Cowboys Knock Off Rams 34-31 In Comeback Fashion
The Dallas Cowboys pulled off one of their greatest comebacks in team history to pick up a 34-31 win over the St. Louis Rams. With the win the Cowboys now have a 2-1 record on the young season heading into a difficult Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints.
The game started off rough with the Cowboys falling behind 21-0 in the first half. The Rams were able to take the ball down the field with ease on the opening kickoff for their first score of the game. Their next two scores came off a fumble by running back Demarco Murray, and an interception by quarterback Tony Romo.
Sep 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) forces Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) to fumble the ball during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The fumble by Murray resulted in seven points after the Rams put together a small drive finished off with quarterback Austin Davis throwing his second touchdown to start the game. The third score by the Rams was made by their defense when Janoris Jenkins returned a Romo interception 25 yards for a touchdown.
After the interception by Romo is when the Cowboys finally got their heads in the game and started chipping away at the lead. By the time half time rolled around, the Cowboys defense had finally started making stops and the offense started moving the ball to cut the Rams lead to 21-10 at the break.
Following halftime whatever was said in the Cowboys locker room worked. The Cowboys offense came out to start the third quarter on fire while the defense only allowed 10 points for the rest of the game.
The Cowboys first score after halftime was when momentum really started to swing in their favor. After slowly moving the ball on their first three plays, Romo made one of the sweetest play-action plays of his career, and found receiver Dez Bryant wide open 68 yards down the field for a touchdown.
After that, the Cowboys had the Rams defense on their heels for the rest of the game moving the ball with ease. They had scored on five straight drives going back to the end of the first half until they were able to take the lead when Romo found receiver Terrance Williams for a 12 yard touchdown grab to put them up 27-24 with around six minutes left to play.
Sep 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) scores a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Dallas Cowboys defeat the St. Louis Rams 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Following the touchdown by Williams is when the Cowboys defense really stepped up to redeem themselves. On the very next drive by the Rams, Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter stepped in front of a Davis pass for the interception and returned it 25 yards for the Cowboys final score on the day.
The game was not over then however. The Rams were able to get the ball back and drive 80 yards against the Cowboys worn out defense to cut the lead to 34-31 when receiver Austin Pettis caught a touchdown pass from Davis with right at two and a half minutes left on the game.
Instead of electing to go for an onside kick to get the ball back, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher made the right call to kick the ball deep with all three of his timeouts left. After moving the ball with ease for pretty much the entire first quarter, Romo and the offense sputtered and were forced to kick the ball back to the Rams right before the two minute warning.
After giving the ball back to the Rams is when the unthinkable would happen when Davis overthrew his man and Cowboys’ cornerback Morris Claiborne went up in the air and came down with the game securing interception.
Sep 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Cowboys defeated the Rams 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Claiborne had been victimized all game long by Davis. He even gave up the touchdown to Pettis that allowed the Rams to cut the Cowboys lead to three points late in the game so it was the right thing to do when Davis attacked Claiborne again on the final drive. Thing is Mo finally made a play on the ball that gave him his fourth interception in his career.
This was a huge win by the Cowboys heading into Week 4 with the Saints coming to Jerry World. The last thing the Cowboys needed to do was head into that game on a down note coming off a bad loss. Now that they have put together a nice little two game winning streak, maybe the Cowboys will have the momentum they need to return home and knock off one of their longtime nemesis in the Saints.