The final score on Sunday at Texas Stadium read, Cowboys 31, Bengals 22.
Yes, the Cowboys ran their record to 4-1, but had few positives to show for it, in another up and down performance. Tony Romo completed 14 of 23 passes for 176 yards, but was also responsible for two turnovers. Terrell Owens, who spent the days leading up to the game clamoring for the ball to come his way more often, caught only two passes.
But, unlike the college game, the NFL doesn’t require you to be pretty, just so long as you bag a win. And, if nothing else, that’s what the Cowboys did.
Coming off a loss to the Washington Redskins, the Dallas offense looked focused as they staked their defense to an early 17-0 lead. Linebacker Greg Ellis intercepted Carson Palmer on the first play from scrimmage and returned it to the 17 yard line. The interception was the team’s first since Dec.22 of last year against Carolina, a span of 6 games. The good field position, led to a Nick Folk 30 yard field goal.
On their next possession, the Cowboys were faced with a 4th down & 4 from the Cincy 33, when rookie running back Felix Jones took a handoff and went around right end untouched for the first touchdown of the game. The score was Jones’ fourth in five games.
After another Bengals punt, Romo guided the offense 80 yards in 10 plays, and found tight end Jason Witten in the back of the end zone from 4 yards out to end the drive, and up the lead to 17-0.
The game’s momentum changed in an instant, when Frostee Rucker stripped Romo of the ball and Cincinnati recovered with 1:42 left in the half. A 15 yard facemask penalty on Marion Barber put the ball on the Cowboys 29 yard line. A Shayne Graham field goal a few plays later cut the lead to 17-6, and left the Texas Stadium faithful grumbling as the half came to a close.
After Romo and Co. opened the third quarter with a three-and-out, Carson Palmer directed an 11 play 72 yard drive that ended when he found T.J. Houshmandzadeh for an 18 yard score.
Later in the quarter, Romo lofted a pass toward Witten across the middle, but it was intercepted by Keith Rivers and returned 39 yards. Four plays later, Graham shaved the deficit to one, 17-16.
Graham’s ensuing onside-kick caught the Cowboys off guard, and the road team grabbed not only the ball, but, seemingly, complete control of the game.
But then...Maybe it was just another example of why the Bengals were owners of a winless record, or possibly Dallas’ “vaunted” defense flexed it’s muscle and decided to put a stop to it all. After the first two plays netted 15 yards, Chris Henry took a handoff and ran to the left side where he was hit by defensive tackle Tank Johnson and fumbled the ball. Anthony Spencer recovered for Dallas. Two plays later, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis could only watch, as Terrell Owens streaked into the end zone for a 57 yard score and a 24-16 Cowboys advantage.
To his credit, Palmer, who was obviously less than 100% due to an elbow injury suffered two games previously, found Houshmandzadeh for a 10 yard score, capping a 7 play 37 yard drive. His two-point-conversion pass intended for tight end Ben Utecht was broken up by safety Keith Davis.
After the kickoff, the Cowboys moved 65 yards in 10 plays, when they were faced with a 3rd & 11 at the 15 yard line. On the play, which may turn out to be one of the most critical plays of the season, Romo’s pass went through the hands of wide receiver Miles Austin and deflected directly to receiver Patrick Crayton in the end zone for a touchdown, and a 31-22 Dallas lead. The catch was Crayton’s only of the game and, not only clinched the victory but also, allowed Dallas to keep pace with Washington (4-1) and the New York Giants (4-0) in the tough NFC East.
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