The NFL Playoffs kicked off on Saturday with the Carolina Panthers hosting the injury depleted Arizona Cardinals who were no match for them. The Panthers fell behind to the Cardinals 14-7 on a pick six before stonewalling them the rest of the game to win 27-16. Saturday night's game had the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Baltimore Ravens, who had lost in their 3 previous playoff meetings with the Steelers in Pittsburgh. However it was the Panthers night as they steamrolled the Steelers 30-17 in a game that was not even as close as the score indicates. Of course I love to watch the Steelers lose (as a Cowboy fan this comes naturally), so I did not miss a down after getting home from work on Saturday night.
The early game on Sunday pitted the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Cincinnatti Bengals. There was a Moment of Silence to open the game in order to pay respects to long time ESPN Anchor Stuart Scott who lost his battle with Cancer Sunday morning. The Colts who seemed to have recovered from their 42-7 thrashing at the hands of the Cowboys in December, then took it to the Bengals running away to a 26-10 victory.
The late game had the Cowboys hosting the Detroit Lions at the Taj Ma Jones in Arlington. This was by far the most closely contested of the weekend games and in the beginning it looked very similar to other late season meltdowns as the Lions moved out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. After the second TD by the Lions, they had gained 155 yards to just 23 for Dallas. The Cowboys regrouped somewhat in the second quarter, scoring on a big 76 yard TD catch and run from Tony Romo to Terrence Williams. The Lions answered that with a Field Goal to lead at the half 17-7. On the first play of the second half, Detroit's Matt Stafford threw a pick that Dallas returned to their 19 yard line. The Lions stiffened and then Mr Automatic, Kicker Dan Bailey improbably missed a 41 yard FG to leave the score the same. The Lions then marched to their own FG to go up 20-7.
The Cowboys then came to life, marching 80 yards for a TD to draw closer at 20-14. The key plays on the drive were a 43 yard catch and run by Dez Bryant to get inside the 10 yard line and DeMarco Murray's 1 yard TD run on 4th and Goal. 3 minutes into the fourth quarter the Cowboys kicked a 51 yard FG to get closer at 20-17.
Detroit was driving with a 20-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter when referee Pete Morelli announced a pass interference penalty against Anthony Hitchens on a third-down pass to Brandon Pettigrew. But officials reversed the call without explanation, and Sam Martin had a 10-yard punt after the Lions tried to draw Dallas offside on fourth-and-1. The Cowboys then began their own drive from their 41 but were facing a 4th and 7 at the Detroit 42 with 6 minutes left. The safe option would be to punt and play defense to get the ball back so you can tie or win the game in the final moments. Another option would be to try and gain the yardage to keep the drive alive. Not gaining the yardage would give Detroit excellent field position at their 42 and the opportunity to finish the game with more points or just killing the clock with their lead. Coach Jason Garrett proved his faith in his team and QB by dialing up a play action pass. Tight End Jason Witten, Romo's bestest buddy and one of the best in the league, got loose over the middle of the field to gain 21 yards to the Lion 21. The Cowboys then proceeded to take the game from the Lions, scoring on an 8 yard TD pass again from Romo To Williams. This made the score 24-20 with 2:32 remaining, however the drama was not over just yet.
Dallas clung to a four-point lead as the clock ticked toward the two-minute warning. With Detroit still in its own territory, Anthony Spencer blindsides Matthew Stafford for a critical strip-sack – a fumble which Rookie DeMarcus Lawrence recovered, only to lose it back to the Lions seconds later. “I was like ‘No!’ And then he told me he was going to make up for it,” LB Jeremy Mincey said. “He looked us in the eye and said ‘I’m going to make up for it, man.’" It’s one thing to say that. Eight plays later, though Lawrecne delivered – emphatically. On a 4th-and-3 from the Dallas 42-yard line, Stafford once again dropped back. This time it was Lawrence who dropped him – his first career sack – and pounced on the ensuing fumble. “Just being a rookie in the playoffs, having a game-sealing deal like that -- it gets no better than that,” Lawrence said. And the Taj Ma Jones crowd of over 91,000 rattle the roof with their approval. 3 Victory formation plays later, the Cowboys advanced to the Divisional Round to meet the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field at noon on Sunday with the 24-20 win.
The Cowboys last played a play off game in Green Bay in the 1967 NFL Championship 'Ice Bowl' game losing 21-17 in the final seconds. I am expecting a different result this time as I like our chances on the road. It has been quite a while since a play off game has featured a team that was undefeated on the road traveling to play a team that was undefeated at home. The Cowboys are no stranger to road victories this season having won in tough venues like Philadelphia and Seattle, so even vaunted Lambeau Field should not stand in the way of a Cowboys win. One thing is for sure, it is an exciting time to be a Cowboy fan again after the last few years of frustration. Go Cowboys! Beat Green Bay!
You Monday with Mozart features tow concerti in A Major by the Master, his Violin Concerto Number 5, K219 and the Piano Concerto Number 23, K488. Unfortunately the videographer did not list the artist responsible for these marvelous performances. You may also hear Mozart's Violin Sonata Number 32 in B Flat Major over on my tumblr.
To begin your weekly dosage of Arte de l'Homme, I have gathered some rather scrumptious studs in skivvies for this week's edition of Monday's Undies on display below the play list. Additional inspiration can be found in Edilson Nascimento, Your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr. Thanks for kick starting your week here at Nichevo, see you again soon. Until next time as always, Enjoy
The early game on Sunday pitted the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Cincinnatti Bengals. There was a Moment of Silence to open the game in order to pay respects to long time ESPN Anchor Stuart Scott who lost his battle with Cancer Sunday morning. The Colts who seemed to have recovered from their 42-7 thrashing at the hands of the Cowboys in December, then took it to the Bengals running away to a 26-10 victory.
The late game had the Cowboys hosting the Detroit Lions at the Taj Ma Jones in Arlington. This was by far the most closely contested of the weekend games and in the beginning it looked very similar to other late season meltdowns as the Lions moved out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. After the second TD by the Lions, they had gained 155 yards to just 23 for Dallas. The Cowboys regrouped somewhat in the second quarter, scoring on a big 76 yard TD catch and run from Tony Romo to Terrence Williams. The Lions answered that with a Field Goal to lead at the half 17-7. On the first play of the second half, Detroit's Matt Stafford threw a pick that Dallas returned to their 19 yard line. The Lions stiffened and then Mr Automatic, Kicker Dan Bailey improbably missed a 41 yard FG to leave the score the same. The Lions then marched to their own FG to go up 20-7.
The Cowboys then came to life, marching 80 yards for a TD to draw closer at 20-14. The key plays on the drive were a 43 yard catch and run by Dez Bryant to get inside the 10 yard line and DeMarco Murray's 1 yard TD run on 4th and Goal. 3 minutes into the fourth quarter the Cowboys kicked a 51 yard FG to get closer at 20-17.
Detroit was driving with a 20-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter when referee Pete Morelli announced a pass interference penalty against Anthony Hitchens on a third-down pass to Brandon Pettigrew. But officials reversed the call without explanation, and Sam Martin had a 10-yard punt after the Lions tried to draw Dallas offside on fourth-and-1. The Cowboys then began their own drive from their 41 but were facing a 4th and 7 at the Detroit 42 with 6 minutes left. The safe option would be to punt and play defense to get the ball back so you can tie or win the game in the final moments. Another option would be to try and gain the yardage to keep the drive alive. Not gaining the yardage would give Detroit excellent field position at their 42 and the opportunity to finish the game with more points or just killing the clock with their lead. Coach Jason Garrett proved his faith in his team and QB by dialing up a play action pass. Tight End Jason Witten, Romo's bestest buddy and one of the best in the league, got loose over the middle of the field to gain 21 yards to the Lion 21. The Cowboys then proceeded to take the game from the Lions, scoring on an 8 yard TD pass again from Romo To Williams. This made the score 24-20 with 2:32 remaining, however the drama was not over just yet.
Dallas clung to a four-point lead as the clock ticked toward the two-minute warning. With Detroit still in its own territory, Anthony Spencer blindsides Matthew Stafford for a critical strip-sack – a fumble which Rookie DeMarcus Lawrence recovered, only to lose it back to the Lions seconds later. “I was like ‘No!’ And then he told me he was going to make up for it,” LB Jeremy Mincey said. “He looked us in the eye and said ‘I’m going to make up for it, man.’" It’s one thing to say that. Eight plays later, though Lawrecne delivered – emphatically. On a 4th-and-3 from the Dallas 42-yard line, Stafford once again dropped back. This time it was Lawrence who dropped him – his first career sack – and pounced on the ensuing fumble. “Just being a rookie in the playoffs, having a game-sealing deal like that -- it gets no better than that,” Lawrence said. And the Taj Ma Jones crowd of over 91,000 rattle the roof with their approval. 3 Victory formation plays later, the Cowboys advanced to the Divisional Round to meet the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field at noon on Sunday with the 24-20 win.
The Cowboys last played a play off game in Green Bay in the 1967 NFL Championship 'Ice Bowl' game losing 21-17 in the final seconds. I am expecting a different result this time as I like our chances on the road. It has been quite a while since a play off game has featured a team that was undefeated on the road traveling to play a team that was undefeated at home. The Cowboys are no stranger to road victories this season having won in tough venues like Philadelphia and Seattle, so even vaunted Lambeau Field should not stand in the way of a Cowboys win. One thing is for sure, it is an exciting time to be a Cowboy fan again after the last few years of frustration. Go Cowboys! Beat Green Bay!
You Monday with Mozart features tow concerti in A Major by the Master, his Violin Concerto Number 5, K219 and the Piano Concerto Number 23, K488. Unfortunately the videographer did not list the artist responsible for these marvelous performances. You may also hear Mozart's Violin Sonata Number 32 in B Flat Major over on my tumblr.
To begin your weekly dosage of Arte de l'Homme, I have gathered some rather scrumptious studs in skivvies for this week's edition of Monday's Undies on display below the play list. Additional inspiration can be found in Edilson Nascimento, Your Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr. Thanks for kick starting your week here at Nichevo, see you again soon. Until next time as always, Enjoy
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