by Demarco Murray. Then on third down, Murray tried to reverse his field, only to lose nine yards, setting up a crucial fourth-and-goal at the 10. On fourth down with the game and the season on the line, Romo at first was unable to find an open receiver. However the never say die quarterback then slipped out of the pocket with some of his Romo Magic. Romo then dumped the off to Murray on the right side, who turned and dove to the end zone for the score tying the game at 23 all. Dan Bailey's extra point gave the Cowboys the lead once more at 24-23. But the drama was not yet over, there was still 1:18 left in the game.
The much injured and oft maligned Dallas Defense put the finish to fight forcing Washington into a fourth down and 6 with 45 seconds left on the clock. Washington's last ditch effort to save the game ended with an incomplete pass, thus sealing the victory for the Cowboys. This sets up next week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East title in a win you're in and lose you go home scenario for both teams. The game has been flexed to the Sunday Night Football prime time spot from the original Noon start time. You just gotta know there is gonna be some drama in that one as always with Tony Romo and the Cowboys. And they wouldn't have it any other way!
I have been playing a Christmas CD in the car given to me by a long time reader of mine who lives year round in a cabin in the woods. In this cabin he has a beautiful Grand Piano. One of his friends is a pianist. 3 or 4 years ago now, his pianist friend came to the cabin to record the songs on the CD on that beautiful Grand Piano. Not only does this help keep me in the Spirit of the Season, but it always brings warm memories of my reader friend. For this Christmas week Sounds of the Season, I reached back into my You Tube archives for the 'A Classical Christmas' play list I made for the Christmas Day 2011 post. Included in this play list are
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