Cowboys-Saints: Dallas Wins 24-17! Analysis of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good

DeMarcus Ware - Could this guy have played a better game against such a formidable opponent, after coming back from a neck injury that carted him off the field only six days prior? 

Two sacks, both of which caused fumbles, one of which sealed the game!  Ware was getting pressure all night long, along with his teammates who will be mentioned below, and showed everyone why he should still be considered THE premier pass rusher in the league!

Anthony Spencer - Cowboys fans have been missing Ellis's pass rush this season opposite Ware, although most of them have been happy with Spencer against the run.  Well tonight, Spencer recorded two BIG sacks on critical drives which stalled New Orleans in their tracks. 

Actually, Spencer would've had THREE sacks tonight if not for the defensive holding penalty on Scandrick, which negated one of them.  Spencer was huge for Dallas tonight opposite Ware, with their two outside linebackers recording four sacks on Brees!

Tony Romo - He crumbles in December and can't win big games right?  Tony made great decisions, great passes, and even moved the chains with his legs when he recognized the need to do so.  He did it all tonight, whether it was the deep pass, the intermediate, smoke, slant, pitch...you name it! 

And he did so without turning the ball over even ONCE to one of the most prolific defenses, and defenders (Sharper), at capitalizing on mistakes!  Romo played a masterful game and did everything his team could have asked from him...What a great game!

Marion Barber - Maybe that goal line stand against San Diego provided him with a little extra motivation?  Whatever the reason, there would be no stopping Barber tonight!  Barber had two TDs and 67 yards off of limited carries, one of the first game where Garrett actually used Barber and Jones almost equally. 

Barber made the most of his opportunities tonight and proved he still has A LOT left in the tank!

Mike Jenkins - Another great game from the new No. 1 corner in Dallas...yeah, I said it!  Not only does he cover his man VERY well, he ALWAYS look to make a play on the ball and comes up with crucial interceptions. 

He almost had two tonight, but the first one got away from him...He later made up for it though on the very same drive intercepting a would be TD by cutting off the pass.  Later, he had another awesome pass deflection on another critical drive as well.

Miles Austin - Does anyone still have doubts?  The new new No. 1 receiver of the Cowboys now has 11 TDs and over 1100 yards receiving, only starting in 10 games thus far!!!  He's already broken plenty of receiving records in Dallas, and I look forward to his continued progression and many more broken records still to come!

Ogletree and J. Phillips - The fifth WR and third tight end made some BIG plays for Dallas tonight, and helped make major contributions to this win.  I expect big things from both of these players in games to come, providing Dallas with fantastic depth at both of their respective positions.  They are both keepers or sure!

Felix Jones - While he didn't have any scoring plays tonight, he ran the ball very well with increased carries, and moved the chains with relative ease.  He also provided a nice return on what would've been the winning drive of he game, had Folk not missed the chip-shot field goal. 

Felix is proving how valuable he can be to the offense when used correctly and given enough carries.  He is a perfect complement to Barber's physical, aggressive style of play; bringing speed, quickness, and elusiveness to our running game.

Choice and Crayton - Both of these players had only one play during the game, but they were both critical third-down conversions that they executed perfectly!  Crayton made a fantastic grab on a low pass to move the chains, and Choice ran a wildcat play after a timeout, when N.O. knew exactly that was what we were going to do!  Great job by both of them.

and finally...

Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett - As much flack (deserved) as they've taken over the season, I think we also have to recognize when they do a great job coaching their team as well.  Wade's defense held the MOST EXPLOSIVE, HIGHEST SCORING offense in the NFL to ONLY 17 POINTS! 

A great job by the both the players and the play caller!  And, Jason may have finally received the memo on how to mix up the play calling just enough to keep the defense guessing, while still utilizing the best players on the team.  He was able to call a good mix of passes AND runs for this game, and also called up a BIG play at the perfect time early in the game to strike first and quiet the crowd.  Very good job tonight!



The Bad

Flozell Adams - His stupid penalty tonight could've been costly in the long run, and he was beat by his man on more than a few occasions; once allowing Romo to be sacked.  Flozell has become known as one of the dirtiest players in the league, along with the most penalized. 

It's becoming harder to forgive those transgressions now that he's getting older and no longer able to manhandle whoever is in front of him.

Roy Williams - He started off the game well, but then seemed to disappear until another crucial drop on third down in the fourth quarter, which would have extended Dallas's drive and allowed them to use up more of the clock, and even possibly score again. 

That drop could've been a turning point in the game for Dallas...it was THAT critical!  Dallas simply cannot rely on Roy to come through for them in the clutch, and I would have to believe that they will adjust their future play calling accordingly.


The Ugly

Nick Folk - No shocker here...I wasn't sure whether or not to even include him at all because I wasn't sure if he was still on the team or not by now.  It's kind of sad, but I can no longer understand any motive for keeping Folk around any longer. 

He has not been the same this year, and has lost ALL confidence, as was evidenced by his missing of a chip shot field goal that might have well been an extra point...and it was ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL!  Folk nearly cost Dallas a game that they had played so perfectly up to that point. 

Dallas's only mistake was relying on him whatsoever in that situation, although I understand why considering he made a 40+ yarder before the end of the first half.  However, looking at the pregame kicks he was shanking left and right even before his critical miss lets me know Folk has simply lost it, and it's time the Cowboys move on.