NFL Week 3: Cowboys 21, Panthers 7

Summary

The Cowboys came into this game with a chip on their shoulder. They just recently got embarrassed at their home opener by the New York Giants, and were looking to bounce back at home against the Carolin Panthers who entered this game 0-2. The Cowboys opening drive was superb. Our passing game was working, our running game was working, everything was falling into place. It was no doubt in my mind that we were gonna score....was I wrong. On a 2nd and 9 play on the Panthers 12 yard line, Romo got sacked for a 10 yard loss. That sucked the life out of Dallas because two plays after, we attempted a field goal and missed. So a good opening drive with zero points scored...smh. After that, the first half was just bleh! We were doing great statistically, but we weren't scoring. The Panthers ended up scoring the only touchdown of the first half and we went into halftime down 7-0 along with a whole crowd of boos. But, they came out BOOMING in the second half. We shut the Panthers out 21-0 in the 2nd half. Our run game was again the reason we dominated. Romo wasn't really a factor though. He made key throws, but he left the game without a TD pass. Overall, this was a good, statement win for Dallas. I wasnt impressed that much, but it was a good win.

Grades

Offense - B

Defense - A

Special Teams - C

Player of the Game goes to...

Well, its actually a couple of players lol.

Victor Butler, the rookie LB out of Oregon State had two key back to back sacks and a forced fumble that helped seal the game for Dallas

Tashard Choice and Felix Jones helped the running game flourish. Choice ran for 82 yards on 18 carries and a TD while Jones gashed the Panthers with 96 yards on 8 carries with an astonishing 11.8 yards a carry!

Play of the Game goes to...

Felix Jones' monster juke on Charles Godfrey

Terence Newmans interception for a TD to seal the game.....sorry, I cannot find a video lol

Highlights

Side Notes.....

Felix Jones strained strained his PCL after a 40-yard run. They sat he might miss a week or two.....The Cowboys now have the most wins on Monday Night Football with 42.....After not recording a turnover nor a sack in their first 2 games, Dallas came up with 3 sacks and 3 turnovers against Carolina.....Tony Romo did not throw a TD in this game

Next Week's Opponent:

Denver Broncos (3-0) at Mile High Stadium

NFL Week 2: Giants 33, Cowboys 31

Summary

*sigh* What can I say about this loss? ALOT, but Ill keep it short. The Cowboys opened there brand new, 1.5 BILLION dollar stadium (nick named "The Palace in Dallas") with a loss to one of our biggest rivals...the New York Giants. What a way to open up a stadium, huh?! -_-. And, on top of that, they broke an attendance record by having over 105,000 people present. That's a SPORTS record, not just an NFL record, a record in all of SPORTS history. You'd think we would come out and win, right?......WRONG! There was a lot of blame to pass around in this loss. You cannot put the blame on any one player, coach and etc. The TEAM as a whole played awful. Our only bright spots were our running game, which gashed the Giants for 251 yards on 29 carries and 2 TD's with a WHOPPING 8.7 yard a run average, and our run defense, which held the Giants to 97 yards on 26 carries and a mere 3.7 yard a run average. Our pass defense was HORRENDOUS. They allowed Eli Manning to throw for 330 yards on 25 of 38 passing and 2 TD's and we didn't sack him ONCE. Ironically, there average gain per pass was 8.7. Don't think that I forgot about Tony Romo. I don't know whats wrong with our quarterback. Its like everytime there is a huge stage, the lights are on and everyone is watching, he chokes. He did mediocre at best. He threw for 127 yards on 13 for 29 passing, 1 TD and 3 interceptions. All three of those picks led to 17 Giant points (pun intended). Our offense turned the ball over 4 times, which led to 24 Giant points. If it wasn't for those lucky plays and crazy turnovers, the score wold have been 31-7. I know I sound like I'm being a homer, but the Giants won this game off of pure luck. Point, blank, period.

Grades

Offense - an A for the run game and an F for the pass game equals a C

Defense - an A for the rush defense and an F for the pass defense equals a C

Special Teams - B

Player of the Game goes to...

*sigh* Eli Manning and his wide receivers. They put on a clinic smh

Play of the Game goes to...

Eli's pass to Mario Mannignham that got tipped by Jay Ratliff, but still was caught and setup the game winning field goal...LUCK

Highlights

Side Notes.....

Starting running back Marion Barber III had a quad strain. They say the Cowboys will "wait and see.".....The Cowboys set a new sports attendance record by having 105,121 people present at Sunday's game.....The Cowboys recorded zero sacks this game, and are 32nd in the NFL with zero sacks, after leading the league last season with 59.....After Sunday's stellar rushing performance, the Cowboys now lead the NFL in rush yards a game with 194.5 per and are 3rd in points scored with 32.5 per

Next Week's Opponent:

Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Cowboys Stadium