Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was visibly amped up on the sideline after his team settled for a field goal late in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Patriots. Presumably, he was imploring teammates to step up, make the big play, and close the game.
I couldn’t help but think how disappointed he must have been watching the last two possessions unfurl.
Immersed in an improbably low scoring game late in the fourth quarter, the Dallas coaching staff elected to play it safe on their final offensive possessions against a resolute Patriots defense, giving Tom Brady and the Patriots ample time to work on their final drive. Not surprisingly, the gambit didn’t pay off.
Dallas head coach Jason Garret’s decision to play conservatively was no doubt spurred on by his teams inspired and impressive defensive play: A defensive which netted a couple of interceptions and grounded Brady consistently.
Maybe Garrett was simply counting on another Brady collapse, a la the Buffalo contest a few weeks ago. It could happen again, right?
Not likely. To call Brady’s performance in that particular game an aberration is an understatement. Brady simply doesn’t succumb to pressure.
While his numbers were pedestrian up until the last drive, and the Dallas defense played effectively, Garrett should have known not to push his luck against the three-time Super Bowl champion who had overcome 31 4th quarter deficits or ties going into Sunday’s contest. Make that 32.
Brady was far from perfect, though. Romo lead the Dallas offense into the red-zone following an interception of Brady with the game tied 13-13 late in the fourth quarter.
But the Patriot Defense seemed to anticipate Dallas’ shovel pass play on a long third-and-goal, resulting in a 2-yard loss. The timid play call indicated Garrett’s apprehension to take a shot in the end zone.
Perhaps Dallas’ safe play calling were equally influenced by his inability to trust his fluctuating star quarterback.
Despite Romo’s coach-supportive post-game comments, it’s probable the quarterback- who earlier this week promised a Super Bowl victory for the Cowboys in the foreseeable future- would have preferred to make the play with his arm on the critical third down.
On their final drive, Dallas elected to continue their conservative ways. On first and second down, rush attempts by third-stringer Demarco Murray were stopped in the backfield. After a false start penalty, a third down draw play failed to move the chains. With well over two minutes to go, Dallas punted the ball off to New England, Belicheck and Tom Brady’s waiting hands.
80 yards later (and to the surprise of virtually no one), Tom Brady hit tight end Aaron Hernandez for the game winning touchdown. No turnover on downs, third interception or overtime. Instead, a well-orchestrated comeback by the games’ best, and afterthoughts of what could have been for the now 2-3 Cowboys.
Criticism aside, America’s team can extract several positives from this game: The defense played admirably, as the Patriots were held to under 30 points for the first time in 13 games. Dallas moved the ball effectively on offense, came back from an early deficit, and most importantly, avoided a “romocoaster” ride, at least for this week.
There’s no shame in a loss of this variety to a dominate Patriot team. In fact, if the defense and Romo can duplicate their effort every week, I like their chances of contending against NFC heavyweights such as the Packers and Saints.
Rest assured, if the Cowboys meet Brady in the playoffs (or comparable quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers), the coaching staff will take cues from Jerry Jones and trust Romo to make the big plays throwing the ball with the game on the line. After all, if Romo is to fulfill his prediction of a Super Bowl win, he’ll need the ball in his hands first.