Cowboys vs. Browns: Recap of Every Possession
The Cleveland Browns went into halftime with 13 point lead over the Dallas Cowboys. They also had the first possession of the 2nd half. A post explaining each possession of the first half can be found here.
Possession 1, Cleveland Browns:
After a bobbled kickoff by Cribbs, the Browns started on their own 10. Anthony Spencer put a nice hit on the first play of the 2nd half, despite the fact that Richardson had already picked up 5 yards. After an incomplete, the Browns faced 3rd and 5. A decent pass-rush forced Weeden to dump the ball to the RB in flat, but after missed tackled, Richardson picked up the 1st down. The browns continued to pound the ball with Richardson on 1st down; this time for a 4 yard gain. Weeden hot Richardson on yet another swing pattern for a another 5 or 6 yard gain. Even with Richardson on the bench, the Browns continued to run effectivel;y on 1st down; this time for 4 yards. On 2nd down, Weeden, facing no pass-rush, hit Little to move the Browns into Cowboy territory. After a short rush on 1st down, Weeden threw the ball away on 2nd down after after tons of time to survey the field. On 3rd and 8 from the Cowboys 41, the Cowboys only rushed 4 players, but DeMarcus Ware made a nice move that resulted in the Cowboys’ first sack of the day.
The Browns punt went into the endzone.
Possession 2, Dallas Cowboys:
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
After only netting 68 total yards on offense in the first half, the Cowboys opened the 2nd hal f with a 12 completion to Bryant and then an 11 yard rush by Jones. On first down from the Cowboys 40, the draw to Felix Jones was stopped for a 1 yard gain. On 2nd down, Romo finally connected with WR Miles Austin on a crossing pattern after a blitz from Cleveland. Romo went right back to Austin on a short route for a gain of 4. On a 2nd down play that Romo was under pressure, the Browns were called for a personal foul.
The Cowboys then had 1st and 10 on the Browns 23. On first, Dunbar ran inside for a gain of 4. On second down, the Cowboys again failed to pick up the blitz and Romo was sacked again. On 3rd and 13, LT Jeremy Parnell was called for holding. Romo then faced 3rd and 24 from just inside the 40; Romo hit Witten for a medium gain to give Dan Bailey a chance at a 44 yard FG.
Dallas Cowboys 3 – Cleveland Browns 13
Possession 3, Cleveland Browns:
The Cowboys tried what looked to be a terribly executed onside kick. The Browns recovered the kick and started the drive at their own 44. After two straight rushes, the Browns faced 3rd and 4. DeMarcus Ware was slow to get up after the 2nd down play.
On 3rd and 4, the secondary, somewhat surprisingly, maintained good coverage despite a decent pass rush and Weeded was forced to throw and incomplete.
Possession 4, Dallas Cowboys:
Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE
After the Browns punt, the Cowboys started their drive at their own 11 yardline. Romo continued with his second half habit of sticking to a qshort drop and quick pass to hit his receiver for a short gain. He followed that up by going long to Dez Bryant for a gain to the 47 yard line. Romo then went back to the short drop and threw a quick out to Bryant for a gain of 7. On 1st down, Romo hit Ogletree on a 10 yard curl. On the next play, Ogletree tried to call long, but he was molested by the Brown CB for a pass-interference penalty and a Cowboys 1st down at the Browns 22. The last play of the 3rd quarter was another quick pass from Tony Romo to WR Dwayne Harris for a short gain.
END of 3rd Quarter.
Click on the next page for a recap of the 4th Quarter.