When everything seems to be going wrong, and failure seems imminent for these Cowboys, I say it's still safe to bet on them everytime, (but just not with the point spread.)
The first drives are often a microcasm for the rest of the game. It sets the mood of what to expect and where this game might go. If this was to say anything about the game, the first drive for Dallas' offense was hinting at a wild game.
A few nice runs, a nice pass here and there, mixed in with a frightening high snap which bounced off Romo's helmet into the hands of Julius Jones who was tackled for a loss of yards. Ultimately, this drive led to a missed Nick Folk field goal from about 50 yards. Not the best start.
Washington's first drive looked very good. A few passes, a few Clinton Portis runs, and a 19 yard Touchdown pass gave The Redskins an early 7-0 lead. Dallas got the ball back, and started a nice drive heading into Washington territoy, when Andre Gurode let another high snap fly over Romo's head. Romo instinctively hunted down the ball, which seemed to bounce right back into his hands, and launches a pass toward Terrell Owens, who can't get a chance at the ball as London Fletcher jumps and intercepted at their own 10 yard line.
Dallas' Defense came out in full force to prevent the interception from turning into any points, and Washington was forced to punt. Unfortunately for Dallas, they couldn't make anything of this possession either, and punted to Washington.
Washington drove up the field and ended up with a missed field goal and soon enough the ball was back in Tony Romo's hand. It was finally time to make something happen, but not without a few hurdles. This particular hurdle was practically a carbon copy of Andre Gurode's high snap over Romo's head, but this time as Romo grabs the ball and spins around to throw to T.O. the catch is made as well as a first down. Another couples runs, another couple passes, and Romo nails T.O. for a 4 yard Touchdown tying up the game at 7.
As fast as the Romo-mentum seemed to be kicking off, it quickly was squashed. Washington drove down the field with 1:16 left in the half and got deep enough to knock through a field goal and take the lead 10-7 going into the half.
The 2nd half started off pretty good as Dallas holds off a nice Washington drive which ended in a fumble by Jason Campbell. Dallas could do nothing though and quickly went 3 and out. Washington went out on their next possession but it was about 10 and out. Dallas had the ball back and missed a few passes, made a few passes and almost had an interception that was challanged and reversed. A few plays later and Romo hooks up with T.O. again for a 31 yard Touchdown. 14-10.
Washington followed with a field goal drive heading into the 4th quarter, while Dallas continued their trends with a T.O. Touchdown pass of 46 yards. 21-13.
Washington was at it again, and drove down for a field goal. Dallas felt more dejavu as Romo connected for a 4th Touchdown pass to T.O. giving him a career high for one game, and bringing the score to 28-16. Now all The Cowboys had to do was eat up the clock and hold off The 'Skins.
With 7:50 left in the game, Washington wasn't going to be as easy to smother as The Cowboys were hoping. Jason Campbell methodically drove the ball up the field and nailed a pass to Santana Moss for a Touchdown. 28-23 with 3:45 left and Dallas getting the ball.
All Dallas had to do was run down the clock and get a first down or two, but after an incomplete pass, a loss of yards by Julius Jones, and a sack, Dallas was forced to punt with 2:51 seconds remaining.
Washington got good field position at the Dallas 40, and got the clock down to 1:45 as they reached the Dallas 19 yard line. A field goal wouldn't do it, so Washington was going for the gusto, when suddenly a beautiful leaping interception by Terrence Newman gave the ball back to Tony Romo to run out the clock and finish this game once and for all.
Things aren't always as you plan though. There were 1:39 left, and three straight Marion Barber runs left Dallas with a 4th down and were forced to punt again with 0:43 seconds left.
Washington's only hope would be in a few hail marys and some luck. But it would be Dallas who held the luck of the day. 2 Dallas penalties and a completed pass got The Redskins to the 50 yard line. There was 1 failed hail mary, a 2nd failed hail mary, and the final hail mary of the game with 0:05 seconds left was batted down by the MVP of the game, Terrell Owens.
As the fans begin to leave, the scoreboard read 28-23 as Dallas goes 9-1 for the first time since 1983. It's a short week as Dallas will next host the New York Jets on Thanksgiving. Let's go Cowboys, Let's go... LETS GO!! yee-haa
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