10. Let’s be honest, Tony Romo just threw it up and Dez Bryant went up and turned it into a leaping, juggling, highlight-film, game-winning, 37-yard catch. Could just have easily been another clutch interception by the quarterback. Dez delivered. And the Cowboys escaped. Only thing worse than coughing up a late 10-point lead to Texans would be a heaping dose of Ebola.
9. Been to every Cowboys’ game at AT&T Stadium and that’s as loud of a visiting crowd I’ve heard. The first half sounded like Texas/OU at the Cotton Bowl, with the fans split 50/50. Said Arian Foster as he ran off the field after his touchdown, “This is our house!” Not quite. But close.
8. The Cowboys’ defense has been much better than expected. But at the end of the game you saw how much they rely on middle linebacker Rolando McClain. When he went out with a strained groin, the Texans gashed them up the gut. Credit Justin Durant with fantastic coverage that forced an incompletion and a Texans’ punt in OT. That’s two straight games the Cowboys haven’t allowed a first-half point. Never thought I’d type that stat in this season.
7. Considering how the Astros wrestled the coveted Silver Boot from the Rangers this season, it would’ve been a bitter Texas pill to have had the Cowboys lose to Houston as well. But sleep well tonight my friends, Dallas still possesses the sacred Governor’s Cup.
6. The Texans’ Ryan Fitzpatrick has a similar beard and the same number. But, nope, he’s no Dan Fouts.
5. So C.J. Spillman gets accused of sexual assault during the week and then commits not one, not two, but three penalties on special teams. Jimmy Johnson wouldn’t cut DeMarco Murray for his continuous fumbles, but he would make Spillman an ex-Cowboy come Monday morning. If not sooner.
4. The Cowboys are 4-1. NFL teams that start 4-1 have a 77% chance of making the playoffs. And historically the Cowboys have made the postseason in 13 of 15 years they’ve won four of their first five. So far, so good.
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3. Dan Bailey was long enough, but too much left on his potential game-winner from 53 on regulation’s final play. But he didn’t flinch on his game-winning 49-yarder in OT. Surprised that Jason Garrett sent him out on third down rather than getting a little closer, but the dude calmly split the uprights. Said Garrett of his kicker, “Guy’s pretty damn good.” Weird decision. Wonderful result.
2. Garrett got away with a couple of fundamental blunders. When the Texans were driving for the tying score he failed to use his timeouts. Cowboys could have had an extra :43 to work with on their final possession of regulation. Without that time they had to settle for Bailey’s missed 53-yard field goal that forced overtime. If Dan or Dez didn’t bail him out, Garrett would be on the hook for a horrendous loss. Still, the Cowboys under Garrett are now 6-2 in OT. Go figure.
1. A fumble and an interception in the Red Zone. A dropped pass at Houston’s 1. An abortion of a 2-minute, potential game-salting drive that included two penalties. Yet somehow the Cowboys won a game they deserved to lose. You don’t get to say that a lot in the NFL. Whew!
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
