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The unsung heroes of Cowboys’ win over Giants
Bob Sturm
Published: November 23, 2014 11:26 pm
Bob Sturm discusses the Dallas Cowboys’ win over the New York Giants on Sunday night:
On the win:
Absolutely a crucial win and more importantly a gut-check that demonstrates the progress this team and organization has made in terms of maturity and grit. To get a game like this, in a situation like this, speaks volumes for their progress. Any time you win a divisional road game, especially when the opposition is up for it and throwing everything you can at you (it’s good). You can fall behind and keep your wits about you and go about your business with some in-game adjustments. This is the type of game the Cowboys lose in previous seasons. This year, they are hanging in there. That shows real progress.
On the defense making adjustments, especially on Odell Beckham, in the second half:
The way they started the game could not have gone worse — when you talk about (the Giants getting) three drives, three touchdowns and 7-for-7 on third downs. At that point in the game, they were certainly at a crossroads. I think a lot of Cowboys fans braced for what direction they would go. Late in the second quarter where George Selvie and Jeremy Mincey both got sacks kind of started the turnaround. At halftime, it sure looks like there were significant coverage changes to slow Beckham down. And once you took away that weapon, the Giants had no one else that scared you down the field. I think there you once again look to (coordinator) Rod Marinelli for pushing the right buttons on this defense. Let’s not get carried away with how good the defense was. They gave 11 third-down conversions. It was almost like an NBA game, where you get one stop at the end of the game, you’ll leave with a W.
Reacting to Tony Romo and the final 80-yard winning drive:
I think you could not be more impressed with their composure. I was concerned the previous Giants drive when the Cowboys called timeout. That was really early to start the clock. The Cowboys were operating in a real hurry. Like everyone, I thought they scored too quickly, which is a nitpick about an awesome 80-yard drive. Huge chucks of yards were found because there was no pressure on Romo. It was almost as if the Giants didn’t expect to get there. The Cowboys’ offensive line seemed to get their footing as the game on.
Tyron Smith did in the final drive against Jason Pierre-Paul, after Paul had a heck of a game. It was really a credit to Tyron. To protect the blindside on that cross to Jason Witten and the touchdown to Dez Bryant was fantastic work from the left tackle. Romo stands tall in the pocket and just picked the Giants apart on the whole drive.
Many will remember Beckham’s catch, but who were the unsung heroes?
Cole Beasley does come to mind. Once again the Giants don’t blitz a whole lot, and that 45 yard TD to Beasley on that pivot route was exactly what you needed to back off any of the blitzing ideas. Beyond that J.J. Wilcox cleaned up Rashad Jennings on a big third down on the second half. Rolando McClain was an absolute force in the middle as he has been. And I thought Mincey perhaps feeling the pressure of DeMarcus Lawrence behind him, abused Will Beatty the whole night at left tackle. Different guys stepping up each week. It won’t get easier from here, but to see those guys making plays in game 11 has to make Cowboys fans feel good.
Does the win Sunday raise or lower the importance of Thursday’s game against the Eagles?
I think this only adds to the stakes. From where I sit, there are still going to be two really good teams missing the playoffs in the NFC. Eight teams are fighting for six spots. If you get swept by the Eagles, you would hate for the Cowboys to one of those two outside looking in. They must split with the Eagles and the easiest chance is the home game on Thursday.
Bob Sturm
Published: November 23, 2014 11:26 pm
Bob Sturm discusses the Dallas Cowboys’ win over the New York Giants on Sunday night:
On the win:
Absolutely a crucial win and more importantly a gut-check that demonstrates the progress this team and organization has made in terms of maturity and grit. To get a game like this, in a situation like this, speaks volumes for their progress. Any time you win a divisional road game, especially when the opposition is up for it and throwing everything you can at you (it’s good). You can fall behind and keep your wits about you and go about your business with some in-game adjustments. This is the type of game the Cowboys lose in previous seasons. This year, they are hanging in there. That shows real progress.
On the defense making adjustments, especially on Odell Beckham, in the second half:
The way they started the game could not have gone worse — when you talk about (the Giants getting) three drives, three touchdowns and 7-for-7 on third downs. At that point in the game, they were certainly at a crossroads. I think a lot of Cowboys fans braced for what direction they would go. Late in the second quarter where George Selvie and Jeremy Mincey both got sacks kind of started the turnaround. At halftime, it sure looks like there were significant coverage changes to slow Beckham down. And once you took away that weapon, the Giants had no one else that scared you down the field. I think there you once again look to (coordinator) Rod Marinelli for pushing the right buttons on this defense. Let’s not get carried away with how good the defense was. They gave 11 third-down conversions. It was almost like an NBA game, where you get one stop at the end of the game, you’ll leave with a W.
Reacting to Tony Romo and the final 80-yard winning drive:
I think you could not be more impressed with their composure. I was concerned the previous Giants drive when the Cowboys called timeout. That was really early to start the clock. The Cowboys were operating in a real hurry. Like everyone, I thought they scored too quickly, which is a nitpick about an awesome 80-yard drive. Huge chucks of yards were found because there was no pressure on Romo. It was almost as if the Giants didn’t expect to get there. The Cowboys’ offensive line seemed to get their footing as the game on.
Tyron Smith did in the final drive against Jason Pierre-Paul, after Paul had a heck of a game. It was really a credit to Tyron. To protect the blindside on that cross to Jason Witten and the touchdown to Dez Bryant was fantastic work from the left tackle. Romo stands tall in the pocket and just picked the Giants apart on the whole drive.
Many will remember Beckham’s catch, but who were the unsung heroes?
Cole Beasley does come to mind. Once again the Giants don’t blitz a whole lot, and that 45 yard TD to Beasley on that pivot route was exactly what you needed to back off any of the blitzing ideas. Beyond that J.J. Wilcox cleaned up Rashad Jennings on a big third down on the second half. Rolando McClain was an absolute force in the middle as he has been. And I thought Mincey perhaps feeling the pressure of DeMarcus Lawrence behind him, abused Will Beatty the whole night at left tackle. Different guys stepping up each week. It won’t get easier from here, but to see those guys making plays in game 11 has to make Cowboys fans feel good.
Does the win Sunday raise or lower the importance of Thursday’s game against the Eagles?
I think this only adds to the stakes. From where I sit, there are still going to be two really good teams missing the playoffs in the NFC. Eight teams are fighting for six spots. If you get swept by the Eagles, you would hate for the Cowboys to one of those two outside looking in. They must split with the Eagles and the easiest chance is the home game on Thursday.
