10. Just when you’re ready to label him a “bust” and change his name to “Slow” Claiborne, the third-year cornerback makes his biggest play as a Cowboy. The interception of Austin Davis in the final minutes sealed Dallas’ dramatic rally from down 21-0. Beaten on a touchdown by Brian Quick. Embarrassed on a long reception by Kenny Britt. Missed tackles. An illegal contact penalty in the end zone. Claiborne’s day was still awful, but his climax was magnificent.
9. Dan Bailey is more automatic than any kicker in Cowboys’ history. That’s 28 field goals in a row, a franchise record.
8. Referees were atrocious. They somehow missed a clear tripping penalty on Janoris Jenkins that led to a DeMarco Murray fumble. They awarded the Cowboys a key first down on a “blow to the head” penalty although Tony Romo’s noggin was barely grazed. And the Cowboys got the biggest break of the day when Eugene Sims was called for defensive holding of Terrance Williams as the Cowboys tried to run out the clock. Romo was sacked at the 9 on the play, which would’ve prompted 3rd and 21 and Dallas leading by three at around the two-minute warning. Instead, they got a first down out at the 25 and moved the ball enough to punt the Rams at their own 14 on the final, futile possession.
7. Nice to see other team’s players shoving and barking on the sideline, huh? Though, yes, we did get the obligatory and animated “throw it to me” outburst from Dez Bryant.
6. Cowboys have won back-to-back road games. Last time you read that stat it was 2009, last time they made the playoffs.
5. Blue jerseys? No worries. Including last year’s Thanksgiving victory over Raiders, Cowboys now have a three-game winning streak in their traditional blues including both wins this season.
4. Last week I chastised Romo for his lack of mobility at Tennessee, but he was his old, er, former nimble self on Sunday. Trailing by four and facing 3rd and 13 at their own 13, Romo scrambled up the middle and juked linebacker Alec Ogletree out of his jack strap for a 16-yard gain on a drive that would eventually give his team their first lead.
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3. I know Rams’ coach Jeff Fisher was trying to send a message to his offense and his fans by playing ultra-aggressive. But with his team’s lead whittled from 21 to four and facing 4th down and 1 from Dallas’ 15 midway through the third quarter, he passed on a chip-shot field goal that would’ve given his team a 7-point lead. The result? Cowboys’ rookie Anthony Hitchens stopped Zac Stacy’s run and Dallas earned a key stop in its comeback.
2. Don’t look now, but Bruce Carter is suddenly a playmaker. The Cowboys drafted him in the second round because of his athleticism and it’s finally paying dividends. His interception for a touchdown sealed the deal
1. Admit it, at 21-0 you were throwing the remote and kicking the dog and dusting off the “Get rid of Romo!” refrain. But the quarterback was brilliant after his second-quarter pick six to Jenkins, going 12 of 15 for 172 and two scores in helping the Cowboys to their biggest comeback in franchise history. Never in 878 regular season had they rallied from a 21-point deficit to win in regulation. Before Sunday, that is.
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.
