The Student of the GameGoing Beyond the Stats

So it’s the Dallas Cowboys again facing off against some team on Thanksgiving that’s a complete waste of space in a game whose high point is the biggest bully against the inferior opposition they faced being given some festively themed award presented by an overly hyped and under qualified sports personality. It looked to be more of the some was coming for this afternoon Thanksgiving match up until 2 weeks ago where the Miami Dolphins, under QB Matt Moore, took themselves out of the famously named “Suck for Luck” campaign and threaten to win a different title for the 2011 season – biggest playoff spot spoiler. And the Phish almost earned that title as the C-boys snuck by 20-19.
The first half had plenty of competition in it where the only TD scored was on a pass from the Cowboy QB and identity crisis sufferer Tony Romo who hit WR Laurent Robinson who was in for the injured WR Miles Austin. In addition to that, more Miami first half woes took place when K Dan Carpenter missed a field goal taking what should have been a half time 10-9 score to 10-6.
During the 3rd quarter, the Phins came storming back scoring 10 points which featured a strike from Moore to re-inspired WR Brandon Marshall who made his TD catch with a DB clawing at him throughout the effort in a obvious bout of pass interference. The Cowboys manage to answer back with another Robinson TD pass bring the score to 17-16 in the early 4th quarter.
A single point more than the Phins (or a missed FG depending on your point of view) is enough for the Cowboys to keep the foothold on top of the NFC East and effecting the playoff hopes of their division rivals the New York Giants and the long shot hopeful Philadelphia Eagles.