Where to begin?
This game was incredible, there are tons of aspects to go over and I'm not sure what to talk about first. Since I was actually at the game, I could talk a lot about the experience and atmosphere, but I'll put all of that into my next post. This recap will focus strictly on the game. I guess I could start by talking about the various records that were broken during the game:
- Jason Witten moved up to #3 on the list of most receptions by all NFL Tight Ends, ever.
- Tony Romo broke a Cowboys record for highest completion percentage in a game, successfully converting 23 of 26 passes for 88.5%.
- The margin of victory in the game was the biggest for a Cowboys game since 2000 (against Arizona.)
Not bad at all.
Next I should probably talk about DeMarco Murray.
Murray has been exactly what Dallas needed at Running Back. In the past four games he was the starter because of Felix Jones' injury and he has been dynamic each week. It'll be hard for him to top his 253 yard performance against St. Louis, but he hasn't disappointed yet. This week he rushed for 135 yards and stacked up 36 yards on receptions (That's 171 for those bad at math.) Having a running game that actually works is noticeably improving the passing game too, in fact, Murray's play is breathing life in all aspects of play.
Moving on... The Receivers.
I could single out Dez, (who had 6 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown,) or Laurent Robinson (3 catches, 73 yards, 2 touchdowns,) or even Witten (5 catches, 37 yards,) but it was really a great effort on every receiver's part. Without some spectacular catches, Romo wouldn't have broken that completion record. Even Jesse Holley, Kevin Ogletree and, surprise surprise, Martellus Bennett made clutch catches that kept drives alive.
Defense:
You get a good feeling in your gut when the first defensive play of the game is a sack, especially from DeMarcus Ware, who didn't record any sacks in last week's victory against Seattle. This made him the sack leader with 13, well for a day at least, (Jared Allen reclaimed the lead with 13.5 after he sacked Aaron Rodgers early in the Packers/Vikings game Monday Night.)
Turnovers aplenty. Terence Newman recorded two interceptions, with one being a pick-six. Frank Walker also grabbed an interception in the end zone late in garbage-time that ended the game and firmly held Buffalo to only 7 points. There was also a nice Gerald Sensabaugh forced fumble which wasn't called at first, but Jason Garrett quickly challenged and had the play reversed.
What's Left?... Oh yea, Special Teams.
There weren't many disappointments on Special Teams. Dan Bailey made another great case for getting rid of David Buehler next season by kicking off 8 out of 9 times into the end zone (6 touchbacks) and knocking in 3 out of 3 field goals. Also, although it wasn't really the doing of Dallas, the Bills missed on their only field goal try early in the game.
Overall, the game was amazing. If Dallas continues down this path, they will go far. I am honored to have seen this game in person, and like I said earlier, I will provide a detailed account of my personal experience in my next post. Go Cowboys! 5-4 and going strong! Next up, Washington and Miami.
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