Cowboys make it two in a row

T.O. "unleashed" against San Fran

Unleashed was how Terrell Owens described his performance after the game. T.O. and the rest of his Boys had a big day against the 49ers as they rolled all afternoon long. Dallas dominated the game from start to finish, making it two wins in a row, and reestablishing themselves as a playoff contender. It was just the sort of game the Cowboys were hoping for, blowing out the opponent and making a statement to the rest of the league that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Going into the second quarter the game was actually still close. The Cowboys had failed to score on their first two possessions and were trailing the Niners 6-0. But on one huge play the Dallas offense set the tone for the rest of the day. Tony Romo went deep to Owens for a 75 yard bomb that put them up 7-6. From that point on it was all Cowboys in the first half. The Boys blocked a punt for a safety, kicked two field goals, and Romo threw another touchdown pass, this time to Martellus Bennet, to expand the lead 22-6 by half time.

Romo and company got right back to work on the first drive of the second half, driving 75 yards on seven plays in less than three minutes. Patrick Crayton became the third receiver on the day to catch a TD pass from Romo, a 10 yarder, and Dallas went up 29-6. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Cowboys defense continued to shut down the 49ers offense, holding them to a field goal and intercepting a Shaun Hill pass in the third quarter. The interception came immediately after Romo had thrown what was ruled to be a backward pass and a fumble, and erased an opportunity for San Francisco to get back into the game.

> Find a great selection of Dallas Cowboys hats & apparel online through Pro Football Fans or apply online for a Cowboys credit card!

The 49ers kept trying to make the contest competitive in the fourth quarter. Shaun Hill finally got his team six points when he connected with Isaac Bruce for an 18 yard touchdown pass with eight and a half minutes to go. By then, however, the Dallas lead had grown to 32-16. The Cowboys kept tacking on points, moving the ball effectively on offense and by the time San Francisco scored their second touchdown it hardly mattered. Dallas was up 35-22 with less than four minutes to go. They then put one last drive together that ate up the remaining time and put the game away.

Altogether it was a great day for the Cowboys, especially on offense. Tony Romo and Terrel Owens revitalized the chemistry that has made them a great duo over the past few years. On the day Romo was 23 of 39 passing for 341 yards and three touchdowns. T.O., who also proclaimed that the Cowboys will make the playoffs this year, had his biggest statistical performance of the season. He caught seven balls for 213 yards with one touchdown and had the game’s biggest play, a 75 yard touchdown that gave the Cowboys their first lead and helped set up the offense for the rest of the game. The Cowboys never looked back after that catch.

It was a big day for the Cowboys but there is still a tough road ahead. After the Thanksgiving Day game against Seattle, which should be another favorable match up, The Cowboys will face the Steelers, (road game) Giants, (home) Ravens, (home) and Eagles (road game). All four of those games will feature tough opponents and the Cowboys will be tested. One thing the Cowboys have been able to do in the past few years is string wins together, but they have had trouble winning the most important games. If T.O.’s prediction is to come true that’s something that will have to change.

By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com Dallas Cowboys Correspondent