The Landry Hat
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Can Cowboys serve revenge colder than Lambeau’s frozen tundra?

By Robert H. Carroll

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will the Dallas Cowboys revenge for two years of disappointment versus the Green Bay Packers be satisfied this Sunday on Lambeau Field?

Revenge – the dish best served cold is going to be handed to quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Except, not really. The 2014 NFL Playoffs provided us with an epic battle of two teams with a 12 – 4 record. Our Dallas Cowboys finished with a perfect 8 – 0 road game record and the Packers were 8 – 0 at home. One of those things were going to be broken. Revenge.

Personally, I don’t watch replays of games that the Cowboys didn’t win – but the box score is fair game. 2014 marked the Cowboys return to winning games with power football. A dominant offensive line leading the way for running back DeMarco Murray to become the NFL’s leading rusher. As defenses put extra men in the box to stop Murray, it allowed quarterback Tony Romo, wide receiver Dez Bryant and future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten to beat single coverage in the passing game. Revenge.

This article needs some numbers – let’s talk 12 – 4. One of those losses – against the Arizona Cardinals – happened on quarterback Brandon Weeden‘s watch. Tony Romo’s record that season was 12 – 3 and he showed once again why that’s my quarterback. He finished the season completing 69.9% of his passes, 435 attempts with 304 completions, 3,705 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. We finally won close games – Mr. Clutch – had 5 game winning drives. Revenge.

Bryant led the team with 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns. Witten was second with 64 receptions, 703 yards and 5 touchdowns. Who was third in receptions? Murray – he added another 416 yards on 57 receptions in addition to the 1,845 yards on 392 carries. Our offense finished 5th in points scored and 7th in yards gained – that’s normal for Cowboy Nation. Revenge.

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It seemed the Cowboys might get the job done and bring home that 6th Lombardi (Super Bowl trophy) with an average defense that ranked 15th in points allowed. Our defense allowed 4,031 passing yards – the 26th ranked passing defense didn’t help us against Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field. Revenge.

We forget the Cowboys were leading 21 – 13. We forget the defense allowed the Packers to have a seven play, 90 yard drive in 2:31 seconds allowing a 46 yard touchdown on 3rd and 15. Instead of leaning on our powerful running attack, the Cowboys had a horrible five play drive that consisted of four straight passing plays, two of which were sacks. The Packers returned to have an eight play, 80 yard drive to take a 26 – 21 point lead.

This lead to – The Catch That Wasn’t – one completion equals a game changer. Romo went 15 of 19 for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. Four incompletions – one of them was The Catch That Wasn’t. It was a bold call that showed trust in Romo and Bryant. 4th and 2 on Green Bay’s 32 yard line with slightly less than five minutes in the game and a porous defense – a quick strike wasn’t necessary.

Ideally, a touchdown with one second remaining would have been best. Bryant’s contribution for the day – 3 receptions for 38 yards – 0 touchdowns. Does that explain the extra effort Bryant used to attempt to score? He clearly had two hands on the ball. Was throwing up the X during a playoff game that important?

I simply don’t like the Packers because they aren’t the Cowboys.

  • I want to blame offensive coordinator Scott Linehan for calling that play instead of relying on the NFL’s leading rusher.
  • I want to blame Bryant for not securing the ball and trying to score.
  • I want to blame forgotten mistakes and missed scoring opportunities.
  • I want to blame kicker Dan Bailey, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, for his missed field goal that could’ve led to a 17 – 7 point lead at halftime.
  • I want to blame Murray’s fumble that stopped us from leading 24 – 10 early in the third quarter.

Having the Cowboys sit at 5 – 1 after a win against the Packers on Sunday will feel outstanding. Will revenge be served with a Cowboys victory this Sunday? Nope, too much is different. It’s not a – Win or Go Home – situation. It’s a different team with different players and different circumstances.

Next: Dallas Cowboys @ Packers: Five Players to Watch

This week is just another game in a grueling NFL season. However, if we lose this week and face the Packers again in the playoffs – I hope Cowboy Nation will break out the good china and silverware to serve up revenge colder than Lambeau’s frozen tundra.

#GoCowboys

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