Game 5: @ Buffalo 8th October (MONDAY NIGHT)

trodgers · Last edited by trodgers on Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:30 pm; edited 1 time in total

Game 5 Preview
DALLAS COWBOYS (4-0, 1ST NFC EAST) AT BUFFALO BILLS (1-3, T-2ND AFC EAST)

OVERVIEW: Buffalo is not a very good team. The Cowboys really seem to be a very good team. Buffalo might be happy to limp into their bye week just by avoiding a shellacking, but I don't think the Cowboys are going to oblige. The #1 ranked offense and the #8 ranked defense in the NFL against #31 and #32, respectively? Cowboys must only avoid looking ahead to next week's showdown against the Patriots. Two big weeks for Phillips as a head coach: can they stay focused and can they beat the big dogs?

QUARTERBACK: Fresh off of his third 300 yard passing game, Tony Romo looks to keep the offense rolling. Romo has been sacked just 1 time in three of the four games this season. This fact has allowed him to be alarmingly accurate and make things happen. Look for another solid if not spectacular game from Tony as he forces Dallas to give him a sizable extension.
Tony Romo 21 completions, 307 yards, 2.8 TD, 0.9 INT

RUNNING BACK: Dallas's rushing game is 6th best in the NFL in yards per game at 152.5, on 4.5 yards per carry. Interestingly, no team in the NFL has more carries without a fumble. Marion Barber leads the way, but Julius Jones and a suddenly productive Tyson Thompson get the job done as well. Buffalo has a pretty weak run D (giving up 150+ yards per game) so look for the Cowboys to run regularly, especially in the second half.
Marion Barber: 11 carries, 60 yards, and 0.7 TD along with 1.5 reception for 17 yards
Julius Jones: 15 carries, 59 yards, 0.4 TD as well as 1 reception for 14 yards

WIDE RECEIVERS: The Bills have given up a few 100 yard games this season already, including an average of 282 yards per game (worst in the NFL). Also, Patrick Crayton finally made teams pay for doubling T.O. Both WRs must be respected, Jason Witten is back to his old impressive self, meaning Buffalo is going to have to work hard to contain the passing game.
Terrell Owens: 4 receptions, 66 yards, .2 TD
Patrick Crayton: 4 receptions, 94 yards, .8 TD
Jason Witten: 5 receptions, 54 yards, .4 TD

SPECIAL TEAMS: Nick Folk remains at 6/7 on FGs and has hit all 19 of hit PAT this season. Tyson Thompson has been so-so on KR, averaging 22.7 yards per attempt. Crayton has fared significantly better, averaging nearly 14 yards per punt return, including a 49 yard best this season. Matt McBriar continues to impress, averaging 46.4 yards per punt, but Daunte Hall, as I had predicted, torched the Cowboys for the sole TD of the game on a punt return. Look for Dallas to tighten it down again.

PREDICTION: Dallas cannot be caught looking past Buffalo as they eye next week's matchup with the Patriots. Although this one is in Buffalo, the Cowboys are simply on a roll. Look for a convincing victory again.

Dallas 30
Buffalo 14
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Live and Die Cowboys · Moderator Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 391

It should be a nice night in Buffalo, bad weather would have made it a closer game.

Cowboys- 27
Bills- 10

TIME · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 80

If Romo throws for over 300 yeards tonight he will set the all time Cowboy record for most 300 yeard games in one season with 4!

Cowboys are also on pace to break the all time league scoring record.

Life is good... so far.
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trodgers · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject:

Oh, my...I didn't realize all that.
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trodgers · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:59 am Post subject:

What started off as one or two bad throws has become an absolute crapfest for Romo here in the first half. I was convinced the Cowboys would come back when they got down early, but Romo isn't even under pressure now and he's throwing like he's Rex Grossman. The D has played pretty well considering how long they've been on the field, but the Cowboys need to start relying on that offensive line to grind it out or the D will be too tired to make anything happen.

Newman is playing lights out...he looks great out there. Good pressure from the D-Line. Running game is spotty. That's mostly the line's fault. The holes just aren't there...and in fact that's mostly the passing game's fault. Buffalo is inside Romo's head at this point.

17-7
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trodgers · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:33 am Post subject:

They've only come away with a FG here, but that drive was LONG, established the offense, and wore down the opposing defense.

Dallas is only back 4 despite 4 TOs.

Terrell Owens is playing one of the worst games I've ever seen by a WR1 in the NFL. No effort, cheap stuff after plays, and at least three drops.

That catch and hurdle by Crayton was amazing.
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trodgers · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:43 am Post subject:

Dallas is letting this one slip away because of poor playcalling...no reason to be launching the ball 30 yards downfield. You're only down 11. You're a better team. Grind that defense.
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Commish · Site Admin Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 10

How dare the Bills try to ice a 53 yarder.

Count it. Twice.

Cowboys win.

Goodnight now.

TIME · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 80

WOW.... just WOW! man4

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Commish · Site Admin Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 10

Live and Die Cowboys · Moderator Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 391

Oh my...

The greatest game I've ever watched. Yes it tops the Giants monday night game in 04 where they recovered an onside kick and quincy carter threw a pass to set up the game tying FG. They won that game in OT. It was also better than Julius Jones breakout game 3 years ago on monday night against the seahawks where we recovered and onside kick to set up with game tying TD. They also won that game in OT.

First of all, Tony Romo. He needed this, its great to see a QB play horrible and come back to lead a crucial TD drive. Maybe he can lower his contract demands? man1

The Cowboys overall needed this. They needed to get off thier high horse and realize if they dont come to play they can lose to anyone. Not to discredit the Bills, they were really fired up for this game.

The defense actually was a bright spot, they only allowed a FG. They have gotten better and better every week. Demarcus Ware had a huge game, 1.5 sacks with a forced fumble not to mention tipping the ball to Terence Newman for that huge INT and return. That was easily the play of the game.

Big time players-
Witten 9 catches 103 yards 1td
Crayton 6 catches 73 yards 1td (game winning)
Ware 5 tackles 1.5 sacks 1 forced fumble 1 tipped INT
Newman HUGE interception ahd 70 yard run back.

The where the hell did you come from players-
Nick Folk 4-4 kicks, 2 game winners from 53 yards out.
Deon Anderson 4 catches 39 yards ( helped Romo settle and opened up the field with a FB who can catch the ball)
Sam Hurd dove to keep the ball alive on the onside kick.

Dissapointments-
TR- 5 INTS, 1 fumble eeeeeeek
TO- about 3 drops including the 2 point conversion and a possible crucial FG set up.

TIME · Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 80

Man, where did that kid kicker come from. Guy has an amazing leg.

I said at half that Romo was going to bring the team back in spite of the 4 INTs, but the 5th, the fumble and the bad calls really had me doubting toward the end.

Witten is the MAN.

TO's got me worried.

That was an amazing catch and run by Barber down to the 3 to set up the touchdown.

In spite of everything Romo set the all time Cowboy record for 300 yard games in a season. I really liked his on field interview right after the game. No excuses, and gave props to the team for picking him up.

What was up with TNew being run down from behind on the INT?!?

Has JJ forgotten how to run the football? We have a beastly O-line, a great passing game and he should be close to 100 every game.

Crazy amazing game.
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Commish · Site Admin Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 10