Ravens fly away with win over Dallas finale
photo credit: Traveling Fools of America
This was not the way the Dallas Cowboys wanted to end the last game played at Texas Stadium for owner Jerry Jones. After a 9-7 halftime score, the two defenses that were suppose to be so stellar started to fall apart Saturday night. Tony Romo threw 2 first half picks and with Marion Barber not playing, Dallas knew there was work to be done. But here came the Baltimore Ravens.
Willis McGahee broke free 77 yards for a touchdown when things got close late in the last quarter, then Le’Ron McClain refused to be outdone. He blasted off 83 yards for the game-sealing touchdown with 1:18 left, moving the Ravens past the Cowboys 33-24.
Tony Romo tossed touchdown passes to Terrell Owens and Jason Witten over the last 3 minutes-plus each putting Dallas within a couple of points. But the Ravens answered both scores with single-play scoring drives, both coming on runs up the middle against a defense that for the most part stopped the run all game long. When Romo’s last drive ended on downs, the Dallas faithful began to boo. More boos were repeated when rookie Joe Flacco took a knee and time ran out on the Cowboys.
Romo finished the game 24-45 with 252 yards and 2 touchdowns to go with 2 costly picks. Rookie Joe Flacco finished the game 17-25 for 149 yards and 1 touchdown. Willis McGahee had 8 rushes for 108 yards and 1 TD. Baltimore`s other star Le`Ron McClain had 22 carries for 138 yards and 1 decisive touchdown. Dallas`s playoff chances were simmered with this loss. They must now win at a hot Philadelphia team next week and get help from other teams.
December 21st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
maybe the cowboys came out flat because they didn’t have that sense of urgency. remember it had been rumored that jerry jones lobbied for this game against baltimore so as to close out the texas stadium’s farewell with a game that they knew they wouldn’t lose.they probably thought that the emotion of the day would carry them to victory if nothing else. and another thing i know most sports enthusiasts have heard the old cliche that sometimes the move that a team doesn’t make is the best move, well i’m sure glad that jason garrett decided to stay the hades where he still is. or we might be sobbing in our soup right about now. enuf said!