The soap opera that is the Dallas Cowboys’ offense gets all the
attention. The defense, however, is keeping them in the playoff hunt.
DeMarcus Ware added three sacks to his NFL-leading total and the Cowboys took
down Eli Manning eight times on their way to a crucial 20-8 victory Sunday night
in a game where all eyes were otherwise on Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Jason
Witten.
With everyone watching to see how Romo would appease the two main rivals for his
offensive affection, he pulled a fast one by tossing touchdowns to third
receiver Patrick Crayton and seldom thrown-to fullback Deon Anderson. Then, with
2:16 left and Dallas trying to manage the clock, rookie Tashard Choice broke off
a victory-sealing 38-yard touchdown run.
Finally, the Cowboys could exhale. After a late loss in Pittsburgh and a week of
locker-room turmoil, Dallas (9-5) was back in control of its wild-card chances.
“It wasn’t a pretty win but we got it done,” Owens said...
Tony Romo passed to Patrick Crayton to the right for 34
yard gain (Nick Folk made PAT)
0 - 7
4:52
NYG
FG
John Carney kicked a 34-yard field goal
3 - 7
3rd Quarter
NONE
3 - 7
4th Quarter
12:13
DAL
TD
Tony Romo passed to Deon Anderson to the left for 1 yard
gain (Nick Folk made PAT)
3 - 14
7:06
NYG
SY
Tony Romo fumbled. Tony Romo sacked for a safety
5 - 14
5:48
NYG
FG
John Carney kicked a 47-yard field goal
8 - 14
2:16
DAL
TD
Tashard Choice rushed up the middle for 38 yard gain
(2pt attempt failed, Tony Romo pass to Roy Williams)
8 - 20
Team Statistics
NYG
DAL
First Downs
16
16
Passing
11
12
Rushing
3
4
Penalty
2
0
Third Down Efficiency
3-13
3-11
Fourth Down Efficiency
1-1
0-0
TOTAL NET YARDS
218
321
Total Plays
60
55
Average Gain Per Play
3.6
5.8
NET YARDS RUSHING
72
100
Rushes
17
21
Average Per Rush
4.2
4.8
NET YARDS PASSING
146
221
Completions-Attempts
18-35
20-30
Yards Per Pass Play
3.4
6.5
Times Sacked
8
4
Yards Lost to Sacks
45
23
Had Intercepted
2
0
PUNTS
7
6
Average Punt
47.9
42.2
PENALTIES
7
11
Penalty Yards
40
108
FUMBLES
2
2
Fumbles Lost
0
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
30:32
29:28
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
The Dallas Cowboys were
close to making this week's game
against the New York Giants a
meaningful one in the NFC East.
Instead, they're much more
vulnerable to missing the
playoffs. Dallas looks to bounce
back from a devastating loss
Sunday night when it hosts a
Giants team trying to clinch a
first-round bye. Last Sunday,
New York (11-2) had its
seven-game winning streak
snapped with a 20-14 home loss
to Philadelphia. Later in the
day, Dallas (8-5) visited
Pittsburgh with a chance to cut
the Giants' lead in the division
to two games heading into this
matchup...
Prediction:
In his past two regular-season starts
against the Giants Tony Romo has eight touchdown passes, four in each game, but
the Cowboys are in turmoil right now and the Giants just seem to thrive on
pressure situations while the Cowboys seem to fold. Giants 27 - Cowboys 24
Video Preview: Dallas looks
to bounce back from a devastating loss Sunday night when it hosts a Giants team
trying to clinch a first-round bye. Join Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly for
breakdown of this game
Rift reports haunt Cowboys as Giants loom
AFP
The Cowboys, 8-5 and fighting for a playoff berth, were
set to face the reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants, 11-2, but
newspapers and television ...
10.6
17.8