Dallas Offense Thrives but Defense Stumbles
Jeremiah O. Sarkett |Sep 11,2007
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 Dallas Offense Thrives but Defense Stumbles Tony Romo Celebrates in the End Zone After His Toucdown Run Against The Giants Sunday Night
The Cowboys and Giants faced off Sunday night in what turned out to be the highest scoring game in this historic rivalry. Never have these two teams put up 80 total points and never have either of these teams looked so poorly on defense to start the season. Romo threw for a career-high 345 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score. Eli Manning had 312 yards and four touchdowns of his own. That total could have been even higher for Manning, as he was thrown to the ground and had to come out of the game in the fourth quarter due to slightly strained right shoulder.
Dallas had some pressure on Manning early and forced the New York quarterback into some bad reads but without Terrance Newman, the Dallas secondary was torched. The Dallas defense gave up 438 yards and tons of big plays.
Plaxico Burress made things extremely uncomfortable for Dallas as he had 8 receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Manning and Burress hooked up with 4:09 left to make the game 38-35 Dallas but that was as close as New York would get as Romo led the Dallas offense down for another score.
With Manning on the sideline nursing his shoulder, it was a done deal and the comeback was over for the Giants in Big D. "It feels a little tight, a little sore right now," Manning said. "As time went on, it got a little more sore." Manning also said he "didn't want to go in there and make anything worse, land on it or get hit on it and make something where I miss next week."
Well, it looks like things did get worse for Manning as he is listed as questionable/doubtful and will be evaluated further. I would not be surprised if he sits at least two weeks. What gives with the New York fans and media? How do you guys expect to win without Manning? All the talk that he should have went back in to prove his toughness is hogwash, get real New York football fans and the hyped-up media, please, it is more like a circus up there, chill out. The fans demonstrated on two occasions in week one that you may be the worst in the league after booing an injured Chad Pennington and harassing Eli Manning. Some football wherewithal in New York would be nice this year.
Dallas was clicking on all cylinders offensively. Terrell Owens had a great evening hauling in two Romo passes for touchdowns and ended the game with three catches and 87 yards. Jason Witten was also on point and was a favorite target for Romo. Witten had six catches for 116 yards and added a big first half touchdown.
The Dallas run game was working as the combination of Barber and Julius Jones ate clock time in the second half and helped Romo utilize the play action all game. Barber ended the contest with 11 carries for 65 yards and an explosive 18-yard touchdown. Jones chipped in with 16 carries for 66 yards and keyed the Cowboys 28 point second half with timely runs.
From My Note Pad
• Dallas did not get nearly enough pressure on Eli Manning and recorded only one sack.
• Roy Williams played excellent on the run but was again too aggressive on pass coverage and was out of position on numerous big plays for Dallas. Williams did lead the Cowboys with 8 tackles.
• Romo and Owens look to be on the same page already this year- look for this duo to put up some sick numbers in 2007 especially with Terry Glenn injured.
• Witten is emerging as Romo's go to guy- Witten was very impressive in the Cowboys opener and helped open things up for T.O.
• The Giants picked on Anthony Henry and Jacques Reeves all game and with out Terrance Newman in the Dallas lineup, look for this trend to continue.
• Dallas lost run-stopping defensive nose tackle Jason Ferguson for the season with a torn bicep- this is a big loss to the Dallas defense.
• The Giants lost four key players Sunday night- Manning (shoulder), Brandon Jacobs (knee), Osi Umenyiora (knee) and cornerback Kevin Dockery (ankle).
• Manning, Jacobs and Umenyiora are listed as week-to-week and Dockery will continue to be evaluated.
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