Cowboys look energized, Colts continue to struggle

Cowboys @ Colts Game Recap

Everyone knew coming into this game Sunday, first that the Cowboys look refreshed having Jason Garrett as the interim head coach, second that the playoff chances were over it was all about pride for the rest of the season. Fact is when you have that star on your helmet you are expected to leave it all on the field and now it seems that this team has figured it out. For Indianapolis you can say all you want to about the injury situation, it does matter but at the same rate costly mistakes have taken the Colts down the road that they are on. Manning in the past two games coming into this one has thrown 7 interceptions and they have suffered a couple of losses by the slimmest margin of points. The Colts are looking to turn it all around and the one thing that has gotten better is the defensive play but they have not had much help from the offense. At any rate this was an important game for both of these teams, for the Cowboys a push to show that Garrett is the man for the job, for the Colts a drive to keep the playoff hopes alive. Let’s get to the action.

In the first quarter the Cowboys got the scoring started capping off a 9 play 80-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run from Tashard Choice and to end the first David Buehler tacked on a 30-yard field goal for the Cowboys making the score Dallas 10, Indianapolis 0.

The second quarter began and it was not favorable for the Colts as Manning was picked off by Orlando Scandrick and it was returned from 40-yards out for a touchdown. The Colts finally got on the board as Manning connected with Pierre Garcon from 13-yards out for a touchdown, making the score at the half Dallas 17, Indianapolis 7.

The third quarter brought a spark from the Colts as Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning connected from 34-yards out for a touchdown. The Cowboys David Buehler connected from 46-yards out for a field goal and before the end of the third Sean Lee picked off Manning and returned it for a touchdown from 31 yards out making the score at the end of three Dallas 27, Indianapolis 14.

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The fourth quarter brought on a lot of action the Colts kicked off the scoring as Javarris James ran it from a yard out, with a twist as the Cowboys were ready to punt Taj Smith for the Colts blocked the kick and returned it from 2-yards out for a touchdown putting them ahead for the first time in the game. Dallas struck back with an 18 play 81-yard drive being capped off with a Jon Kitna touchdown pass to Jason Witten from 2-yards out. This play came after the Colts had a major goal line stand shutting the Cowboys down from their own 1 yard line, settling for a field goal and Eric Foster was flagged for leverage and thus the touchdown pass as the Cowboys were awarded a first down. Manning and the Colts marched down the field with purpose and tied the game with a Javarris James 2-yard touchdown run and we were headed to overtime tied at 35 all.

In overtime, it was like something out of a bad movie, as Manning dropped back to pass and he was picked off by Sean Lee, this was his fourth pick of the game and it was costly as David Buehler kicked a 38-yard field goal to end the game Dallas 38, Indianapolis 35.

Key Statistics:

Dallas Cowboys

Jon Kitna 18 for 26 167 yards 1 touchdown 0 interceptions

Tashard Choice 19 rushes 100 yards 1 touchdown

Miles Austin 4 receptions 47 yards 0 touchdowns

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning 36 for 48 365 yards 2 touchdowns 4 interceptions

Javarris James 6 rushes 18 yards 2 touchdowns

Reggie Wayne 14 receptions 200 yards 1 touchdown

This has been a tough stretch for the Colts and a really tough stretch for Peyton Manning as he has thrown 11 interceptions in the past 3 games. There are many injuries true, but the mistakes are really taking a toll on the offense and this is beginning to affect the defense. In order to right the ship the mistakes must be eliminated and the team must get healthy but right now the playoffs are distant the next game is the key.

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer