All the hoopla surrounding the farewell to Texas Stadium was
supposed to fire up the Dallas Cowboys. Well, it got to the Baltimore Ravens,
too.
Feeling like they were a hand-picked foe set up for failure, the Ravens refused
to play the stooge.
Matt Stover, who sold programs outside the stadium as a kid growing up in the
area, kicked four field goals to wipe out an early deficit, then Willis McGahee
and Le’Ron McClain ripped off long, record runs each time the Cowboys got close
in the final minutes, sending Baltimore to a 33-24 victory on Saturday night and
a step closer to the playoffs.
“It wasn’t a homecoming game. It was more like a mock funeral,” McGahee said.
“We spoiled their day. It was probably the best concert ever in Irving, Texas.”
Tony Romo tried to add one last memory to the long list of great games played
under the hole in the roof, throwing touchdowns to Terrell Owens and Jason
Witten in the final 3:50. Each score got the Cowboys within two points, but the
Ravens refused to buckle...
Tashard Choice rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain
(Nick Folk made PAT)
0 - 7
6:14
BAL
FG
Matt Stover kicked a 26-yard field goal
3 - 7
2nd Quarter
10:54
BAL
FG
Matt Stover kicked a 29-yard field goal
6 - 7
0:00
BAL
FG
Matt Stover kicked a 37-yard field goal
9 - 7
3rd Quarter
2:51
BAL
TD
Joe Flacco passed to Derrick Mason to the left for 13
yard gain (Matt Stover made PAT)
16 - 7
4th Quarter
11:28
DAL
FG
Nick Folk kicked a 35-yard field goal
16 - 10
6:30
BAL
FG
Matt Stover kicked a 35-yard field goal
19 - 10
3:50
DAL
TD
Tony Romo passed to Terrell Owens to the right for 7
yard gain (Nick Folk made PAT)
19 - 17
3:32
BAL
TD
Willis McGahee rushed up the middle for 77 yard gain
(Matt Stover made PAT)
26 - 17
1:36
DAL
TD
Tony Romo passed to Jason Witten down the middle for 21
yard gain (Nick Folk made PAT)
26 - 24
1:18
BAL
TD
Le'Ron McClain rushed to the right for 82 yard gain
(Matt Stover made PAT)
33 - 24
Team Statistics
BAL
DAL
First Downs
19
16
Passing
7
10
Rushing
8
6
Penalty
4
0
Third Down Efficiency
5-15
8-17
Fourth Down Efficiency
1-1
0-1
TOTAL NET YARDS
388
327
Total Plays
66
68
Average Gain Per Play
5.9
4.8
NET YARDS RUSHING
265
92
Rushes
36
21
Average Per Rush
7.4
4.4
NET YARDS PASSING
123
235
Completions-Attempts
17-25
24-45
Yards Per Pass Play
4.1
5.0
Times Sacked
5
2
Yards Lost to Sacks
26
17
Had Intercepted
0
2
PUNTS
5
6
Average Punt
52.2
38.3
PENALTIES
3
10
Penalty Yards
19
86
FUMBLES
5
2
Fumbles Lost
1
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
32:30
27:30
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
Big games have been
commonplace through the years at
Texas Stadium, where the Dallas
Cowboys have clinched five of
their record eight NFC
championships. If they have any
intention of making yet another
trip to the Super Bowl this
season, they'll almost certainly
need to close their historic
38-year-old venue with a
victory. The Cowboys will say
goodbye to their longtime home
Saturday night against the
Baltimore Ravens, whose first
and last trip to Texas Stadium
will feature a pair of teams
desperate for a win to boost
their playoff chances...
Prediction: In the final
regular season game at Texas Stadium, a short week hurts the host Cowboys more
with Marion Barber (reinjured toe) and Tony Romo (back) ailing. The Ravens will
be out to avenge that tough loss to Pittsburgh, but the Cowboys have been hot
since the break and the emotion of closing out Texas Stadium prevail in a close
matchup. Cowboys 17 - Ravens 13
Video Preview: Since Tony
Romo's return the Cowboys are 4-1 and back in the playoff hunt. Jason Horowitz,
Ian Eagle and Clark Judge take an inside look at the Cowboys last game at Texas
Stadium
19.1
18.4