Felix Yes, it was a 30-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium on Thanksgiving Day.
Yes, the game was in their hands. And, quite literally, it slipped out of their hands. Or, it was ripped away.
A loss is a loss. It was No. 8, which all but theoretically eliminates them from the playoffs. I still don't see an 8-8 making the playoffs especially since the Cowboys are due for at least one more loss this season.
However, if you're a Cowboys fan, you should feel good. Why? Because down 17, the Cowboys fought like a group of cornered badgers to keep the Saints out of the end zone. They battled to establish a balanced attack and to eat away at the lead. Because with the game at its end, the Cowboys had a legit shot.
Afterwards, it wasn't a bunch of rhetoric about ranked defenses and outscoring the opponent in the third quarter. It wasn't about fourth place finishes.
Jason Garrett took blame. He admitted mistakes and remarked that his team would come in Monday morning and look to improve. Roy Williams took blame. He said he cost his team the game. Kicker David Buehler took blame. His kick just a few feet wide left cost the Cowboys at least an overtime session.
No excuses. No hangdog expressions. No pandering to the media or fans. It's damn refreshing.
****
I thought this game had many turning points outside of the gigantic fumble and missed kick.
First Two Possessions
The Cowboys went back to back with the interception and three-and-out to start the game offensively. The first wasn't nearly as bad only because it resulted in just a field goal. The problem is that it gave the defense zero time to recover and it gave the Saints a short field. The three-and-out was killer. It sapped the defense of all its energy and I think that's why Chris Ivory walked into the end zone. Killer possessions. Or lack thereof.
The Next Two Possessions
Down 17-0, the two following possessions resulted in just three points. Not that big of a difference. However, they totaled about 13 minutes and 25 plays. It kept Drew Brees and Co. off the field. The Saints had the ball twice in the second quarter and got a lousy field goal. The Cowboys didn't play themselves back into the game, but they kept it from getting out of hand. Two huge possessions. A ton of heart.
The Fourth Down
In the first of those possessions, the Cowboys took the ball at their own 20 and drove to the 30 of the Saints. Down 17-0, the Cowboys had fourth-and-1 on the Saints' 21 yard line. Jason Garrett goes for it. I didn't blame him. The Cowboys had one choice. Go for seven points. Marion Barber is stuffed going wide (why they continue to run him wide is exacerbating). Saints ball.
The Other Fourth Down
OK, the Cowboys don't score, but they hold the Saints and get the ball back. Still, down 17-0, a touchdown to end the half and you're in the game. Cowboys put together an awesome 14-play drive. At the Saints 11, Jon Kitna hits Jason Witten for eight yards leaving the Cowboys with a fourth-and-1 at the Saints' 3 yard line. Cowboys can get a first down without scoring. They opt for the field goal, to get points on the board. I would've gone for it. I saw no difference in going for it earlier and going for it then. Four points left on the field there.
The Other Other Fourth Down
Down 23-13, the Cowboys have fourth-and-1 again on the Saints' goalline. This time they go for it, Barber over the guard, touchdown.
The Final Minute
As the Cowboys moved the ball (quite well, I might add) in the final minute to hopefully score a touchdown or tie it with a field goal. Buehler wound up missing a 53-yard field goal. The Cowboys had two time outs but were able to move the ball 35 yards by hitting wide open sideline routes. Still with two time outs, they kept doing these poorly executed sideline routes resulting in three straight incompletions. On third-and-10, they went to the right to Dez Bryant on an uncatchable ball. Why didn't the Cowboys go down the middle of the field? Surely the Saints were going to allow them the middle of the field. It would've allowed Buehler maybe an extra eight or 10 yards for his field goal, at least.
****
Grades:
Quarterback -- B
Very poor early. Very good late. Got into a nice groove. Kitna's been very nice as a back-up. I wish Kitna, however, hadn't forgotten going downfield like he did against New York.
Running Back -- C
OK, several things: More Tashard Choice! Less Marion Barber outside the tackles! More Felix Jones outside the tackles!
Wide Receiver -- D
Largely absent, especially Dez Bryant, who got frustrated. This isn't a good sign. Roy Williams was fine. All except that fumble thing.
Tight End -- B+
Jason Witten with 10 catches. In a loss. Martellus Bennett with the best five-yard gain on a fumble.
Offensive Line -- B
I don't remember Jon Kitna getting a ton of pressure. What little there was it was easily evaded.
Defensive Line -- C
After a great game, the D-line kind of dissapeared, despite having one of the potential biggest plays of the game (Jay Ratliff's sack on Brees late).
Linebacker -- C
Keith Brooking on pass coverage is like envisioning myself trying to cover these athletes.
Secondary -- B
An extremely rough first quarter turned into another three quarters of keeping the Saints at bay. It wasn't shutdown defense, but Brees had a tough time completing passes. Gerald Sensabaugh had a gigantic, huge interception. Alan Ball can't play safety.
Special Teams -- B+
Love the 50-yard field goal, the fine coverage and the enormous fumble.
Coaching -- C
Questionable on some of the playcalling and strategy, as noted above.
