|
There were 127 plays in the Cowboys’ 31-28 win over the New York Giants. They weren’t all created equal. It’s never that way. Touchdowns and turnovers get most of the attention, but who wins or loses is often determined by plays that get lost in the shadows of those that command the most attention.
Here’s a look at five plays that shaped the Cowboys’ win: Play: Eli Manning completion
Situation: First-and-10 from Dallas 18
Score: Dallas leads, 24-21
Time: 1:05 left in third quarter Taylor's Take: Orlando Scandrick stumbled almost at the snap and Odell Beckham Jr. blew past him. He had 10 yards on Scandrick, but Manning looked right and never saw him. By the time he looked left again, the Cowboys were pressuring him and he dumped it off to Rashad Jennings for a 5-yard gain instead of an 87-yard touchdown to Beckham Jr. Play: Manning incompletion
Situation: Second-and-goal from Dallas 3
Score: Tied, 0-0
Time: 7:15 left in first quarter Taylor's Take: The Giants lined up with three tight ends and called a play-action pass. The Cowboys weren’t fooled and Scandrick tracked Manning the entire play was he rolled right. When Manning threw back into traffic, Scandrick broke on the ball and should’ve intercepted it. Instead, he dropped it and the Giants scored on the next play. You have to wonder how different the game would’ve been if Scandrick had intercepted the pass. Play: Cowboys challenge overruled
Situation: First-and-goal from Dallas 8
Score: New York leads, 14-10
Time: 2:21 left in first quarter Taylor's Take: Andre Williams went into the pile with the ball, and linebacker Anthony Hitchens came out of the pile with the ball. Replays indicated Barry Church had ripped the ball out, but officials apparently couldn’t determine whether he was down when the ball came out. The Cowboys challenged the play, but officials upheld the call on the field. The Giants scored on the next play. Play: George Selvie sack
Situation: Second-and-8 from Dallas 37
Score: New York leads, 21-10
Time: 8:06 left in third quarter Taylor's Take: After a Cowboys’ punt the Giants had the ball in great field position to add more points before the end of the half and deliver a knockout punch. Selvie rushed hard outside then spun inside just as Manning was trying to escape the pocket. He tripped up Manning for the Cowboys’ first sack of the game, creating a long-yardage situation on third down. The drive fizzled and the Giants punted. Play: Tyron Smith penalty
Situation: Second-and-nine from Dallas 45
Score: New York leads, 21-10
Time: 11:32 left in third quarter Taylor's Take: Jason Pierre-Paul gave Smith trouble all night. He rushed hard outside then cut inside, forcing Smith to hold him so he didn’t sack Romo. Romo rolled right then lofted a pass to Dez Bryant for a 39-yard completion tot he Giants 16. Instead of getting in position to score a touchdown, the Cowboys second-and-19 and eventually punted.
|
