Ranking The Dallas Cowboys 2014 Games; Part Two
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett congratulates quarterback Tony Romo (9) after the game against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
5: Week 14 | Dallas Cowboys 41-28 Chicago Bears
The Cowboys entered Week 14 has favourites. They were surprisingly 9-4 with the Bears disappointing at 5-8. Nevertheless, Chicago is a tough place to go and the fact the Cowboys had lost the previous three occasions against the Bears meant this game wasn’t a given.
The Cowboys made it into half time with a 14-7 lead before Cole Beasley, Gavin Escobar and Joseph Randle had a touchdown each in the third to put the Cowboys to 35-7. The Dallas defense were obviously confident the game was won as they switched off and allowed a flurry of fourth quarter touchdowns. It did put the frighteners on fans temporarily and the fact the Bears scored 28 points would make it sound like they gave the Cowboys a game, but that wasn’t the case.
Murray had a career high 41 touches, rushing 32 times for 179 yards and 9 receptions for 49 yards. Protecting Romo was vital coming into the season and the Cowboys did that by using Murray to the absolute max.
4: Week 17 | Dallas Cowboys 44-17 Washington Redskins
we have basically torn it up in December
Once Zack Martin was drafted in the first round by the Cowboys last year, fans and media alike have dubbed the offensive line as The Great Wall part two. But this game perhaps signalled the emergence of our new triplets with single season records set. DeMarco Murray broke Emmitt Smith‘s most rushing yards in a year record. Dez Bryant‘s first quarter touchdown saw him leapfrog Terrell Owens for most touchdowns in a season. Then of course there’s Tony Romo the perennial December choker who led the team to a 4-0 month.
"“Right before people’s eyes, we have basically torn it up in December”- Jerry Jones"
On the back of such a resounding win it just highlights how frustrating the Week 8 loss against Washington was.
3: Week 3| Dallas Cowboys 34-31 St Louis Rams
Midway through the second quarter and the Cowboys trail the 1-2 Rams by 21 to zip. Murray fumbled, Romo threw an interception it was all going horribly wrong. Nothing was going our way, and even when trailing by three scores the Cowboys stuck with the run game. And it worked.
This game marked the start of a new style of team. It’s been a long time since you’d consider the Cowboys a run first team. It would have been all too easy to look to Romo to perform a miracle to turn the game around or simply blame him for any loss. At the time of the Rams third touchdown Murray had just three yards from five carries. And yet they kept on running.
"“They trust the offensive line, they trust myself to give us a few yards and get stuff going. That’s what it’s all about.”- DeMarco Murray"
In just three weeks of football the Cowboys suffered a horrible loss to the 49ers, a comfortable win at the Titans and this rollercoaster comeback against the Rams. This is a team with a new found determination and will to win. The win against the Redskins was greater and against the Giants more comfortable, but this game just highlights the character the team showed this season, so for me it’s one of our best games.
"“The identity that we’re creating, we want it. We want it to be strong. We want the world to know who we are.”- Dez Bryant"
Next: Top 2 Games Of The Year