GREEN BAY, Wis. - DeMarco Murray and Davante Adams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Green Bay Packers 21-20 in an NFC Divisional game at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Murray capped off an efficient 80 yard drive begun with Dez Bryant's 20 yard reception. Joseph Randle carried for 13 across midfield and Jason Witten's 15 yard catch brought Dallas to the Packers 27.
Murray's 26 yard rush over right end brought Dallas to the Packers 1 to set up his rushing score.
Green Bay would respond on their ensuing drive, a 90 yard charge that ended in Davante Adams' 46 yard touchdown strike, a catch-and-run play that evaded the Cowboys secondary traffic and into a Lambeau leap that brought the Pack an inch closer.
Murray was stripped of the football by Julius Peppers on the Cowboys 44 near the open of the third quarter. Peppers stripped quarterback Tony Romo on the Cowboys' first possession, though Dallas would recover. The fumble was Murray's 6th this season, the most among pro backs.
Eddie Lacy powered over left end for a 29 yard gash to the Cowboys 16 and John Kuhn carried for 4 more over the middle. Davante Adams caught to the Dallas 4, after which a fight ensued that drew a dead-ball flag against Packers lineman T.J. Lang that pushed Green Bay back to a 3rd-and-16 at the Cowboys 22.
Lacy caught for 10 yards to set up Mason Crosby's 30 yard field goal to bring the Packers within 1.
Showing posts with label Tony Romo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tony Romo. Show all posts
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Cowboys lead Packers 14-10 at halftime
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Tony Romo threw two touchdowns and Mason Crosby kicked clean from 40 yards as time expired in the first half as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Green Bay Packers 14-10 in an NFC Divisional round playoff game at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Randall Cobb caught for 12 yards and brought in a 31 yard reception along the near sideline to the Cowboys 27 with 9 seconds left in the second quarter to set up Crosby's boot.
Tony Romo is 9-of-12 for 114 yards. Jason Witten has 38 yards on 4 receptions and his 22nd third-down conversion, leading all tight ends this season. His 4th-and-6 catch that went for 21 yards came on the Cowboys' game-winning drive last Sunday in their Wild Card meeting with Detroit.
Romo flung a 38 yard touchdown to Terrance Williams after Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble to take the seven-point lead in the second quarter, handing the Packers their first trailing scoreline at Lambeau since their season opener.
Jason Witten took a late 2nd-and-5 play to the Packers 36 and Murray powered through a would-be tackle from Clay Matthews. Romo's 3rd-and-5 pass was botched by a high snap and near fumble and Dan Bailey would miss a penalty-influenced 50 yard field goal try with 29 seconds left in the opening half.
Aaron Rodgers drove the Packers over 60 yards in 10 plays on their first possession, capped off by his 4 yard touchdown to Andrew Quarless. He was sacked and stripped of the football by Jeremy Mincey when Packers center Corey Linsley surprised his quarterback with an early snap near midfield.
Rodgers is 9-of-15 for 90 yards and a score. Randall Cobb leads the Packers with 58 yards on 4 catches.
Randall Cobb caught for 12 yards and brought in a 31 yard reception along the near sideline to the Cowboys 27 with 9 seconds left in the second quarter to set up Crosby's boot.
Tony Romo is 9-of-12 for 114 yards. Jason Witten has 38 yards on 4 receptions and his 22nd third-down conversion, leading all tight ends this season. His 4th-and-6 catch that went for 21 yards came on the Cowboys' game-winning drive last Sunday in their Wild Card meeting with Detroit.
Romo flung a 38 yard touchdown to Terrance Williams after Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble to take the seven-point lead in the second quarter, handing the Packers their first trailing scoreline at Lambeau since their season opener.
Jason Witten took a late 2nd-and-5 play to the Packers 36 and Murray powered through a would-be tackle from Clay Matthews. Romo's 3rd-and-5 pass was botched by a high snap and near fumble and Dan Bailey would miss a penalty-influenced 50 yard field goal try with 29 seconds left in the opening half.
Aaron Rodgers drove the Packers over 60 yards in 10 plays on their first possession, capped off by his 4 yard touchdown to Andrew Quarless. He was sacked and stripped of the football by Jeremy Mincey when Packers center Corey Linsley surprised his quarterback with an early snap near midfield.
Rodgers is 9-of-15 for 90 yards and a score. Randall Cobb leads the Packers with 58 yards on 4 catches.
Cowboys take 14-7 lead over Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Terrance Williams hauled in a 38 yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo as the Dallas Cowboys take a second quarter 14-7 lead over the Green Bay Packers in an NFC Divisional playoff game.
Williams caught near the sideline and outskirted Packers corner Tramon Williams, taking off down center field untouched into the end zone for his third touchdown this postseason.
Dallas took possession after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball on an early snap from center Corey Linsley. Rodgers caught the high snap but was easily overpowered from his blind side on a strip-sack-fumble from Jeremy Mincey.
The score marks the first time since their season opener the Packers have trailed at home.
Romo found fullback Tyler Clutts for a 1 yard touchdown with 1:05 left in the first quarter to conclude a 61 yard drive. Aaron Rodgers opened the game with a 4 yard scoring toss to Andrew Quarless.
Williams caught near the sideline and outskirted Packers corner Tramon Williams, taking off down center field untouched into the end zone for his third touchdown this postseason.
Dallas took possession after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball on an early snap from center Corey Linsley. Rodgers caught the high snap but was easily overpowered from his blind side on a strip-sack-fumble from Jeremy Mincey.
The score marks the first time since their season opener the Packers have trailed at home.
Romo found fullback Tyler Clutts for a 1 yard touchdown with 1:05 left in the first quarter to conclude a 61 yard drive. Aaron Rodgers opened the game with a 4 yard scoring toss to Andrew Quarless.
Packers take early lead on Cowboys
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Aaron Rodgers threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless as the Green Bay Packers take a 7-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC Divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
The 3rd-and-Goal play found Rodgers attempt a rush through the middle before releasing to Quarless along the back of the end zone.
Rodgers found Jordy Nelson to start the drive for a quick first-down conversion and Eddie Lacy gashed over right end for a 19 yard gainer and then again into the red zone.
Lacy carried left for 8 yards to the Cowboys 8 and again for the 1st-and-Goal to the Dallas 4. He took a pitch that was stuffed at the line before Rodgers flung the scoring toss.
Dallas stumbled on their first possession, as quarterback Tony Romo was stripped of the football from behind by Julius Peppers on a 3rd-and-5 play. The Cowboys would recover and punt following a 5 yard drive.
Dallas is yet to lose on the road this season and Green Bay is undefeated at home as quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not thrown an interception at Lambeau Field for more than two calendar years.
The 3rd-and-Goal play found Rodgers attempt a rush through the middle before releasing to Quarless along the back of the end zone.
Rodgers found Jordy Nelson to start the drive for a quick first-down conversion and Eddie Lacy gashed over right end for a 19 yard gainer and then again into the red zone.
Lacy carried left for 8 yards to the Cowboys 8 and again for the 1st-and-Goal to the Dallas 4. He took a pitch that was stuffed at the line before Rodgers flung the scoring toss.
Dallas stumbled on their first possession, as quarterback Tony Romo was stripped of the football from behind by Julius Peppers on a 3rd-and-5 play. The Cowboys would recover and punt following a 5 yard drive.
Dallas is yet to lose on the road this season and Green Bay is undefeated at home as quarterback Aaron Rodgers has not thrown an interception at Lambeau Field for more than two calendar years.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Cowboys-Packers NFC Divisional preview
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Thanks to one particularly bad call (or was it three?) and Tony Romo's late heroics, the Dallas Cowboys earned a meeting with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday.
The contest will be the first time the Cowboys and Packers will meet in Curly Lambeau's Cathedral of Football in postseason play since the famed and frozen "Ice Bowl" of 1967 between Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry that decided the NFL Championship.
Romo would lead Dallas over their final 59 yards on Sunday, culminated in an 8 yard go-ahead touchdown strike to Terrance Williams in the Cowboys' eventual 24-20 Wild Card victory over the Detroit Lions.
With that possession, Romo secured his 28th-career game-winning drive, tied for the most since 2006, his first year in the league, and a trip to his native Wisconsin.
Romo went 19-of-31 passing on 293 yards, rallying from a 20-7 deficit, flinging a 76 yard catch-and-run score to Williams to close out the first half. DeMarco Murray added a rushing score, bringing Dallas within 20-14, finishing the night with 76 yards.
"You just have to stay in the moment and understand the game," Romo said afterwards. "It doesn't end after the first quarter, second quarter. You just have to keep calm. I've played in enough games to understand that. Maybe I didn't do that as well when I was younger."
Dallas was handed a fistful of 8-8 seasons and only one postseason victory when Romo was younger, though on Sunday a matured passer went 8-of-12 for 195 yards and both his touchdowns on third-down plays, and despite being sacked by Ndamukong Suh on consecutive snaps on their game-winning drive, converted a 4th-and-6 to Jason Witten for 21 yards before finding Williams on the back line.
Those days of postseason choking for which he became known seem long gone.
"If you are mentally tough enough, and you've been through it, and I think experience helps you, you just get rid of those thoughts and understand that this game is going to go all the way to the end," Romo said, who is 0-2 in divisional contests. "Just don't give them anything to let this game get out of reach and it will find a way to get back at the end."
Dallas (13-4) opened their season with a defeat to the 49ers before winning their next six outings. They suffered a 2-3 mid-season slump, including a 33-10 defeat to the Eagles on Thanksgiving that briefly decided the NFC East before a four-game winning streak ended their regular season.
Their revenge-match with the Eagles on a Sunday night, a 38-27 Cowboys decision, and Philadelphia's subsequent three-game losing skid, gave the division definitively to Dallas.
Green Bay enjoyed a first-round bye over Wild Card weekend thanks to their fourth-straight NFC North title, secured two Sundays ago with a 30-20 victory over Detroit. Though one could hardly call the time off restful.
Life in the Frozen Tundra has been touchy over the last week as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been left out of practice, nursing a calf injury from their game against Detroit. He had to be helped from the field that day after falling to the turf in pain as he threw a touchdown to Randall Cobb.
Rodgers was taken to the locker room on a cart, and after missing two series would return to action, finishing with 226 yards and two touchdowns, including his second to Cobb that gave the Packers their first lead, and even a 1 yard rushing score that came in the fourth quarter to produce a two-touchdown advantage.
He underwent treatment on his injured left calf this week and will be examined by team doctor Patrick McKenzie on Wednesday. Head coach Mike McCarthy was optimistic his quarterback would return on Thursday, saying he had "hip in his hop."
"I'm not concerned," McCarthy said on Monday. "Look at the way he played in the second half of the Detroit game. He's learned to play through different situations. He has continuity with his teammates. So I think you've got to be in-tune with that. But, hey, the way he progresses, he's a quick healer. He jumped out there last week and was playing normal football there until the injury. So I think he'll be in pretty good shape come Sunday."
Though his absence is still a concern in the coach's eyes.
"It's a big challenge for Aaron," he said. "I think Aaron was brought up in the right way. He likes to practice. He enjoys the competition of practice. Brett [Favre] was the same way. As a coach, your quarterback has a responsibility to practice because to me the head coach and the quarterback control the tempo and the energy of practice."
Rodgers is yet to be intercepted in more than two calendar years at Lambeau Field, and has thrown the third-most touchdowns in football this season (38) and the sixth-most yards (4,381). Jordy Nelson is second in receiving scores (13) and Cobb's 12 are the third-most.
Green Bay fields the 23rd-best rush defense (119.9 ypg), though are allowing 3.6 yards per rush in the second half of this season, compared to 4.78 in their first eight outings. Their yardage per game in that time has drastically improved, as well. After permitting 153.5 yards on average in their first eight, their second half found them giving up only 86.4 every Sunday.
That improvement will face a hearty test against the Cowboys' 2nd-best backfield and the game's best rusher in DeMarco Murray, whose 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns are tops the professional ranks.
"The Dallas Cowboys' run game is excellent," Mike McCarthy said this week simply. "Murray is a big-time back. He's definitely a difference-maker."
Murray carried 18 times for 134 yards and a touchdown, with a 7.4 yard average per rush, against the Packers in Dallas late last season, a one-point win for Green Bay.
"Any time you see a player for the first time live, they leave an impression on you, and I was very, very impressed with him," McCarthy said of that meeting.
Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers will be tasked with stopping him.
"This will be the best test that we've had," Capers said. "I think this [Cowboys] offensive line is as good as there is in the league. Obviously by this running back's statistics, he can run and does a nice job receiving the ball out of the backfield. So this will be a challenge."
Murray, who rushed for over 100 yards in 12 games this season, added 416 yards on 57 receptions and has 1,200 yards through the air in his career.
"We just have to make sure we do our best," Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels said. "Make sure we prepare the right way this week, make sure we come out and, it sounds really rhetorical, but just get after it. It's just plain and simple. That'll solve a lot of problems if we just buckle down and play our best fundamentally sound game and play it as hard as we possible can. That'll take care of a lot of things."
The contest will be the first time the Cowboys and Packers will meet in Curly Lambeau's Cathedral of Football in postseason play since the famed and frozen "Ice Bowl" of 1967 between Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry that decided the NFL Championship.
Romo would lead Dallas over their final 59 yards on Sunday, culminated in an 8 yard go-ahead touchdown strike to Terrance Williams in the Cowboys' eventual 24-20 Wild Card victory over the Detroit Lions.
With that possession, Romo secured his 28th-career game-winning drive, tied for the most since 2006, his first year in the league, and a trip to his native Wisconsin.
Romo went 19-of-31 passing on 293 yards, rallying from a 20-7 deficit, flinging a 76 yard catch-and-run score to Williams to close out the first half. DeMarco Murray added a rushing score, bringing Dallas within 20-14, finishing the night with 76 yards.
"You just have to stay in the moment and understand the game," Romo said afterwards. "It doesn't end after the first quarter, second quarter. You just have to keep calm. I've played in enough games to understand that. Maybe I didn't do that as well when I was younger."
Dallas was handed a fistful of 8-8 seasons and only one postseason victory when Romo was younger, though on Sunday a matured passer went 8-of-12 for 195 yards and both his touchdowns on third-down plays, and despite being sacked by Ndamukong Suh on consecutive snaps on their game-winning drive, converted a 4th-and-6 to Jason Witten for 21 yards before finding Williams on the back line.
Those days of postseason choking for which he became known seem long gone.
"If you are mentally tough enough, and you've been through it, and I think experience helps you, you just get rid of those thoughts and understand that this game is going to go all the way to the end," Romo said, who is 0-2 in divisional contests. "Just don't give them anything to let this game get out of reach and it will find a way to get back at the end."
Dallas (13-4) opened their season with a defeat to the 49ers before winning their next six outings. They suffered a 2-3 mid-season slump, including a 33-10 defeat to the Eagles on Thanksgiving that briefly decided the NFC East before a four-game winning streak ended their regular season.
Their revenge-match with the Eagles on a Sunday night, a 38-27 Cowboys decision, and Philadelphia's subsequent three-game losing skid, gave the division definitively to Dallas.
Green Bay enjoyed a first-round bye over Wild Card weekend thanks to their fourth-straight NFC North title, secured two Sundays ago with a 30-20 victory over Detroit. Though one could hardly call the time off restful.
Life in the Frozen Tundra has been touchy over the last week as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been left out of practice, nursing a calf injury from their game against Detroit. He had to be helped from the field that day after falling to the turf in pain as he threw a touchdown to Randall Cobb.
Rodgers was taken to the locker room on a cart, and after missing two series would return to action, finishing with 226 yards and two touchdowns, including his second to Cobb that gave the Packers their first lead, and even a 1 yard rushing score that came in the fourth quarter to produce a two-touchdown advantage.
He underwent treatment on his injured left calf this week and will be examined by team doctor Patrick McKenzie on Wednesday. Head coach Mike McCarthy was optimistic his quarterback would return on Thursday, saying he had "hip in his hop."
"I'm not concerned," McCarthy said on Monday. "Look at the way he played in the second half of the Detroit game. He's learned to play through different situations. He has continuity with his teammates. So I think you've got to be in-tune with that. But, hey, the way he progresses, he's a quick healer. He jumped out there last week and was playing normal football there until the injury. So I think he'll be in pretty good shape come Sunday."
Though his absence is still a concern in the coach's eyes.
"It's a big challenge for Aaron," he said. "I think Aaron was brought up in the right way. He likes to practice. He enjoys the competition of practice. Brett [Favre] was the same way. As a coach, your quarterback has a responsibility to practice because to me the head coach and the quarterback control the tempo and the energy of practice."
Rodgers is yet to be intercepted in more than two calendar years at Lambeau Field, and has thrown the third-most touchdowns in football this season (38) and the sixth-most yards (4,381). Jordy Nelson is second in receiving scores (13) and Cobb's 12 are the third-most.
Green Bay fields the 23rd-best rush defense (119.9 ypg), though are allowing 3.6 yards per rush in the second half of this season, compared to 4.78 in their first eight outings. Their yardage per game in that time has drastically improved, as well. After permitting 153.5 yards on average in their first eight, their second half found them giving up only 86.4 every Sunday.
That improvement will face a hearty test against the Cowboys' 2nd-best backfield and the game's best rusher in DeMarco Murray, whose 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns are tops the professional ranks.
"The Dallas Cowboys' run game is excellent," Mike McCarthy said this week simply. "Murray is a big-time back. He's definitely a difference-maker."
Murray carried 18 times for 134 yards and a touchdown, with a 7.4 yard average per rush, against the Packers in Dallas late last season, a one-point win for Green Bay.
"Any time you see a player for the first time live, they leave an impression on you, and I was very, very impressed with him," McCarthy said of that meeting.
Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers will be tasked with stopping him.
"This will be the best test that we've had," Capers said. "I think this [Cowboys] offensive line is as good as there is in the league. Obviously by this running back's statistics, he can run and does a nice job receiving the ball out of the backfield. So this will be a challenge."
Murray, who rushed for over 100 yards in 12 games this season, added 416 yards on 57 receptions and has 1,200 yards through the air in his career.
"We just have to make sure we do our best," Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels said. "Make sure we prepare the right way this week, make sure we come out and, it sounds really rhetorical, but just get after it. It's just plain and simple. That'll solve a lot of problems if we just buckle down and play our best fundamentally sound game and play it as hard as we possible can. That'll take care of a lot of things."
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Lions-Cowboys NFC Wild Card preview
ARLINGTON, Tex. - After what seemed an eternity of 8-8 seasons and perpetual exclusion from the playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys once again find themselves in contention when it counts.
Capturing their first division crown since 2009, the Cowboys will host the Detroit Lions for an NFC Wild Card game on Sunday.
Quarterback Tony Romo finished his regular season campaign with 34 touchdowns (fourth-most) and 9 interceptions (10th-fewest) on 3,405 yards passing, and seeks a second win in his postseason career against three defeats. Sunday will find Romo in his first playoff contest in five seasons.
"I'm playing at a level I'm proud of and hope to get better," Romo said. "I'm just excited about the progression of improvement and want to keep this going in our next game."
"He's the guy who orchestrates and leads everything we do on offense," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said of his quarterback.
Dallas (12-5) rebounded from a 23-point defeat to the Eagles on Thanksgiving with four straight victories to end their regular season, scoring 41 points per game and ending the year as one of four undefeated teams in December.
And made history in the process as running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant secured Cowboys franchise records in their fields at the Washington Redskins in Week 17, a 44-17 Dallas rout.
Bryant hauled in two touchdowns in that contest, good for his 15th and 16th this season, the most of any Cowboys receiver in 54 years of football.
"Dez is really a remarkable player," Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said, "a dynamic player, and it's great to see his growth.
"As a teammate, as a leader, as a veteran guy, you can take a lot of pride in seeing the growth of Dez and DeMarco [Murray] mature as players."
Murray's 32 yard rush last Sunday would brake the franchise's single-season rushing record held by Emmitt Smith since 1995. He finished that game with 100 yards on 20 rush attempts and a touchdown.
He gained 100 yards in 12 contests this season, the second-highest total in the league's history.
The Cowboys rush the football a league-high 68 percent of the time, aiding DeMarco Murray to the rushing title with 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns, both marks the best in the game. He rushed for at least one touchdown in his last three appearances for Dallas.
Murray will rush behind a front five that had three of its own elected to the Pro Bowl en route to the second-most rushing yards every Sunday (147.1 ypg) behind only the Seahawks.
Though the Cowboys' backfield will face a stiff test in the Lions' defensive line, a unit that allows a league-low 69.3 yards per game and 3.3 yards per first down rush attempt.
Detroit (11-5) will feature Ndamukong Suh on that line after he won his appeal of a one-game suspension he intially received for stomping on the leg of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in their game last Sunday.
"I'm just pleased with the decision and glad I have the opportunity," said Suh this week, whose suspension was replaced with a $70,000 fine. "I can go against Dallas and help my teammates win the game. I think that's most important."
His 8 1/2 sacks were the most for the Lions' stout group, which held opponents to under 100 yards rushing in 14 of 16 outings this season. In five games, opposing backs could not surpass 50 yards against them.
"We have a great defense, they've held us in games a lot of times," Lions receiver Calvin Johnson said of their stopping eleven. "Like they say, 'defense wins championships', so if we just step our game up on offense we'll be alright."
The Lions failed to secure the NFC North in their game at Lambeau Field, falling 30-20 to the Packers, though will appear in the postseason under head coach Jim Caldwell after a two-year drought.
They play extra football for the second time in 15 years, though have lost 10 of 11 playoff games in the Super Bowl era.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in 0-16 in career road games against teams with a winning record, the third-most defeats by a passer in that category since the 1970 merger.
"I think, obviously, you watch every game and find ways that you can get better, win, lose, or draw," said Stafford, in search of his first playoff win. "We're a battle-tested team and have won 11 football games this year. We found ways to win a lot of them and we'll continue to do that. We just have to move forward."
Stafford found 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and is 2-0 in his career against the Cowboys. He surpassed the 4,000 yard mark for his fourth straight season, tossing for 4,257 yards this year.
Detroit scored 15.5 points per game away from Ford Field, underscored only by the Raiders and Jaguars.
Dallas leads Detroit 13-12 in their all-time series and both sides have split two playoff meetings.
Capturing their first division crown since 2009, the Cowboys will host the Detroit Lions for an NFC Wild Card game on Sunday.
Quarterback Tony Romo finished his regular season campaign with 34 touchdowns (fourth-most) and 9 interceptions (10th-fewest) on 3,405 yards passing, and seeks a second win in his postseason career against three defeats. Sunday will find Romo in his first playoff contest in five seasons.
"I'm playing at a level I'm proud of and hope to get better," Romo said. "I'm just excited about the progression of improvement and want to keep this going in our next game."
"He's the guy who orchestrates and leads everything we do on offense," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said of his quarterback.
Dallas (12-5) rebounded from a 23-point defeat to the Eagles on Thanksgiving with four straight victories to end their regular season, scoring 41 points per game and ending the year as one of four undefeated teams in December.
And made history in the process as running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant secured Cowboys franchise records in their fields at the Washington Redskins in Week 17, a 44-17 Dallas rout.
Bryant hauled in two touchdowns in that contest, good for his 15th and 16th this season, the most of any Cowboys receiver in 54 years of football.
"Dez is really a remarkable player," Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said, "a dynamic player, and it's great to see his growth.
"As a teammate, as a leader, as a veteran guy, you can take a lot of pride in seeing the growth of Dez and DeMarco [Murray] mature as players."
Murray's 32 yard rush last Sunday would brake the franchise's single-season rushing record held by Emmitt Smith since 1995. He finished that game with 100 yards on 20 rush attempts and a touchdown.
He gained 100 yards in 12 contests this season, the second-highest total in the league's history.
The Cowboys rush the football a league-high 68 percent of the time, aiding DeMarco Murray to the rushing title with 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns, both marks the best in the game. He rushed for at least one touchdown in his last three appearances for Dallas.
Murray will rush behind a front five that had three of its own elected to the Pro Bowl en route to the second-most rushing yards every Sunday (147.1 ypg) behind only the Seahawks.
Though the Cowboys' backfield will face a stiff test in the Lions' defensive line, a unit that allows a league-low 69.3 yards per game and 3.3 yards per first down rush attempt.
Detroit (11-5) will feature Ndamukong Suh on that line after he won his appeal of a one-game suspension he intially received for stomping on the leg of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in their game last Sunday.
"I'm just pleased with the decision and glad I have the opportunity," said Suh this week, whose suspension was replaced with a $70,000 fine. "I can go against Dallas and help my teammates win the game. I think that's most important."
His 8 1/2 sacks were the most for the Lions' stout group, which held opponents to under 100 yards rushing in 14 of 16 outings this season. In five games, opposing backs could not surpass 50 yards against them.
"We have a great defense, they've held us in games a lot of times," Lions receiver Calvin Johnson said of their stopping eleven. "Like they say, 'defense wins championships', so if we just step our game up on offense we'll be alright."
The Lions failed to secure the NFC North in their game at Lambeau Field, falling 30-20 to the Packers, though will appear in the postseason under head coach Jim Caldwell after a two-year drought.
They play extra football for the second time in 15 years, though have lost 10 of 11 playoff games in the Super Bowl era.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in 0-16 in career road games against teams with a winning record, the third-most defeats by a passer in that category since the 1970 merger.
"I think, obviously, you watch every game and find ways that you can get better, win, lose, or draw," said Stafford, in search of his first playoff win. "We're a battle-tested team and have won 11 football games this year. We found ways to win a lot of them and we'll continue to do that. We just have to move forward."
Stafford found 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and is 2-0 in his career against the Cowboys. He surpassed the 4,000 yard mark for his fourth straight season, tossing for 4,257 yards this year.
Detroit scored 15.5 points per game away from Ford Field, underscored only by the Raiders and Jaguars.
Dallas leads Detroit 13-12 in their all-time series and both sides have split two playoff meetings.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Records broken as Cowboys lead Redskins
LANDOVER, Md. - DeMarco Murray added a touchdown to his record-breaking outing on Sunday as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Washington Redskins 27-10 at the halftime break.
Murray came into the contest needing 29 yards to surpass Emmitt Smith's franchise season rushing mark, a then-best 1,773 yards in the Cowboys' 1995 campaign. Murray broke the record on a 32 yard rush over left end in the first quarter that led to a touchdown.
"I couldn't be happier for him," Emmitt Smith said in a statement after the achievement. "He is very deserving of this recognition. This is something that I know DeMarco will share with the whole team, because he knows that they all had a hand in his success."
Murray carried 12 times for 77 yards, and his 9 yard rushing touchdown secured a twenty-point lead for the Cowboys in the second quarter. He leads the league in rushing yards (1,822), rushing touchdowns (13), and yards per game (116).
Dez Bryant caught his 15th and 16th touchdown receptions Sunday, securing a franchise-best mark in season scoring catches in the process.
Bryant caught a 65 yard catch-and-run that answered a 69 yard score from the Redskins' DeSean Jackson, and a 23 yarder with two minutes left in the first frame.
Lance Dunbar had an 80 yard touchdown rush taken off the board for the Cowboys after Jason Witten was called for holding his block.
The Redskins (4-11) added a 25 yard field goal to close the half. Jordan Reed converted a 3rd-and-8 toss from Griffin to the Cowboys 11 on a drive that found Alfred Morris rush for 22 yards. Roy Helu faked a reverse toss, hiding the ball behind his back on what became an 11 yard gain off a pitch right.
Dallas (11-4) secured their first division title since 2009 and is seeking their fourth straight victory. They are 8-0 on the road this season. Four of the last five teams to go undefeated on the road played for the Super Bowl.
Murray came into the contest needing 29 yards to surpass Emmitt Smith's franchise season rushing mark, a then-best 1,773 yards in the Cowboys' 1995 campaign. Murray broke the record on a 32 yard rush over left end in the first quarter that led to a touchdown.
"I couldn't be happier for him," Emmitt Smith said in a statement after the achievement. "He is very deserving of this recognition. This is something that I know DeMarco will share with the whole team, because he knows that they all had a hand in his success."
Murray carried 12 times for 77 yards, and his 9 yard rushing touchdown secured a twenty-point lead for the Cowboys in the second quarter. He leads the league in rushing yards (1,822), rushing touchdowns (13), and yards per game (116).
Dez Bryant caught his 15th and 16th touchdown receptions Sunday, securing a franchise-best mark in season scoring catches in the process.
Bryant caught a 65 yard catch-and-run that answered a 69 yard score from the Redskins' DeSean Jackson, and a 23 yarder with two minutes left in the first frame.
Lance Dunbar had an 80 yard touchdown rush taken off the board for the Cowboys after Jason Witten was called for holding his block.
The Redskins (4-11) added a 25 yard field goal to close the half. Jordan Reed converted a 3rd-and-8 toss from Griffin to the Cowboys 11 on a drive that found Alfred Morris rush for 22 yards. Roy Helu faked a reverse toss, hiding the ball behind his back on what became an 11 yard gain off a pitch right.
Dallas (11-4) secured their first division title since 2009 and is seeking their fourth straight victory. They are 8-0 on the road this season. Four of the last five teams to go undefeated on the road played for the Super Bowl.
DeMarco Murray breaks the record
LANDOVER, Md. - DeMarco Murray became the all-time best rusher in Cowboys history on Sunday.
His 32 yard rush over left end gave Murray his 1,798th yards on the season. Emmitt Smith held the team's previous best record, rushing for 1,773 yards in the 1995 season.
Dez Bryant caught the 23 yard touchdown reception to conclude that drive as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Washington Redskins 17-7 in the first quarter.
The catch was previously ruled incomplete, but a Jason Garrett challenge overturned that decision for the ten-point advantage.
His 65 yard touchdown regained the Dallas lead after Robert Griffin connected with DeSean Jackson on a 69 yard score two minutes earlier.
Dallas (11-4) is seeking their fourth straight victory after clinching their first NFC East title since 2009.
His 32 yard rush over left end gave Murray his 1,798th yards on the season. Emmitt Smith held the team's previous best record, rushing for 1,773 yards in the 1995 season.
Dez Bryant caught the 23 yard touchdown reception to conclude that drive as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Washington Redskins 17-7 in the first quarter.
The catch was previously ruled incomplete, but a Jason Garrett challenge overturned that decision for the ten-point advantage.
His 65 yard touchdown regained the Dallas lead after Robert Griffin connected with DeSean Jackson on a 69 yard score two minutes earlier.
Dallas (11-4) is seeking their fourth straight victory after clinching their first NFC East title since 2009.
Boys, Skins trade TDs
LANDOVER, Md. - DeSean Jackson and Dez Bryant traded long touchdown receptions in the first quarter Sunday as the Dallas Cowboys lead the Washington Redskins 10-7.
Jackson hauled in a 69 yard touchdown reception and Bryant responded on the Cowboys' next drive with a 65 yard catch-and-run for pay dirt.
The 3-play drive for Washington capped off the first time in 13 games the Redskins scored on their opening possession.
Bryant responded with his 15th touchdown catch this season after outracing coverage down the far sideline for the lead.
Dallas (11-4), on a three-game win streak, is seeking an 8-0 record on the road this season. Four of the last five teams who finished undefeated on the road played for the Super Bowl.
Tony Romo led the Cowboys' first drive over 55 yards before nearly being intercepted by Keenan Robinson in the red zone. Dan Bailey kicked from 36 yards to take the early lead.
DeMarco Murray has 12 yards rushing and needs 17 to surpass Emmitt Smith's Cowboys record.
Washington defeated Dallas in their last meeting, a 20-17 overtime victory for the Redskins on Oct. 27 with Colt McCoy at quarterback.
Jackson hauled in a 69 yard touchdown reception and Bryant responded on the Cowboys' next drive with a 65 yard catch-and-run for pay dirt.
The 3-play drive for Washington capped off the first time in 13 games the Redskins scored on their opening possession.
Bryant responded with his 15th touchdown catch this season after outracing coverage down the far sideline for the lead.
Dallas (11-4), on a three-game win streak, is seeking an 8-0 record on the road this season. Four of the last five teams who finished undefeated on the road played for the Super Bowl.
Tony Romo led the Cowboys' first drive over 55 yards before nearly being intercepted by Keenan Robinson in the red zone. Dan Bailey kicked from 36 yards to take the early lead.
DeMarco Murray has 12 yards rushing and needs 17 to surpass Emmitt Smith's Cowboys record.
Washington defeated Dallas in their last meeting, a 20-17 overtime victory for the Redskins on Oct. 27 with Colt McCoy at quarterback.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Romo breaks record, Luck benched
ARLINGTON, Tex. - Tony Romo flung his 15th straight completion on his fourth touchdown of the day as the Cowboys harass the Colts 35-0 in the third quarter Sunday.
Jason Witten raced down the middle for a 25 yard touchdown. He and Dez Bryant set up the drive with a pair of 10 yard receptions.
Romo secured the Cowboys franchise passing record, surpassing Troy Aikman with 32,961 yards. He's pitching a shutout with a stellar 17-for-18 mark on 208 yards Sunday.
DeMarco Murray has 58 yards on 22 rushes in limited play for the Cowboys (10-4), returning after having surgery on his broken hand this week.
Andrew Luck was benched for Matt Hasselbeck in the third quarter, finishing with a career-low 109 yards and two interceptions in 31 seconds time.
Anthony Hitchens caught a pass deflected at the line. But Dan Bailey missed his 52 yard field goal try wide right, only his fourth miss this season.
Luck was also picked by J.J. Wilcox in the end zone with 10 seconds left in the first half.
Colts punter Pat McAfee outgained his backfield with his foot 134-3.
Jason Witten raced down the middle for a 25 yard touchdown. He and Dez Bryant set up the drive with a pair of 10 yard receptions.
Romo secured the Cowboys franchise passing record, surpassing Troy Aikman with 32,961 yards. He's pitching a shutout with a stellar 17-for-18 mark on 208 yards Sunday.
DeMarco Murray has 58 yards on 22 rushes in limited play for the Cowboys (10-4), returning after having surgery on his broken hand this week.
Andrew Luck was benched for Matt Hasselbeck in the third quarter, finishing with a career-low 109 yards and two interceptions in 31 seconds time.
Anthony Hitchens caught a pass deflected at the line. But Dan Bailey missed his 52 yard field goal try wide right, only his fourth miss this season.
Luck was also picked by J.J. Wilcox in the end zone with 10 seconds left in the first half.
Colts punter Pat McAfee outgained his backfield with his foot 134-3.
Luck picked to end first half vs Boys
ARLINGTON, Tex. - J.J. Wilcox picked off Andrew Luck in the end zone with ten seconds left in the first half at Jerry World on Sunday.
The second year safety returned 46 yards as time expired and the Cowboys lead the Indianapolis Colts 28-0 in what is on course for an easy division-clincher for Dallas.
Dallas (10-4) jumped out to a four-touchdown lead on three scoring passes from Tony Romo and a 1 yard rush from DeMarco Murray.
Murray has 40 yards rushing on 14 attempts in limited play as he returns to action after having surgery on his broken hand this week. Quarterback Romo added 21 yards on 2 carries in the first frame.
Dez Bryant hauled in a 19 yard score after the Colts ventured a fake punt deep in their territory. Punter Pat McAfee threw an accurate pass but Dewey McDonald turned his head before securing the catch.
With a Cowboys win and an Eagles loss to the Redskins on Saturday, Philadelphia looks to be eliminated from the postseason after holding the lead in the NFC East for most of the season.
The second year safety returned 46 yards as time expired and the Cowboys lead the Indianapolis Colts 28-0 in what is on course for an easy division-clincher for Dallas.
Dallas (10-4) jumped out to a four-touchdown lead on three scoring passes from Tony Romo and a 1 yard rush from DeMarco Murray.
Murray has 40 yards rushing on 14 attempts in limited play as he returns to action after having surgery on his broken hand this week. Quarterback Romo added 21 yards on 2 carries in the first frame.
Dez Bryant hauled in a 19 yard score after the Colts ventured a fake punt deep in their territory. Punter Pat McAfee threw an accurate pass but Dewey McDonald turned his head before securing the catch.
With a Cowboys win and an Eagles loss to the Redskins on Saturday, Philadelphia looks to be eliminated from the postseason after holding the lead in the NFC East for most of the season.
Murray, Cowboys handling Colts 28-0
ARLINGTON, Tex. - DeMarco Murray has a 1 yard touchdown rush in the second quarter as the Cowboys lead the Indianapolis Colts 28-0 on Sunday.
Murray returned to action after having surgery on his broken hand this week.
He has 40 yards on 14 rushes and his score came on the tenth play of a 67 yard drive catapulted by a 20 yard pass-play to Jason Witten.
The Cowboys lead the Colts passing 150-17, in rushing 81-1, and 231-18 in total yards. Colts end Dwayne Allen has three dropped passes, all potential long gainers.
Tony Romo is 12-of-13 for 150 yards passing and has flung three touchdown passes, to Terrance Williams, Dez Bryant, and Cole Beasley.
Dallas (10-4) can eliminate the Eagles from the postseason race definitively with a win today. The Eagles were upset Saturday night in a three-point victory by the Washington Redskins.
Murray returned to action after having surgery on his broken hand this week.
He has 40 yards on 14 rushes and his score came on the tenth play of a 67 yard drive catapulted by a 20 yard pass-play to Jason Witten.
The Cowboys lead the Colts passing 150-17, in rushing 81-1, and 231-18 in total yards. Colts end Dwayne Allen has three dropped passes, all potential long gainers.
Tony Romo is 12-of-13 for 150 yards passing and has flung three touchdown passes, to Terrance Williams, Dez Bryant, and Cole Beasley.
Dallas (10-4) can eliminate the Eagles from the postseason race definitively with a win today. The Eagles were upset Saturday night in a three-point victory by the Washington Redskins.
Cowboys' Murray active vs Colts
ARLINGTON, Tex. - Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is active for the team's game Sunday against the Colts.
Murray had surgery this week on a bone in his hand that was broken in the Cowboys' game in Philadelphia last Sunday.
It was quarterback Tony Romo, however, who led the Cowboys rushing early, gaining 21 yards on 2 rushes in their first drive. Murray has 16 yards on 7 attempts as the Cowboys outgained the Colts 37 to -1 on the ground and 52-0 passing.
The Cowboys are leading the Colts 14-0.
Dallas scored their two touchdowns in a 2:13 span, their second coming after the Colts ventured a fake punt deep in their territory. Indy punter Pat McAfee threw an accurate pass but Dewey McDonald dropped it when he turned his head before securing the catch.
Dallas (10-4) answered with a 19 yard touchdown to Dez Bryant. Terrance Williams has the Cowboys' other score, a 9 yard pass from Tony Romo.
Murray had surgery this week on a bone in his hand that was broken in the Cowboys' game in Philadelphia last Sunday.
It was quarterback Tony Romo, however, who led the Cowboys rushing early, gaining 21 yards on 2 rushes in their first drive. Murray has 16 yards on 7 attempts as the Cowboys outgained the Colts 37 to -1 on the ground and 52-0 passing.
The Cowboys are leading the Colts 14-0.
Dallas scored their two touchdowns in a 2:13 span, their second coming after the Colts ventured a fake punt deep in their territory. Indy punter Pat McAfee threw an accurate pass but Dewey McDonald dropped it when he turned his head before securing the catch.
Dallas (10-4) answered with a 19 yard touchdown to Dez Bryant. Terrance Williams has the Cowboys' other score, a 9 yard pass from Tony Romo.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Cowboys get revenge on Eagles, 38-27
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - There would be no hint of a December collapse for the Cowboys Sunday night.
Despite suffering 24 unanswered points at the hands of a sudden Eagles comeback bid, Dez Bryant would catch a career-best three touchdowns as the Cowboys down Philadelphia 38-27 to take the lead in the NFC East.
And get revenge for their 33-10 rout at the hands of the Eagles 17 days ago on Thanksgiving Day, improving to a 7-0 road record on the season, the only NFL club yet to lose away from home.
"I just came out poised and focussed," Bryant said after. "We came out and dominated just like we wanted to. We knew that this game was going to be big. We're not really out trying to prove nothing to nobody."
Dallas (10-4) secured their first ten-win campaign since 2009 and will host the Colts next Sunday.
Bryant and Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins exchanged hostilities before the game began after the receiver stated through the week of his desire for revenge.
His first two scores came on the back end of the Cowboys' 21-0 scoring blitz, begun when they recovered the opening kickoff, muffed by the Eagles' Josh Huff on their 18-yard line.
DeMarco Murray rushed from a yard out and Bryant ended two scoring drives that had the Philadelphia faithful in a stunned silence.
After snagging a 4 yarder to end an 88 yard drive, he pulled down a 26 yard score four seconds into the second quarter.
Bryant capped off his night with a 25 yard touchdown reception, easily outgunning corner Bradley Fletcher down the right sideline for the 11-point advantage.
"Having a guy like Dez makes it easy to throw to spots that he can go get it," Tony Romo said of his receiver. "Just lucky to have him."
Fletcher was on the wrong end of all three scoring catches on the night, telling reporters afterwards, "I just had a terrible game."
Dallas outgained Philadelphia 127-0 in the first quarter before the Eagles (9-5) charged 84 yards in 11 plays, capped off by Chris Polk's rush from 5 yards.
Polk powered again from 1 yard in the third to bring the home side within four, and Darren Sproles scampered over the right side to complete a wild 24-0 scoring session over the middle part of the contest that gave the Eagles their first, and short-lived, lead.
DeMarco Murray would regain that lead for the Cowboys on a 2 yard rusher with 39 seconds left on the third quarter's ticker, finishing with 81 yards on 31 attempts.
Tony Romo finished 22-of-31 for 265 yards passing and three touchdowns, the first man in NFL history to throw three scores and no interceptions in four straight road contests.
Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin recorded sack number 14 1/2, sharing the second-best tally in that category with Houston's J.J. Watt.
Philadelphia drops two straight games for the first time on the season after falling to Seattle seven days ago.
Despite suffering 24 unanswered points at the hands of a sudden Eagles comeback bid, Dez Bryant would catch a career-best three touchdowns as the Cowboys down Philadelphia 38-27 to take the lead in the NFC East.
And get revenge for their 33-10 rout at the hands of the Eagles 17 days ago on Thanksgiving Day, improving to a 7-0 road record on the season, the only NFL club yet to lose away from home.
"I just came out poised and focussed," Bryant said after. "We came out and dominated just like we wanted to. We knew that this game was going to be big. We're not really out trying to prove nothing to nobody."
Dallas (10-4) secured their first ten-win campaign since 2009 and will host the Colts next Sunday.
Bryant and Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins exchanged hostilities before the game began after the receiver stated through the week of his desire for revenge.
His first two scores came on the back end of the Cowboys' 21-0 scoring blitz, begun when they recovered the opening kickoff, muffed by the Eagles' Josh Huff on their 18-yard line.
DeMarco Murray rushed from a yard out and Bryant ended two scoring drives that had the Philadelphia faithful in a stunned silence.
After snagging a 4 yarder to end an 88 yard drive, he pulled down a 26 yard score four seconds into the second quarter.
Bryant capped off his night with a 25 yard touchdown reception, easily outgunning corner Bradley Fletcher down the right sideline for the 11-point advantage.
"Having a guy like Dez makes it easy to throw to spots that he can go get it," Tony Romo said of his receiver. "Just lucky to have him."
Fletcher was on the wrong end of all three scoring catches on the night, telling reporters afterwards, "I just had a terrible game."
Dallas outgained Philadelphia 127-0 in the first quarter before the Eagles (9-5) charged 84 yards in 11 plays, capped off by Chris Polk's rush from 5 yards.
Polk powered again from 1 yard in the third to bring the home side within four, and Darren Sproles scampered over the right side to complete a wild 24-0 scoring session over the middle part of the contest that gave the Eagles their first, and short-lived, lead.
DeMarco Murray would regain that lead for the Cowboys on a 2 yard rusher with 39 seconds left on the third quarter's ticker, finishing with 81 yards on 31 attempts.
Tony Romo finished 22-of-31 for 265 yards passing and three touchdowns, the first man in NFL history to throw three scores and no interceptions in four straight road contests.
Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin recorded sack number 14 1/2, sharing the second-best tally in that category with Houston's J.J. Watt.
Philadelphia drops two straight games for the first time on the season after falling to Seattle seven days ago.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Birds-Boys trade jabs, Cowboys lead 28-24 after 3
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Eagles rallied for 24 unanswered points to take a brief 3-point lead before the Cowboys responded, leading the Eagles 28-24 after the third quarter Sunday night.
DeMarco Murray ended a 78 yard drive with 39 seconds left in the period with the 2 yard touchdown, notching a 21 yard rush on the drive and Dez Bryant adding two 22 yard receptions to take back the lead.
Mark Sanchez was intercepted by J.J. Wilcox to end the third quarter.
Chris Polk recorded two touchdowns for Philadelphia (9-4) in the second and third quarters and Darren Sproles rushed right with LeSean McCoy blocking to give the Birds a 3-point lead.
Jeremy Maclin set up Polk's second score on a 73 yard catch-and-run play on a 3rd-and-12, racing down the right sideline to the Cowboys 1.
Polk's 5 yard rush ended an 84 yard drive in the second quarter that gave the Eagles their first offensive yards on the night after being outgained 127-0 in the first period.
The Eagles' defense responded on the Cowboys' succeeding possession as Tony Romo was strip-sacked by Vinny Curry. Eagles tackle Fletcher Cox recovered for the home side on the Cowboys 14.
LeSean McCoy carried over the right to the 8 and to the left to just inside the 1 and served as fullback for backfield mate Sproles as the Eagles took their first lead.
Dallas jumped out to a 21-0 lead to open the contest, started when the Eagles muffed the opening kickoff on their own 18-yard line. The short kickoff hopped between returner Josh Huff and upback Polk and C.J. Spillman recovered for the visitors.
They struck quickly on DeMarco Murray's 1 yard touchdown.
Dez Bryant added two scores in the first half for the Cowboys and Chris Polk rushed from 5 yards to put the Eagles on the board in the second.
The Sunday night victory will take first-place in the NFC East and take control of postseason destinies for the division.
DeMarco Murray ended a 78 yard drive with 39 seconds left in the period with the 2 yard touchdown, notching a 21 yard rush on the drive and Dez Bryant adding two 22 yard receptions to take back the lead.
Mark Sanchez was intercepted by J.J. Wilcox to end the third quarter.
Chris Polk recorded two touchdowns for Philadelphia (9-4) in the second and third quarters and Darren Sproles rushed right with LeSean McCoy blocking to give the Birds a 3-point lead.
Jeremy Maclin set up Polk's second score on a 73 yard catch-and-run play on a 3rd-and-12, racing down the right sideline to the Cowboys 1.
Polk's 5 yard rush ended an 84 yard drive in the second quarter that gave the Eagles their first offensive yards on the night after being outgained 127-0 in the first period.
The Eagles' defense responded on the Cowboys' succeeding possession as Tony Romo was strip-sacked by Vinny Curry. Eagles tackle Fletcher Cox recovered for the home side on the Cowboys 14.
LeSean McCoy carried over the right to the 8 and to the left to just inside the 1 and served as fullback for backfield mate Sproles as the Eagles took their first lead.
Dallas jumped out to a 21-0 lead to open the contest, started when the Eagles muffed the opening kickoff on their own 18-yard line. The short kickoff hopped between returner Josh Huff and upback Polk and C.J. Spillman recovered for the visitors.
They struck quickly on DeMarco Murray's 1 yard touchdown.
Dez Bryant added two scores in the first half for the Cowboys and Chris Polk rushed from 5 yards to put the Eagles on the board in the second.
The Sunday night victory will take first-place in the NFC East and take control of postseason destinies for the division.
Eagles respond, trail Cowboys 21-10 at halftime
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Dez Bryant added the Cowboys' third touchdown and Chris Polk the Eagles' first as Dallas leads Philadelphia 21-10 at the halftime break Sunday night.
The Eagles responded with two scoring drives after being outgained 127-0 by the Cowboys in the first quarter.
Chris Polk rushed for a 1 yarder to conclude an 84 yard drive that gave the Eagles their first offensive yards in the game, and rookie Cody Parkey kicked from 47 yards.
The Sunday night contest is a rematch of a Thanksgiving Day meeting that gave the Eagles a 33-10 victory and control of the division. The winner will receive the first-place spot in the NFC East and the driver's seat into postseason contention.
Bryant ended the Cowboys' first drive in the second quarter on a 26 yard touchdown catch for the 21-0 lead.
He darted easily past corner Bradley Fletcher down the right sideline, making separation into the end zone to haul in the fade from Tony Romo.
Romo finished 14-of-20 for 151 yards passing and two touchdowns. Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin sacked Romo for his number 14 1/2, moving into the second-best sack mark with Houston's J.J. Watt.
Darren Sproles caught the first first-down for the Eagles at the 11-minute mark in the second, a quick toss to the right on a 3rd-and-5 to extend what became Philadelphia's first scoring charge.
A drive on which Riley Cooper and Josh Huff would both drop wide open plays, though the resulting 3rd-and-7 was converted by veteran end Brent Celek over the middle and into Cowboys territory. His 38 yards came on 3 receptions.
Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick delayed play after that with a dubious injury to slow the Eagles' pace. Philadelphia had until then averaged fifteen seconds per snap.
LeSean McCoy rushed over the middle for a quick 14 yards and again for 7 more to the Cowboys 20. Zach Ertz took the 3rd-and-2 catch 15 more yards to the Cowboys 5 from where Polk carried over the right side to put the Eagles on the board.
Dez Bryant had a touchdown reception in the first quarter to end an 88 yard drive over eight minutes, also past Fletcher.
Murray rushed from 1 yard on the Cowboys' first drive, started after the Eagles muffed the opening kickoff at their own 18-yard line.
The Eagles responded with two scoring drives after being outgained 127-0 by the Cowboys in the first quarter.
Chris Polk rushed for a 1 yarder to conclude an 84 yard drive that gave the Eagles their first offensive yards in the game, and rookie Cody Parkey kicked from 47 yards.
The Sunday night contest is a rematch of a Thanksgiving Day meeting that gave the Eagles a 33-10 victory and control of the division. The winner will receive the first-place spot in the NFC East and the driver's seat into postseason contention.
Bryant ended the Cowboys' first drive in the second quarter on a 26 yard touchdown catch for the 21-0 lead.
He darted easily past corner Bradley Fletcher down the right sideline, making separation into the end zone to haul in the fade from Tony Romo.
Romo finished 14-of-20 for 151 yards passing and two touchdowns. Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin sacked Romo for his number 14 1/2, moving into the second-best sack mark with Houston's J.J. Watt.
Darren Sproles caught the first first-down for the Eagles at the 11-minute mark in the second, a quick toss to the right on a 3rd-and-5 to extend what became Philadelphia's first scoring charge.
A drive on which Riley Cooper and Josh Huff would both drop wide open plays, though the resulting 3rd-and-7 was converted by veteran end Brent Celek over the middle and into Cowboys territory. His 38 yards came on 3 receptions.
Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick delayed play after that with a dubious injury to slow the Eagles' pace. Philadelphia had until then averaged fifteen seconds per snap.
LeSean McCoy rushed over the middle for a quick 14 yards and again for 7 more to the Cowboys 20. Zach Ertz took the 3rd-and-2 catch 15 more yards to the Cowboys 5 from where Polk carried over the right side to put the Eagles on the board.
Dez Bryant had a touchdown reception in the first quarter to end an 88 yard drive over eight minutes, also past Fletcher.
Murray rushed from 1 yard on the Cowboys' first drive, started after the Eagles muffed the opening kickoff at their own 18-yard line.
Cowboys leading confused Eagles 14-0 after 1st
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Cowboys cashed in early on an Eagles special teams mistake as they dominate the first quarter 14-0 Sunday night.
Dallas outgained Philadelphia 127-0 in the first period.
Murray and Dez Bryant snagged a touchdown each as the Cowboys, undefeated on the road this season, held the ball for 12 minutes to the Eagles 3.
DeMarco Murray has 37 yards rushing on 10 attempts.
Dallas took possession of the football straight away after recovering the opening kickoff. Josh Huff was set to receive for the Eagles, but the kick was short and Chris Polk, the upback, did not see the live ball as it bounced free behind him.
Cowboys safety C.J Spillman did, recovering at the Eagles 18 to put the Cowboys in the red area within striking distance.
Tony Romo found Terrance Williams on a slant toss for an 8 yard gain to the Eagles 6 and the 1st-and-Goal.
DeMarco Murray rushed to the 1, and through the middle behind the fullback into the end zone on the next snap.
Romo is 7-of-12 for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia (9-4) would dribble to a quick three-and-out on their next chance, a 3 play, -2 yard drive, setting up what would be the Cowboys' second scoring possession.
Tony Romo would lead Dallas (9-4) over 88 yards in 16 plays over eight minutes, the longest drive executed against the Eagles this season, including three 3rd-down conversions to Jason Witten.
His 21 yard gainer over center field killed a 3rd-and-7, and his 17 yard catch-and-run put the visitors into Eagles territory. A 3rd-and-3 put the tight end on the Eagles 14.
Romo slung to Cole Beasley at the 6-yard-line, though DeMarco Murray would be stuffed behind the line when Fletcher Cox powered through rookie guard Zack Martin for the tackle, and Romo's pass on 2nd-and-Goal was thrown into the audience.
Though officials threw a very late flag against Cary Williams for illegal contact against Dez Bryant when he pushed the receiver through the back of the end zone, giving the Cowboys another 1st-and-Goal.
Murray carried to the Eagles 3 before Bryant hauled in the 14-0 advantage.
Bryant did not receive a touchdown the last time the two sides met, finishing with 73 yards on 4 receptions.
Philadelphia defeated the Cowboys 33-10 in their last meeting, on Thanksgiving, though fell 24-14 in an uninspired game against Seattle at home. Dallas defeated the Bears on a Thursday night before Sunday's game.
Dallas outgained Philadelphia 127-0 in the first period.
Murray and Dez Bryant snagged a touchdown each as the Cowboys, undefeated on the road this season, held the ball for 12 minutes to the Eagles 3.
DeMarco Murray has 37 yards rushing on 10 attempts.
Dallas took possession of the football straight away after recovering the opening kickoff. Josh Huff was set to receive for the Eagles, but the kick was short and Chris Polk, the upback, did not see the live ball as it bounced free behind him.
Cowboys safety C.J Spillman did, recovering at the Eagles 18 to put the Cowboys in the red area within striking distance.
Tony Romo found Terrance Williams on a slant toss for an 8 yard gain to the Eagles 6 and the 1st-and-Goal.
DeMarco Murray rushed to the 1, and through the middle behind the fullback into the end zone on the next snap.
Romo is 7-of-12 for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia (9-4) would dribble to a quick three-and-out on their next chance, a 3 play, -2 yard drive, setting up what would be the Cowboys' second scoring possession.
Tony Romo would lead Dallas (9-4) over 88 yards in 16 plays over eight minutes, the longest drive executed against the Eagles this season, including three 3rd-down conversions to Jason Witten.
His 21 yard gainer over center field killed a 3rd-and-7, and his 17 yard catch-and-run put the visitors into Eagles territory. A 3rd-and-3 put the tight end on the Eagles 14.
Romo slung to Cole Beasley at the 6-yard-line, though DeMarco Murray would be stuffed behind the line when Fletcher Cox powered through rookie guard Zack Martin for the tackle, and Romo's pass on 2nd-and-Goal was thrown into the audience.
Though officials threw a very late flag against Cary Williams for illegal contact against Dez Bryant when he pushed the receiver through the back of the end zone, giving the Cowboys another 1st-and-Goal.
Murray carried to the Eagles 3 before Bryant hauled in the 14-0 advantage.
Bryant did not receive a touchdown the last time the two sides met, finishing with 73 yards on 4 receptions.
Philadelphia defeated the Cowboys 33-10 in their last meeting, on Thanksgiving, though fell 24-14 in an uninspired game against Seattle at home. Dallas defeated the Bears on a Thursday night before Sunday's game.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Cowboys-Eagles preview
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Chip Kelly likes to keep things simple.
"I think they're going to do what they do, and we're going to do what we do," the Eagles coach said.
"Hopefully we can be as successful again, but I know they're going to give us their best shot. I think that will be a really interesting matchup, their O-line versus our D-line."
It was a matchup decided clearly on Thanksgiving, as the Eagles outrushed the Cowboys 256-93 on their way to a decisive 33-10 victory.
It was an advantage that came as the visiting front-seven overpowered what many believed the best offensive line in football.
DeMarco Murray, the league's leading rusher, was held to a season-worst 73 yards and the team's only touchdown on the day, and Tony Romo threw two interceptions and was sacked four times in that game, their third straight defeat.
But the Cowboys would respond from that skid with a 41-28 showing against the Bears in a Thursday night meeting at Soldier Field.
Romo rebounded with 205 yards and three touchdowns in that game, and did not throw an interception as the Cowboys clinched their first winning season since 2009.
Murray added 179 yards rushing, his season-best, and a touchdown, securing a 100 yard performance in his eleventh appearance for the team this season. He is 167 yards shy of Emmitt Smith's single-season Cowboys rushing record.
A win Sunday night for the Eagles could clinch a postseason appearance as the leaders of the NFC East.
"We know what's at stake. We can't make it bigger than it is," Murray said of the rematch. "We've got to come out and try not to do too much; just stick to our gameplan, stick to our identity of what we've done in the past."
Murray still leads the game's 3rd-best rush attack (149.1 ypg), and in four career games against the Eagles has 278 yards on the ground on 68 attempts for two touchdowns.
And after a slow start, Philadelphia's run game has seen modest improvement in recent weeks. LeSean McCoy had his best game this season with a 159 yard performance on 25 attempts Thanksgiving out of the Eagles' 7th-best backfield (124.1 ypg).
Though the Cowboys may have something to learn from the Seahawks, who handed the Eagles their first home loss this season. The visiting birds outrushed the home birds 188-57 in a game more dominating than its 24-14 score would let on.
McCoy found only 50 yards in 17 rushes against Seattle's third-best run stop.
"They'll look at Seattle's tape and try to do the different things they did," McCoy said of the Cowboys' front, "but also I think they're going to come into this game to try to stop the run. Last time we played them, I'm sure they're not happy about it and they want to make that statement."
Success for the home side will likely come through the air as the Cowboys rank 25th against the pass (251.9 ypg).
In two weeks, Mark Sanchez looked to be two different quarterbacks. He led the Eagles' first two drives Thanksgiving, of 80 and 88 yards, and a quick 14-0 lead that would not be surmounted. He went 20-of-29 in that game, adding a touchdown through the air, and his first-ever on the ground.
Though the following week against the Seahawks, he completed only 10-of-20 against the best pass defense in the league, and his interception near the end would decide it.
Jeremy Maclin leads Eagles receivers with 1,109 yards, and his 10 touchdowns are good for second-most in football. He caught 8 passes for 108 yards on Thanksgiving.
"Obviously, they're going to come prepared," Maclin said of the Cowboys, "and obviously they know what's at stake here. We do as well. What we did to them on Thanksgiving is probably still in the back of their minds, so we're going to prepare for a battle and we don't expect anything less."
Dallas holds a 62-49 all-time record against the Eagles, and a recent three game winning streak until the final regular season game of last season in Texas, a 24-22 Eagles victory that clinched a playoff spot.
"I think they're going to do what they do, and we're going to do what we do," the Eagles coach said.
"Hopefully we can be as successful again, but I know they're going to give us their best shot. I think that will be a really interesting matchup, their O-line versus our D-line."
It was a matchup decided clearly on Thanksgiving, as the Eagles outrushed the Cowboys 256-93 on their way to a decisive 33-10 victory.
It was an advantage that came as the visiting front-seven overpowered what many believed the best offensive line in football.
DeMarco Murray, the league's leading rusher, was held to a season-worst 73 yards and the team's only touchdown on the day, and Tony Romo threw two interceptions and was sacked four times in that game, their third straight defeat.
But the Cowboys would respond from that skid with a 41-28 showing against the Bears in a Thursday night meeting at Soldier Field.
Romo rebounded with 205 yards and three touchdowns in that game, and did not throw an interception as the Cowboys clinched their first winning season since 2009.
Murray added 179 yards rushing, his season-best, and a touchdown, securing a 100 yard performance in his eleventh appearance for the team this season. He is 167 yards shy of Emmitt Smith's single-season Cowboys rushing record.
A win Sunday night for the Eagles could clinch a postseason appearance as the leaders of the NFC East.
"We know what's at stake. We can't make it bigger than it is," Murray said of the rematch. "We've got to come out and try not to do too much; just stick to our gameplan, stick to our identity of what we've done in the past."
Murray still leads the game's 3rd-best rush attack (149.1 ypg), and in four career games against the Eagles has 278 yards on the ground on 68 attempts for two touchdowns.
And after a slow start, Philadelphia's run game has seen modest improvement in recent weeks. LeSean McCoy had his best game this season with a 159 yard performance on 25 attempts Thanksgiving out of the Eagles' 7th-best backfield (124.1 ypg).
Though the Cowboys may have something to learn from the Seahawks, who handed the Eagles their first home loss this season. The visiting birds outrushed the home birds 188-57 in a game more dominating than its 24-14 score would let on.
McCoy found only 50 yards in 17 rushes against Seattle's third-best run stop.
"They'll look at Seattle's tape and try to do the different things they did," McCoy said of the Cowboys' front, "but also I think they're going to come into this game to try to stop the run. Last time we played them, I'm sure they're not happy about it and they want to make that statement."
Success for the home side will likely come through the air as the Cowboys rank 25th against the pass (251.9 ypg).
In two weeks, Mark Sanchez looked to be two different quarterbacks. He led the Eagles' first two drives Thanksgiving, of 80 and 88 yards, and a quick 14-0 lead that would not be surmounted. He went 20-of-29 in that game, adding a touchdown through the air, and his first-ever on the ground.
Though the following week against the Seahawks, he completed only 10-of-20 against the best pass defense in the league, and his interception near the end would decide it.
Jeremy Maclin leads Eagles receivers with 1,109 yards, and his 10 touchdowns are good for second-most in football. He caught 8 passes for 108 yards on Thanksgiving.
"Obviously, they're going to come prepared," Maclin said of the Cowboys, "and obviously they know what's at stake here. We do as well. What we did to them on Thanksgiving is probably still in the back of their minds, so we're going to prepare for a battle and we don't expect anything less."
Dallas holds a 62-49 all-time record against the Eagles, and a recent three game winning streak until the final regular season game of last season in Texas, a 24-22 Eagles victory that clinched a playoff spot.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Cowboys hold back furious Bears rally, 41-28
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Dallas Cowboys held off the Chicago Bears 41-28 at Soldier Field Thursday night.
Not that it came easily.
Trailing 35-7, Chicago (5-8) would rally in the second half, adding three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Jay Cutler found Alshon Jeffery for a 27 yard touchdown 8 seconds into the final session to end an inspired two minute drive begun in the third.
Matt Forte would add a 1 yard touchdown and two-point conversion to bring the Bears within 38-21. He finished with 26 yards on 13 rushes and a lost fumble.
Cutler would rush himself for a third, from 9 yards, after the Bears recovered an onside kick, bringing the home side within 38-28.
After a Cowboys field goal that followed a failed second Bears onside kick, Jay Cutler darted a 14 yard pass to Alshon Jeffery to the Cowboys 45.
But Cutler's throw into the end zone for Josh Morgan with 1:30 left was intercepted by Orlando Scandrick to secure the decision for the Cowboys.
It would be an early deficit that condemned the Bears to defeat.
A deficit that came off a three-touchdown third quarter from the Cowboys.
Tony Romo finished 21-of-26 for 205 yards passing and three touchdowns for Dallas (9-4), who now enjoy a 6-0 record on the road this season, the only team in football yet to lose away from home on the year.
A stretch in which they have a nearly 10-point differential in victory.
"Any time you win, it solves a lot of problems," Romo said afterwards.
Dallas outgained Chicago 82-20 in a slow-moving first quarter against the Bears' 30th-ranked scoring defense, holding Matt Forte to -2 rushing yards.
Chicago gained 84 yards in the first half, 80 of which came on their single scoring drive.
DeMarco Murray rushed 32 times for 179 yards and a touchdown, adding 49 yards on 9 receptions.
He gained 100 yards on the ground for the 11th time in 13 appearances for the Cowboys in their 2014 campaign, and is 219 yards away from finishing the season with 2,000 yards rushing.
"Just being patient," Murray said afterwards of his success. "The offensive line did a great job blocking."
Dallas outrushed Chicago 194-35, courtesy of that front line.
"For him to be able to continue and go produce, it's really special," Tony Romo said of Murray. "This is a special season he's having."
Murray's 1 yard score gave Dallas the early 7-0 lead, touching the ball on the first 9 plays of the 12 play drive, including a 4th-and-1 conversion to the Bears 9.
He finished with the 4th-and-inches score, his 9th touchdown this season.
Cole Beasley caught two touchdowns for Dallas in a span of 3:36, his first a 13 yard catch-and-run over two defensive backs with 8 seconds left in the first half.
Jason Witten featured on that drive, converting a 3rd-and-15 for a 19 yard gain, and again for 7 on a 3rd-and-2.
Beasley scored again at 12:32 in the third, hauling in a wobbly 3rd-and-3 pass from Romo in traffic and diving for the pylon.
"He's been really fantastic," Romo said of Beasley. "He's a tough guy to cover."
Beasley would also recover a failed Bears onside kick in the fourth quarter after the second score of Chicago's comeback bid.
The undrafted receiver finished with 3 receptions, two touchdowns and 42 yards.
Dez Bryant added 82 yards on 6 catches, including a 43 yard reception to the Bears 13 that led to a touchdown.
A touchdown snagged by Gavin Escobar, ending that drive on a 6 yard score and a 28-7 Cowboys lead.
Joseph Randle featured on a 17 yard rush at 2:09 in the third, scampering through traffic and cutting into the secondary, cutting left again and powering for the end zone.
It was Murray again, however, who made that score possible. His 9 yard catch and 27 yard rush through the right guard brought the Cowboys to the Bears 23 before then.
Bears receiver Brandon Marshall left the field in the second quarter and later taken to the hospital in an ambulance with a rib injury.
He was inadvertently kneed in the back and side by safety Barry Church on his 4th-and-7 converting reception to the Cowboys 15.
Marshall tweeted from the hospital, "Thanks for the prayers. . . I'm good."
Jay Cutler would soon after find Martellus Bennett open in the end zone to put the Bears on the board for the first time.
Cutler finished 32-for-46 on 341 yards, two touchdowns and the late interception.
Alshon Jeffery caught 6 passes for 95 yards and Martellus Bennett another 84 yards on 12 receptions and a touchdown.
Dallas has ten days off before visiting the Philadelphia Eagles, to whom they lost 33-10 seven days ago in a much-anticipated Thanksgiving meeting.
Not that it came easily.
Trailing 35-7, Chicago (5-8) would rally in the second half, adding three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Jay Cutler found Alshon Jeffery for a 27 yard touchdown 8 seconds into the final session to end an inspired two minute drive begun in the third.
Matt Forte would add a 1 yard touchdown and two-point conversion to bring the Bears within 38-21. He finished with 26 yards on 13 rushes and a lost fumble.
Cutler would rush himself for a third, from 9 yards, after the Bears recovered an onside kick, bringing the home side within 38-28.
After a Cowboys field goal that followed a failed second Bears onside kick, Jay Cutler darted a 14 yard pass to Alshon Jeffery to the Cowboys 45.
But Cutler's throw into the end zone for Josh Morgan with 1:30 left was intercepted by Orlando Scandrick to secure the decision for the Cowboys.
It would be an early deficit that condemned the Bears to defeat.
A deficit that came off a three-touchdown third quarter from the Cowboys.
Tony Romo finished 21-of-26 for 205 yards passing and three touchdowns for Dallas (9-4), who now enjoy a 6-0 record on the road this season, the only team in football yet to lose away from home on the year.
A stretch in which they have a nearly 10-point differential in victory.
"Any time you win, it solves a lot of problems," Romo said afterwards.
Dallas outgained Chicago 82-20 in a slow-moving first quarter against the Bears' 30th-ranked scoring defense, holding Matt Forte to -2 rushing yards.
Chicago gained 84 yards in the first half, 80 of which came on their single scoring drive.
DeMarco Murray rushed 32 times for 179 yards and a touchdown, adding 49 yards on 9 receptions.
He gained 100 yards on the ground for the 11th time in 13 appearances for the Cowboys in their 2014 campaign, and is 219 yards away from finishing the season with 2,000 yards rushing.
"Just being patient," Murray said afterwards of his success. "The offensive line did a great job blocking."
Dallas outrushed Chicago 194-35, courtesy of that front line.
"For him to be able to continue and go produce, it's really special," Tony Romo said of Murray. "This is a special season he's having."
Murray's 1 yard score gave Dallas the early 7-0 lead, touching the ball on the first 9 plays of the 12 play drive, including a 4th-and-1 conversion to the Bears 9.
He finished with the 4th-and-inches score, his 9th touchdown this season.
Cole Beasley caught two touchdowns for Dallas in a span of 3:36, his first a 13 yard catch-and-run over two defensive backs with 8 seconds left in the first half.
Jason Witten featured on that drive, converting a 3rd-and-15 for a 19 yard gain, and again for 7 on a 3rd-and-2.
Beasley scored again at 12:32 in the third, hauling in a wobbly 3rd-and-3 pass from Romo in traffic and diving for the pylon.
"He's been really fantastic," Romo said of Beasley. "He's a tough guy to cover."
Beasley would also recover a failed Bears onside kick in the fourth quarter after the second score of Chicago's comeback bid.
The undrafted receiver finished with 3 receptions, two touchdowns and 42 yards.
Dez Bryant added 82 yards on 6 catches, including a 43 yard reception to the Bears 13 that led to a touchdown.
A touchdown snagged by Gavin Escobar, ending that drive on a 6 yard score and a 28-7 Cowboys lead.
Joseph Randle featured on a 17 yard rush at 2:09 in the third, scampering through traffic and cutting into the secondary, cutting left again and powering for the end zone.
It was Murray again, however, who made that score possible. His 9 yard catch and 27 yard rush through the right guard brought the Cowboys to the Bears 23 before then.
Bears receiver Brandon Marshall left the field in the second quarter and later taken to the hospital in an ambulance with a rib injury.
He was inadvertently kneed in the back and side by safety Barry Church on his 4th-and-7 converting reception to the Cowboys 15.
Marshall tweeted from the hospital, "Thanks for the prayers. . . I'm good."
Jay Cutler would soon after find Martellus Bennett open in the end zone to put the Bears on the board for the first time.
Cutler finished 32-for-46 on 341 yards, two touchdowns and the late interception.
Alshon Jeffery caught 6 passes for 95 yards and Martellus Bennett another 84 yards on 12 receptions and a touchdown.
Dallas has ten days off before visiting the Philadelphia Eagles, to whom they lost 33-10 seven days ago in a much-anticipated Thanksgiving meeting.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Cowboys handling Bears 35-7 after 3rd
CHICAGO, Ill. - Tony Romo added his third touchdown and Cole Beasley his second as the Dallas Cowboys enjoy a 35-7 lead over the Chicago Bears after three quarters Thursday night.
Gavin Escobar added a 6 yard score to end a 4 play drive over two minutes for Dallas (8-4).
Joseph Randle made an appearance in the Cowboys backfield, dancing for a 17 yard score and a four-touchdown advantage for the visitors.
Tony Romo is 21-of-25 for 205 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Dez Bryant has 82 yards on 6 receptions and back DeMarco Murray added 49 yards on 9 catches.
Things went badly straight away for the Bears (5-7) out of the halftime intermission.
Trailing 14-7 into the third session, Matt Forte fumbled a 21 yard screen catch-and-run when Anthony Spencer stripped the Bears back of possession in the resulting tackle attempt.
The ball bounced from the grasp of safety Barry Church into the hands of Sterling Moore Dallas at the Bears 48 and returned the other way 17 yards to the Bears 31.
And for the second time on the night, the undrafted Cole Beasley was found in the end zone.
Two of his three receptions were touchdowns on 42 total yards.
On the Cowboys' succeeding possession, Romo repsonded on 3rd-and-3, chased out of the pocket right, and floating a 24 yard wobbler to Cole Beasley in traffic inside the Bears 5, and leaping forward for the pylon.
DeMarco Murray has rushed 24 times for 116 yards, as the Cowboys outrushed the Bears 133-20. Matt Forte rushed for 21 yards for Chicago, after gaining 6 yards on 5 attempts last week in Detroit.
Murray has gained 100 yards rushing for the 11th time in 13 appearances for Dallas this season.
Forte's long on the night went for 7 yards.
Cutler converted a 3rd-and-5 to Martellus Bennett on their second drive, though a holding call against Michael Ola took the first-down off the board.
The resultant 3rd-and-15 play found Cutler's pass in the flat deflected by Henry Melton when the tackle broke free through the formation at the Bears 5.
Dwayne Harris returned the succeeding punt for what was believed a 45 yard touchdown before Micah Pellerin was found guilty of an illegal block to the back.
Tony Romo responded immediately, finding Dez Bryant for a 44 yard reception after the receiver split in-between Kyle Fuller and Chris Conte to the Bears 13.
Murray rushed the following snap around left end to the Bears 6, and on 2nd-and-2 was stuffed after dancing east-to-west into a tackle out of bounds for a 1 yard loss.
The extra yard would not matter as Romo found Gavin Escobar trailing in the back of the end zone for the three-score lead. That, after ample time in the pocket from a Bears defensive front that was losing their will.
The score was Escobar's 3rd of the season.
With three minutes left in the quarter, it was DeMarco Murray time for Dallas.
Murray powered through the Bears line for a 27 yard carry, going left then cutting right when a lane open through the middle. He scurried down the far sideline to the Bears 24.
He barrelled for another 6 yards through the middle on the next play before Joseph Randle finished the job, cutting twice inside the formation, shooting through a gap 17 yards for the 35-7 Cowboys lead.
Jay Cutler finished three quarters on 158 yards passing, completing 16-of-24 pass attempts.
The two sides entered the halftime break with a 14-7 lead to the Cowboys, off DeMarco Murray rushing and Cole Beasley catching for touchdowns.
Martellus Bennet capped off an 80 yard Bears drive in the second quarter with a 12 yard touchdown reception. Brandon Marshall was injured on the drive, sustaining an injury to his ribs on a 4th-and-7 conversion.
Gavin Escobar added a 6 yard score to end a 4 play drive over two minutes for Dallas (8-4).
Joseph Randle made an appearance in the Cowboys backfield, dancing for a 17 yard score and a four-touchdown advantage for the visitors.
Tony Romo is 21-of-25 for 205 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Dez Bryant has 82 yards on 6 receptions and back DeMarco Murray added 49 yards on 9 catches.
Things went badly straight away for the Bears (5-7) out of the halftime intermission.
Trailing 14-7 into the third session, Matt Forte fumbled a 21 yard screen catch-and-run when Anthony Spencer stripped the Bears back of possession in the resulting tackle attempt.
The ball bounced from the grasp of safety Barry Church into the hands of Sterling Moore Dallas at the Bears 48 and returned the other way 17 yards to the Bears 31.
And for the second time on the night, the undrafted Cole Beasley was found in the end zone.
Two of his three receptions were touchdowns on 42 total yards.
On the Cowboys' succeeding possession, Romo repsonded on 3rd-and-3, chased out of the pocket right, and floating a 24 yard wobbler to Cole Beasley in traffic inside the Bears 5, and leaping forward for the pylon.
DeMarco Murray has rushed 24 times for 116 yards, as the Cowboys outrushed the Bears 133-20. Matt Forte rushed for 21 yards for Chicago, after gaining 6 yards on 5 attempts last week in Detroit.
Murray has gained 100 yards rushing for the 11th time in 13 appearances for Dallas this season.
Forte's long on the night went for 7 yards.
Cutler converted a 3rd-and-5 to Martellus Bennett on their second drive, though a holding call against Michael Ola took the first-down off the board.
The resultant 3rd-and-15 play found Cutler's pass in the flat deflected by Henry Melton when the tackle broke free through the formation at the Bears 5.
Dwayne Harris returned the succeeding punt for what was believed a 45 yard touchdown before Micah Pellerin was found guilty of an illegal block to the back.
Tony Romo responded immediately, finding Dez Bryant for a 44 yard reception after the receiver split in-between Kyle Fuller and Chris Conte to the Bears 13.
Murray rushed the following snap around left end to the Bears 6, and on 2nd-and-2 was stuffed after dancing east-to-west into a tackle out of bounds for a 1 yard loss.
The extra yard would not matter as Romo found Gavin Escobar trailing in the back of the end zone for the three-score lead. That, after ample time in the pocket from a Bears defensive front that was losing their will.
The score was Escobar's 3rd of the season.
With three minutes left in the quarter, it was DeMarco Murray time for Dallas.
Murray powered through the Bears line for a 27 yard carry, going left then cutting right when a lane open through the middle. He scurried down the far sideline to the Bears 24.
He barrelled for another 6 yards through the middle on the next play before Joseph Randle finished the job, cutting twice inside the formation, shooting through a gap 17 yards for the 35-7 Cowboys lead.
Jay Cutler finished three quarters on 158 yards passing, completing 16-of-24 pass attempts.
The two sides entered the halftime break with a 14-7 lead to the Cowboys, off DeMarco Murray rushing and Cole Beasley catching for touchdowns.
Martellus Bennet capped off an 80 yard Bears drive in the second quarter with a 12 yard touchdown reception. Brandon Marshall was injured on the drive, sustaining an injury to his ribs on a 4th-and-7 conversion.
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