Dallas Cowboys: The Masters Of Adversity
By Renny Mason
You heard him. We all heard him. According to Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager, Jerry Jones, we were facing an “uphill battle” in 2014. We were not supposed to be relevant. We were not supposed to win.
USA Today had the Cowboys finishing 3-13, and therefore residing in the NFC East basement. This season was doomed before we even put on pads for training camp in July. We were destined to face adversity.
Evidently, the Dallas Cowboys’ players, coaches and staff didn’t get the memo. Head coach Jason Garrett was determined for his guys to “finish the fight.” No distractions. Just ourselves.
We faced adversity as early as Week 1 vs. the San Francisco 49ers. The sky in Dallas was falling. “Same old Romo.” “Same old Cowboys.” The 49ers beat us 28-17 and the score didn’t seem that close. All the national pundits were right. Get ready for a long season in Dallas.
The response from that Week 1 meltdown? A six-game winning streak: an occurrence not seen around these parts since 2007.
Was there still adversity? Sure. After all, it’s the “Cardiac Cowboys” we’re talking about.
Week 3 vs. the St. Louis Rams. Down 21-0. “See, I told ya, same old Cowboys.” Not quite. Cowboys pull off one of their greatest comebacks in franchise history in the 34-31 win.
Week 5 vs. the Houston Texans, with yours truly in attendance. Dallas allows Houston to score 10 unanswered points to force overtime. What happened next? Wide Receiver Dez Bryant did his Dez Bryant thing, and kicker Dan “Money” Bailey does not miss twice with the game on the line. Maybe next time little brother.
Week 6 vs. the Seattle Seahawks. Much like the 2012 match-up, we took the first punch. Down 10-0 to the heavy-weight champ. Unlike the 2012 match-up, we responded to that initial blow. We fought back. We silenced Seattle to the tune of 30-23 with a game-clinching interception by linebacker Rolando McClain. Knock out.
Week 12 vs. the New York Giants. We could have easily proven we were the “same old 8-8 Cowboys.” We allow New York to take the lead 28-24 with only minutes remaining.
This time, we proved otherwise. Quarterback Tony Romo did his Tony Romo thing. The Dallas offensive line protected No. 9 for roughly 30 minutes in the pocket, and Romo to Dez results in 31-28 Cowboys.
Week 15. the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas goes up 21-0 early and the rout is on. Nope, we know better. That three touchdown lead turns turned into a 24-21 Philly lead and the “same old Cowboys” were showing themselves again. But again, we proved that we can “finish the fight.” And we did just that. Cowboys 38. Eagles 27. Revenge was served…cold.
Wild Card Sunday vs. the Detroit Lions. Romo and Co. faced adverse conditions from the very start. We got their best shot in the first half. The result was a 17-7 Lions lead at the break.
After an inexplicable missed Bailey field goal, we fall behind 20-7 in the 3rd quarter. “Same old Cowboys.” “One and done in the playoffs.” “Can’t win the big one.” “Tony Romo chokes when it matter most.”
Not this year. Not this team. Not this Tony Romo. Cowboys win their NFL record 34th playoff game in franchise history. The first playoff victory when trailing by 10 or more points at the half. And next week, we have a date with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers.
Time and time again, we have proven we’re not the “same old Cowboys.” Time and time again, we have proven we can indeed “finish the fight.” We have changed our perception. We have bought in to Jason Garrett’s “process.” We are slowly making believers out of the national pundits.
And perhaps best of all, we’re making life just miserable for fans who loathe “America’ Team.” The 2014 edition of the Dallas Cowboys have been indeed a fan’s dream, but a hater’s nightmare.
On Sunday, we continued to fight. On Sunday, we continued to finish. Next Sunday, we do it all over again. On to the Pack. Troops, Mount Up!