QUICK OUT: Dallas Cowboys Look Back At The 2012 Season
By Todd Toombs
So, I was fixing my toaster oven the other day and somehow stumbled across the solution to the whole “time-space continuum” question. With enough voltage, time travel is in fact possible and amazingly easy!
Being the rabid Cowboys fan that I am and looking forward once again to this coming season, the first thing I wanted to know of course was how did the 2012 season turn out for the ‘Boys? Spoiler alert! But, here is a game-by-game recap.
Cowboys vs Giants – September 5, 2012
DeMarco Murray delivered some payback for his 2011 injury against the Giants rushing for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Romo was sharp and threw for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns – one to Dez Bryant, a beautiful 36-yard post pattern threaded between the safety and the DB, and one to Jason Witten in the red zone. Defensively, the secondary is still a work in progress as Manning threw for 3 touchdowns and over 300 yards passing but Brandon Carr got his first interception as a Cowboy. In the end, the Cowboys get off on the right foot with a 31-27 victory.
Cowboys vs Seahawks – September 16, 2012
New, flashy uniforms, the “12th man” home field advantage in Seattle, Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, and newly signed QB Matt Flynn all give the Seahawks momentum coming into this matchup. But, with Flynn still getting comfortable in his new surroundings, he struggles against Rob Ryan’s defense while Lynch finds the going tough The Cowboys cruise to a fairly easy victory. They jumped out to a 21-3 lead and then held off a late charge to win 28-17. Cowboys are 2-0.
Redskins vs Cowboys – September 24, 2012
Another Monday Night Football home opener and a classic matchup between the Cowboys and the RGIII-led Redskins. The Cowboys first look at the rookie Griffin is an eye opener. He throws for 220 yards and a touchdown to new Redskin receiver Pierre Garcon. He also runs for another 80 yards and runs in himself for a score. But, the home crowd, a stiff red-zone defense, and the Cowboys balanced offense proved too much for the Redskins. Cowboys pull out a late win with a Dan Bailey field goal 20-17. They are now 3-0.
Cowboys vs Bengals – September 30, 2012
The third road game in the first four proves to be a tough one for the Cowboys. The resurgent Bengals led by Andy Dalton, aka the Red Rifle, abuses the Cowboys secondary. They struggle after Mike Jenkins goes down with a knee injury in the first quarter. Dalton torches them for 322 yards and 3 touchdowns – 2 to 2nd year phenom A.J. Green. On offense, Romo has his first sub-par performance of the season with a QBR of 81, 2 interceptions, and a pick six. DeMarco Murray is only able to generate 64 yards on the ground as the Cowboys abandon the run. Cowboys lose big 31-14 but are still 3-1.
Browns vs Cowboys – October 7, 2012
DeMarco Murray bounces back and explodes on the Browns for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns. Romo adds another 290 yards and 2 touchdowns – one to rarely mentioned Kevin Ogletree and a 72-yard pass to Austin Miles. Colt McCoy is sacked 4 times and is picked off twice – one by Brandon Carr and one by Sean Lee. This one is really never close and the Cowboys move to 4-1 with a 34-10 win.
Bears vs Cowboys – October 15, 2012
Another Monday night appearance for the Cowboys and this one turns into a classic defensive battle. Both offenses struggle to move the ball and several drives stall inside the 20. It’s a battle of field goals until Matt Forte breaks free for a 24-yard score late in the 4th quarter. Miles Austin goes out in the 2nd quarter with his annual hamstring strain and Romo is sacked 4 times. He also throws 2 more interceptions – one a meaningless hail mary pass at the end of the first half. But, the second one came as the Cowboys were driving for a potential tying score. They reached the Bears 42 yard line when Lance Briggs stepped in front of a pass intended for Witten. Game over. The Bears emerge with a hard-won victory 16-9 and the Cowboys drop to 4-2.
Cowboys vs Falcons – October 21, 2012
With Miles Austin out, the Cowboys decide to pound the rock behind DeMarco Murray and he delivers with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. That also helped open up the passing game in the 2nd half as the offensive line managed to keep Romo upright long enough to deliver 245 yards passing, a touchdown throw to Jason Witten, and another to Felix Jones who took a screen pass 28 yards to pay dirt. Rob Ryan decides to get aggressive on defense and sacks Matt Ryan 5 times – three for DeMarcus Ware alone who has a monster game. The Cowboys get out of Atlanta with a key win, 27-20 and move to 5-2.
Eagles vs Cowboys – October 28, 2012
The Eagles come to Cowboys Stadium for a Sunday Night Football matchup with their division rivals. Despite getting beat badly in both games last season, the Cowboys make a game of this one. They chase Mike Vick all over the field but he manages to connect with DeSean Jackson for 2 long scores with Mike Jenkins still out of the lineup. And, LeSean McCoy hits the Cowboys with 112 hard-earned yards and a score. They put up a heroic effort but fall short as Dan Bailey’s last second, 48-yard field goal sails wide left. Cowboys lose a heartbreaker 30-28 and fall to 5-3 a game back in the division of both the Eagles and the Giants.
At this point, my toast popped up and I was transported back to the present day. I’m going to try and get back to where I was so I can see what happened in the 2nd half of the season. They still have home games against the Giants, Steelers, and Bucs, and a Thanksgiving Day rematch with the Saints. Road games include the Panthers, Ravens, and division foes Eagles and Redskins. From what I was able to see, the Cowboys are in decent shape at the halfway point. But, they are in third place in the division and the dreaded December Disaster lies ahead! To be continued….I hope!
By the way, they took Alabama safety Mark Barron with the 14th pick.
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