Cowboys' win takes bizarre to another dimension

Cowboys didn't crack Monday night, despite plenty of forehead-slapping moments - from Tony Romo throwing five interceptions to Romo losing a fumble, from Terrell Owens dropping a tying 2-point conversion pass to Owens dropping a long pass that might've set up a short field goal for the win, from the special teams allowing a kickoff return for a touchdown to blazing-but-injured cornerback Terence Newman getting caught from behind on an interception return.

They hung close enough to make a last-minute push, then had to keep hanging on when Nick Folk's 53-yard field goal to win it was called off because the Buffalo Bills sneaked in a timeout just before the snap.

Forced to do it again, the rookie did, giving Dallas a stunning 25-24 victory and a 5-0 record for the first time since 1983.

DAL v BUF 10-08-07 (Source: NFL.com)

Super Bowl Ads

My favorite ones:

1. Fist Bump (I still can't stop laughing)
   
2. Class Mencia
   
3. CareerBuilder - Promotion Pit
4. CareerBuilder Performance Evaluation
5. Snickers
6. Reception
7. Emerald Nuts "Boogeyma n"
8. Coca-Cola Videogame
9. Dalmatian - Spot Wink
10. Live the Flavor ($12 User-Generated Ad)
    

Congratulations, Indianapolis Colts -- SuperBowl XLI Champions!

The Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl for the first time since the franchise’s relocation to the Circle City in 1984 with a 29-14 win over the Chicago Bears in super-soggy Miami.

I am so happy for Payton & specially for coach Dungy - not because he is the first ever african-american coach to win, but for his personality, for the way he coaches. He calls it the "Gods way" - with faith in God and each other. WoW! I respect him so much. The team does too and I think that is reflected in his teams performance year over year and now the well-deserved championship. Payton manning is a future hall-of-famer. He is the best in the business. Well done Payton.

So, after the congratulations, let us go over the game:

Chicago’s Devin Hester put the Colts in a hole early, returning the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. The first quarter was most exciting and was full of turn-overs and drama.

The Colts answered at the 6:58 mark of the first quarter when Reggie Wayne broke loose in the Bears’ secondary for a 53-yard TD reception. Indianapolis settled for six points, however, when the extra point snap was bobbled.

Set up by a 52-yard run by Thomas Jones, Chicago went up 14-6 when Rex Grossman hit Mushin Muhammad in the end zone from four yards out.

The Colts pulled to within five at 14-9 with 11:17 left in the second quarter on a 29-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri, and took a 16-14 lead on Dominic Rhodes’ 1-yard TD run with 3:08 remaining in the first half.

After turnovers on consecutive plays by both teams gave the Colts the ball back in Bear territory, Vinatieri missed from 36 yards out on the final play of the half.

Vinatieri came through on the first possession of the second half, hitting a 24-yard field goal to cap a 13-play, 56-yard drive that ate 7:34 off the clock and put the Colts up 19-14. He then made it an eight-point lead with a 20-yarder with 3:20 left in the quarter.

Robbie Gould ended the Bears’ scoring drought with a 44-yard field goal with 1:18 left in the quarter.

With 11:44 remaining, Kelvin Hayden intercepted Grossman and returned it 56 yards for a score — one that held up after the play was reviewed — to put the Colts up 28-17.

The Colts’ defense intercepted Grossman and forced a turnover on downs on Chicago’s next two possessions, and kept the Bears nowhere near the end zone to end the game.

The Colts had the ball just over twice as long as the Bears, and dominated most every statistical category. Peyton Manning was named MVP after hitting on 25-of-38 throws for 247 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

With the win a lot of milestones were reached for the Colts:

1. It’s the second time in 35 years that they won the Superbowl.
2. It’s the first time they’ve won it as the “Indianapolis” Colts.
3. The Colts became the first “dome” team to win in an outdoor stadium.
4. Tony Dungy became the first african-american coach to win the Superbowl.
5. Dungy (Player - Steelers, Coach - Colts) became the only 3rd person in NFL history after Tom Flores (Player - Chiefs, Coach - Raiders) and Mike Ditka (Player - Dolphins, Coach - Bears) to have won the Superbowl both as a player and head coach.
   

Predictions for Superbowl 2006

Bears vs Saints : NFC Championship Game

Saints win this one... They deserve to. They have the best offense, coached by last year's Cowboys offensive coordinator - this year's coach of the year - Sean Payton - and are by far the most creative and exciting team to watch - and they play with so much emotion! (very much required to win playoff games)

Colts vs Patriots : AFC Championship Game

Colts better win this... they became my favorite team after Cowboys lost. I think this is going to be a thriller. This can turn out to be a more exciting game than the Superbowl 2006. Payton Manning deserves to play in the Superbowl (and win it).

Superbowl 2006: Colts vs. Saints

COLTS WIN IT ALL!!!

Go Colts...

Ro-mo-Oh-No

The worst 4th quarter for Cowboys: A fumble that leads to eight points. A dropped hold on a field goal. Critical mistakes doomed the Cowboys and Seahawks win 21-20.

It was 1:19 in the 4th quarter... only a "simple" field-goal attempt stood between Cowboys and the first playoffs win for them since 1996 - before the attempt I was thinking this is automatic, Cowboys will win it. But now I know that in NFL, you can't take anything for granted. You have to be efficient in all 3 phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams! Every play counts!

Gramatica was the kicker... Romo was the holder... the snap was good, but somehow the ball slipped from his hands... he failed to set the ball for Gramatica and then tried to out-run the defense for either the first down or the touch-down, but failed.

Romo... Oh noooo!!! :-(

I can' t believe what I saw tonight... the way Dallas Cowboys lost tonight's game is heart-breaking... So much work and great effort by the entire team - specially the way Cowboys defence played - all for nothing... nada... zippppppppppppppp!



I was a big Cricket fan and I got sick of watching India's cricket team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and stopped watching late last year... I have seen Cowboys do this in the 3 of the last 4 games - tonight's being the worst! I hope they don't make this a habit. Successful teams (and people) always learn from their mistakes and don't repeat them. Great teams (and people) not only learn from their mistakes, but they learn from other's mistakes.

It is unfortunate that Romo was not able to complete the FG play efficiently, but it'll be foolish to blame Romo for this loss. There were other opportunities that the Cowboys did not take advantage of and continued to commit mistakes, specially in the 4th quarter. The team has lots of talent and potential, but they need to work on discipline & fundamentals. They must cut down on the silly mistake & mindless penalties, specially when the game is on the line.

I am very disappointed and sad, but I have not lost the faith in my Cowboys. I know Romo & Parcells will come back strong next season and I really believe they have it in them to win the Superbowl 2008.

But tonight I feel bad & sad for the Cowboys players, coaches & the fans! :-(

NFL Playoffs Predictions (Wild Card Weekend)

Kansas City (9-7) @ Indianapolis (12-4)
Chiefs have one of the best running games in football with LJ in the backfield and also can pass a bit when necessary. Indy on the other hand, has such a poor run defense (ranks last in the NFL with 173.0 yards allowed per game) that they probably wouldn’t be able to stop a stoned Ricky Williams. But the Colts explosive offense can make up for their patchy defense. Indianapolis ranks 2nd in the league with 26.7 points per game and quarterback Peyton Manning ranks 2nd with 4,397 passing yards. Colts win 30-21

Dallas (9-7) @ Seattle (9-7)
As much as I love Tony Romo, his performance as of late has been woefully inconsistant and he definitely needs to be on if Dallas wants to stand a chance at winning. Furthermore, Dallas– as shown in last weeks game against Detroit– can’t stop the big play, and Seattle is full of big-time offensive players. But with Parcells' experience, Romo's creativity and a little bit of luck, Dallas wins this one. Dallas win 27-24

at Saturday, 3:30 p.m. CT on NBC The Chiefs (9-7) got the help they needed Sunday and earned a date with Indianapolis Colts (12-4) in the wild-card round of the playoffs. But it won't be easy for the AFC's sixth seed as they head to the RCA Dome, where the Colts completed their first perfect season at home since 1958 when the Baltimore Colts won the NFL championship. Still, the key for the Chiefs will be the matchup of running back Larry Johnson, who set an NFL record for carries this season with 416, against an Indianapolis defense that has surrendered rushing yardage in bunches this year.

at Saturday, 7 p.m. CT on NBC Despite owning the top wild card, Dallas (9-7) goes into January having lost consecutive games for the first time all season. The Cowboys also have dropped three of four since owning a two-game division lead in early December. The situation is equally disappointing for the Seahawks (9-7) , who needed a win in the finale to halt a 3-game skid. "Our record isn't what we had hoped, to be honest with you, but there's something about 9-7 being a lot better than 8-8," coach Mike Holmgren said. The teams have met 10 times, with Dallas holding a 6-4 edge, but this will be the first postseason encounter.

Cowboys - Going to the playoffs, but...

Dallas Cowboys are going to the playoffs for the first time in 3 years, but not with the momentum Championship teams have in December. They have been up and down after a shaky start. But after Tony Romo took over, I was very excited. I like this kid from IL. I think we can build a very good team around him. But the way they lost to Saints and Eagles just breaks my heart...

But I am a die-hard Cowboys fans so I will be watching them on Sunday... They play their last season game on Sunday against Lions. I know they will win it, but I really want is for them to clinch the division (that can happen with an Eagles loss). But I think Garcia and the whole Eagles team is playing with a lot of spirit...

Oh well, division leaders or not, who gives a crap? Cowboys are going to the playoffs and I am so excited. I think they'll end up playing Seattle... Can't wait! Get your popcorns ready!


(PS: Oh by the way, TO, stop dissing, start playing... and this is a team sport - you can will the Super Bowl by yourself - So can you please play with & for the team - once in your life?)

Roy Williams: Safety, Dallas Cowboys

I felt like writing about the player I always liked, but now, I have started to admire: ROY WILLIAMS, Safety, Dallas Cowboys (#31):

"Safety" (On-the-Field) -- Oh Hell No!
On the field the opposing players are never safe when Roy is there.... Nicknamed "Superman" & "Hammer", he is known throughout the NFL as a very intimidating presence in the Cowboys defensive secondary and can be a game changer with his bone-jarring hits. Williams injured multiple opponents with his "horse-collar" tackle before it was banned by the NFL. Due to this rule, critics of Williams are quick to point out that he is a dirty player. He may be a dirty player on the field, but off the filed, there is nothing dirty about this person.

"Safety" (Off-the-Field) -- Oh Thank God!
He is truly one jem of a person. Kids, single moms, and other people in need always feel safe when Roy is around, because they know he can be trusted to lend a helping hand. I was so touched to see his efforts off-the-field. There are so many NFL players that make millions of dollars but how many of them have the heart of giving something back to the community? Only handful...

After signing his first pro contract, Williams made a $100,000 contribution towards a new strength training facility at the University of Oklahoma, as a part of the school's new indoor workout complex. The new area, which carries Williams' name, complements the main Robin Siegfried Complex at the Switzer Center. As a member of the Cowboys 2002 Rookie Club - a program designed to introduce rookie team member to community service in the Dallas area - Williams participated in monthly charity visits to non-profit organizations serving children. He also participated as a guest speaker at the club's annual United Way Hometown Huddle event for 100 children involved with The Salvation Army. During the 2003 off-season, Williams served as a celebrity escort at the annual Children's Cancer Fund Fashion Show and Luncheon co-chaired by Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.

In July of 2004, the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation was formed with the goal of “enhancing the quality of life of low-income single mother households in the Dallas area.” According to statistics, Dallas has the largest percentage of single mother households in the state of Texas, ranking at 29%. Roy has eagerly pulled the weight of families in this difficult situation onto his shoulders.

Roy embraces his responsibility as a role model very naturally. Undoubtedly, his career will continue to prove top notch as he transforms from NFL rising star to Super Star.

Roy also loves to play the guitar, saxophone, and piano.