Cowboy's Can't Close Out Jets In Final Quarter!

The Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off a horrible 6-10 season. Came into East Rutherford, NJ, hoping to right the ship from last years disappointing 1-7 start. Dallas lost to the Skins last year when the game winning touchdown was called back because of a Dallas penalty. Unfortunately that was the last play of the game. Dallas struggled after that loss, as well as Tony Romo got hurt and missed the rest of the season. Even though Dallas was four and a half underdogs, they could not afford to lose to the Jets.

From the start of Sunday nights nationally televised game on NBC, the Cowboys drove down the field to score a touchdown to take the lead 7-0. Rob Ryan's Cowboy defense looked tenacious and was getting after the Jets offensive line and putting continuous pressure on Mark Sanchez. The Jets offense was a slow starting team all season last year, scoring only 34 points in the first quarter. Well that held true Sunday night, the Jets did not score in the first quarter and trailed going into the second quarter to the Cowboys 7-0.

The Cowboys defense was so impressive in the first half. The test was on the Cowboys defense from the start of pre-season to the beginning of the season. Knowing how complicated Rob Ryan's defense is, everybody wanted to see how they would perform against the Jets in East Rutherford, NJ. They held their own and continued to put pressure on the Jets offensive line and Mark Sanchez. However, with the Jets trailing the Cowboys 10-0, the Jets scored a late touchdown to end the half trailing10-7.

Through out the first half Tony Romo looked spectacular, he continued in the third quarter hooking up with Miles Austin for a thirty-six yard pass for a touchdown to take a 17-7 lead on the Jets. Nick Folk the former Dallas kicker cut the lead to 17-10, when he made a thirty-four yard field goal. The Cowboys could not move the football and was forced to punt the ball to the Jets. Mark Sanchez were trying to drive the football to tie the game. Sanchez threw an interception to Cowboys' linebacker Sean Lee, who was tackled at the one yard line. Cowboys took a 24-10 lead on Jones' one yard touchdown run.

Cowboys defense continued their tenacious defense holding the Jets and forcing them to punt. Romo and the Cowboys had a chance to put the game away. The Cowboys offense drove down the field, when Romo hooked up with Witten to get the ball inside the Jet's five yard line. Romo scrambled on third down and fumbled the ball away. Romo's fumble was crucial at that stage of the game. If the Cowboys' Romo did not force the issue and fumbled the ball away, they could have added three points to their lead.

That gave the New York Jets new life and they took it to the Dallas defense, driving down the field. Sanchez hooked up with Burress on a twenty-six yard pass for a touchdown. Dallas' lead was quickly cut to 24-17. The Cowboys could not move the ball and was forced to punt. The Jets blocked Matt McBriars punt and Trufant picked the ball up and scored a touchdown to tie the game at 24.

The Jets had a chance to wind the clock down to set-up for a field goal, but they were unable to move the ball. Dallas had excellent field position after the Jets punt. The first play of the drive Romo threw into double coverage to Dez Bryant and Darnelle Revis picked the ball off. The Jets ran four plays, then Nick Folk kicked the winning fourty-seven yard field goal to beat his former team 27-24.

The Cowboys did not just lose a close game, they fell apart at the seams. The Cowboys stopped an amazing 240 game win streak, when leading by fourteen points in the fourth quarter. Romo needs to play the game all four quarters.

"Tony it's not how you start the game, it's how you finish the game that matters."

You see Cowboy fans are used to seeing Dallas finish off their opponents in the fourth quarter, not giving them away. Dallas has been spoiled by five Lombardi Trophies, we don't expect our quarterback, who's supposed to be the leader giving up games in crucial moments.

"Romo here's my advice to you, don't keep forcing plays that are not there." If you are going to run the ball hold on to the ball with two hands. If nothing else throw the ball away and score points, instead of giving points away or allowing the other teams momentum to change.

I know it's not your falt that you have to follow behind two "Great" quarterbacks in Roger (The Dodger) Staubach and Troy Aikman, but reality sets in you are. They were both proven winners and they both held up the "Lombardi" trophy with that Dallas Cowboy pride. They both knew what the "Star" on the side of their helmets they wore stood for. Tony Romo, if you don't know by now it means: Greatness!!!!

"Tony if you want to be a part of "Greatness" you need to be a quarterback and leader that can play a full four quarter game. Most importantly quit making bone head plays and giving games away."