Cowboys vs. Browns: Halftime Updates
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
Possession 6 (continued), Cleveland Browns:
On 1st and 10 from their own 48, the Browns continue pounding the ball with Richardson; another 5 yard gain. On 2nd and 5, the Cowboys defense finally made a play when CB Brandon Carr broke up a pass forcing the Browns 3rd and 5. The Cowboys were unable to get off the field after a bobbled pass by Gordon. Bruce Carter, on the ensuing first down, made a nice play by dropping the receiver after a screen for a 3 yard loss. The Browns, having converted 4 or their 5 3rd downs, then faced 3rd and 8; Wedden had a wideopen Josh Cooper, but Weeden threw a bad pass that Cooper couldn’t control.
The Browns successfully kicked a FG on 4th down.
Dallas Cowboys – Cleveland Browns 10
Possession 7, Dallas Cowboys:
After the 3rd consecutive touchback, the Cowboys started 1st and 10 on their own 20. The Cowboys opened with a quick pass to TE Witten for a 5 yard gain. AT this point, the Cowboys still have only 3 first downs (and 3 punts). On 2nd, down, Jones finally found some room to run on the left side, gaining about 6 and getting a 1st down. Two holding calls (on Dez Bryant and Jeremy Parnell) created another 1st and 20. A first down incompletion created 2nd and 20. Romo hit rookie WR Cole Beasley for 8. On 3rd and 12, Romo was flushed from the pocket, running fro his life, and sacked again.
A great punt went out of bounds inside the Browns 30.
Possession 8, Cleveland Browns:
Nov 18, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson (33) runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
On 1st down, the Browns pitched right to Richardson for what is starting to look like a routine 5 or 6 yards. A short drop and quick pass to TE Watson gave the Browns another 1st down. The Browns stick with Richardson on first down, and he gained another 4 yards. The Cowboys defense made their 2 or 3rd play of the day when OLB Anthony Spencer dropped the receiver for a few yard loss after a screen to force 3rd down. On 3rd and 8, the Cowboys finally blitzed, Weeden rushed the pass and it was incomplete, but a roughing the passer penalty on Orlando Scandrick, after coming in completely unblocked, resulted in another Cowboys’ opponent 1st down when they should have been punting.
On 1st and 10 from the Dallas Cowboys 40, the Browns continued to run the ball; this time for a 7 yard gain. More power football on 2nd down; 1st and 10 at the Cowboys 21. Luckily for the Cowboys, the Brown WR dropped a catchable ball on the next play to keep it 2nd and 10 at the 21. A great open field tackle by ILB Bruce Carter on Richardson, left the Browns with 3rd and 7. The Browns went hurry-up, the Cowboys got absolutely no pass-rush, but Morris Claiborne resulted in an incomplete. The Browns kicked another FG.,
Dallas Cowboys 0 – Cleveland Brown 13
Possession 9, Dallas Cowboys:
The Browns kicked off with 5:07 left in the 1st half. The Cowboys started at their 20 again. Romo was sacked on the first play from scrimmage after the entire offensive line looked like it was not blocking anyone. Tyron Smith left the game with an ankle injury; he was replaced by the inexperienced Jeremy Parnell. After a nice completion to Bryant, it was 3rd and 1. Felix Jones picked up the 1st down, barely. The Browns challenged the spot; the Cowboys 1st down was confirmed.
At this point, the Cowboys had 57 offensive yards on 22 plays.
Nov 18, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) is tackled after a catch by Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) and linebacker D
Romo hit Bryant for a short gain (great catch by Bryant to dig it out of the dirt). On 2nd down, Romo appeared to have Bryant open for a big gain, but he overthrew him. Defensive holding was called on the play to give the Cowboys a first down on their own 41 yardline. Operating out of the shotgun, Romo went back to Bryant, and managed another defensive holding penalty. With just under 2:30 seconds in the half, Romo hit Jones over the middle for a short gain; the Cowboys then went no-huddle and Romo hit Lance Dunbar for a 1st down at the Brown 41. On second and 10, Romo finally took a shot downfield to Ogletree, but it was incomplete, despite was could have been called a flag on the Browns CB. On 3rd down, Doug Free did his impression of a statue to allow the p-ass-rusher to drop Romo before he had a chance to anything other than the secure the ball. Another drive stalled.
Possession 10, Cleveland Browns:
With 1:31 left in the half, the Cowboys punt went out of bounds at the Browns 11. On first down, the Browns continued running the ball at will. After 2 straight runs, the Browns had secured another 1st down.
The Browns were content to run the clock out and take the 13 point lead into halftime.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was published minutes after the conclusion of the first half and therefore it is unedited.