IRVING, Texas - Now this is what the Cowboys had in mind, offensively. Games like this are what we've been waiting for all along.
Before we get started, let's all be clear that Seattle limped into Texas Stadium on a short week with the 31st ranked defense. And let's also mention just how bad of a football team the Seahawks have been this year, now dropping to a dismal 2-10 record.
Ok, with that out of the way, we can now get to this Cowboys' offense. Despite a mid-game lull, when it appeared the Cowboys started to daydream of their turkey dinner, this offense finally started to show some glimpses of what we are all expecting en route to an easy 34-9 Thanksgiving Day win over the Seahawks.
For the first time since the addition of Roy Williams, the Cowboys finally showed just how unstoppable this offense can really be.
Yes, I will keep prefacing that this comes against a depleted and undermanned Seahawks defense, but still, the Cowboys did what you're supposed to do against a team like this - pound them, dominate them and embarrass them.
The Cowboys basically did all three and did it with an offensive attack that got everyone involved.
"Offensively, we threw the ball really well," head coach Wade Phillips said, referring to the Cowboys racking up 331 passing yards. "We spread it out to a lot of different people. I thought Tony (Romo) had a really good game. I think we are starting to hit our stride. We've got a lot of weapons. Roy Williams (two catches, 51 yards) made another big play for us. Martellus Bennett scores a touchdown every game. We have a lot of weapons and our quarterback can get the ball to them."
In that first half Thursday, Romo could do, and did, just about anything he wanted.
He went deep, attacked the intermediate routes and dumped it off short when it was needed. Romo got Terrell Owens involved, Jason Witten, too. Williams made plays, so did Bennett and Patrick Crayton.
That was evident in the first half when the Cowboys came out and did the one thing they had to do Thursday - jump out on the Seahawks from the start.
The first two drives were a clinic, with Romo teaching the course. Right out of the gate, the Cowboys go five plays, 71 yards with a touchdown pass to Bennett of 16 yards. But it was Owens for nine and Witten for 36 to set up the score.
The Cowboys get it right back and it's more of the same. Romo runs for 15, connects with Witten for 11 and then Williams for 13. Marion Barber rushes for 17 yards and then later scored from two yards out.
His touchdown run was another perfect example that defenses just can't cover everyone.
On a first-down run from the one, the Cowboys took both wide receivers out and used a three-tight end set. The Seahawks obviously stacked the line and stuffed Barber for a one-yard loss. But on the next play, back at the two, the Cowboys inserted both Owens and Williams back on the field. They both spread out wide, along with Witten, leaving Barber as the lone back. With a spread offense, Barber was barely touched as he went into the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
You've got guys like Owens, Williams and now Bennett, a recent touchdown-scoring machine, who can all run the fade route. And even Witten can use his body to create passing lanes down near the goal line. When the Cowboys do that, and then run Barber up the middle, you can't stop that.
And let's put a little credit to that offensive line, too. Montrae Holland seemed pretty comfortable playing left guard. It looks like he will be in that spot for the rest of the season unless something drastically changes. But the Cowboys did whatever they wanted up front. They ran the ball when they needed to, but mostly the passing game was there and the Cowboys capitalized.
"We have a lot of options in this offense," Romo said. "When you've got that, and your offensive line gives you time, you can just wait a little longer (in the play) for something to develop. I think we did that."
Last week against the 49ers, it appeared that Romo and Williams were still not on the same page. And while the former Lions receiver only had two catches Thursday, you can start to see just what kind of difference-maker he can be.
With 51 receiving yards against Seattle, Williams was a factor. And if there was one play that proved that point more than any other, it occurred late in the first quarter on the Cowboys' third offensive possession.
Already leading 14-3, the Cowboys were looking for more and Romo found Owens over the middle for a 26-yard crossing route. But that play was possible because of the clear-out Williams provided with his pure deep speed.
On that play, the Cowboys lined up both receivers on the right side, with Owens outside and Williams in the slot. To no surprise, the Seahawks were playing a deep safety to give help on Marcus Trufant, who lined up on Owens. But the Cowboys took away Seattle's deep help when Williams attacked the safety deep by streaking right down the middle of the field. Once Owens was able to get open, the middle of the field was wide open. Just another example of a player making the play happen, without touching the ball.
Later in the game, Williams ran a similar play with no safety help. This time, Romo connected on a perfect pass to the wide receiver for a 38-yard gain down the middle of the field.
We still haven't seen Williams go off just yet. Last week Owens had his best day as a Cowboy with 213 yards and finished Thursday with 98 yards - just a dropped slant pass in the fourth quarter away from his second straight 100-yard game.
Witten had his best game since his rib injury a month ago, catching nine passes for 115 yards. Since the Tampa Bay game, Witten had just a combined four catches for 53 yards in four games.
It's safe to say he's back. But Witten said it doesn't mean he will have another huge game next week. In fact, the tight end said it might be time for Williams or Crayton to have a breakout performance.
"It's a different guy every week and you just need to stay within it and not get upset or frustrated," Witten said. "All of us want the ball and you just have to stay within the system and make those plays when it comes your way."
It came Witten's way on Thursday. It was Owens' turn last week and Barber's the week before.
Things are clicking now for this Cowboys' offense. Call it Romo's return from the pinkie injury, or the emergence of Williams to the offense. Definitely playing the 49ers and Seahawks at home in consecutive weeks help, too.
Obviously, we all want to see if this offense can play like this when they face teams like Pittsburgh, the Giants, Ravens and Eagles. That's when we'll get a true test of what this offense can really be.
But for now, all we have to go on is what we've seen so far. And as of late, this offense looks ready to roll.
Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS
Nick Eatman - 
